, 1886-01-20

all this has passed before Arthur Wyins
agonized gaze. and shaking off the hor-
ror that stiffens him. he dashes across
the street, through the door stApdipg ajar,
past some one In the vestibule, and up
the unlighted stairs to the passageway
on the second floor. Gaining the fateful
door with a bound, he stops short 10 re
cover breath and listen Not a souudi
Absolute, awful silencel Sick at heart
for what this stiffness may mean, he
filings the door wide open-and Is con
fronted in the brilliantly lighted room
by two figures who spring to their feet
and stare at him. There are suspicious
signs which make 1t probable that he
has interrupted a love scena, and II is
certain that the girl who now stands
looking at him in surprise and confusion
Is not his Mabel.
Her companion was the first to o
himself. What the what do you
mean, anyway, by bursting in here like a
c%yclonef' he said, angrily.
@I-Ibeg your pardon began Wylis,
and stopped short, blushing like n girl
over his absurd position. Then seeing
that something more In the way OF ex-
PLANTATION was expected@"I| thought 10
was murder he added.
Thought what was murderin de
manded the young man contemptuously.
@Your-your shadows stammered
Wyllis.
The other looked as II in doubt whether
to conclude him insane or intoxicated,
but before he could make up his mind
the door was opened again, and n gay
voice was heard to exclaim: What
makes Maggie so economical of the gas
tonight, | wonder. / was almost-why,
DickiN-as she entered.
ooh, this is your exclaimed Wyllis in
relief, ms he turned to recognize the
pretty face and yellow hair OF the true
Shadow.
~oh, Belli Do you know himf" from
the other girl; and simultaneously from
Dick
$50 this gentleman is an acquaintance
Of yours, is he's"
The newcomber blushed crimson. Il
! have seen him." she answered, eva
sively.
Then perhaps you'll explain him."
said Dick, still indignant, "for he goes
and dramatic in his style as he is to-
nightin
II don't know getting still more COW
cred with confusion under their gaze.
ave never-never met him, but l be-
lieve he-he lives opposite"
"Ahl Lives opposite, does her l begin
70 smell a mice" said slangy Dick.
swell, Miss Bell, Judging from the muir
der-and-shadow business just now. l
can't say | think he's n very desirable ac-
qunintanco for n damsel all forlorn."
~oh, Bell / do hope you haven't been
doing anything i%mprudent, alone by
yourself here" murmured the other girl,
with an elder-sisterly readiness to dis
trust the wisdom Of her junior.
"Of course haven't, Clara" retortei
Bell, n flash Of anger in her blue eyes
showing that she was not at all celestial.
Wyllis was finding the situation I'M.
bearable. He felt like n fool, and feared
he must look like one. And this in tho
presence OF the divinity whom he had for
weeks been adoringl He clasped his hat
convulsively and struck into the conver
sation.
"Allow me to explainl IL think I can
make ii all clear
II wish you would, then, for I give it
up" said Dick. "Wait a minute, thought
II you're sure you're not wrong any
way" and he look significant, suppose
You just sit down while you tell III the
conundrum. Might as well take it easy,
chr Don't be afraid, girls" in n stage
inside, "I'm between him and YOU
Wyllis, for all his even temper, glared
at the irrepressible Dick, but accepted
his invitation, and began an explanation
which was interrupted by frequent peals
Of laughter from the young man.
$50 you thought l. wanted to murder
heriH he explained. II say. Clara, il
that's the way our spooning looks to out
siders-"
But here Clara swept down upon him
wrathfully and reduced him TO silence.
When the story was finished and they
had exchanged cards Dick said thought
fully; Are you anything to Eugene
Wyllis, OF Philadelphia; I see you spell
your name the same way, with n ~
"Yes," said Wyllis, eagerly, II have a
cousin Eugene Wyllis in Philadelphia.
He is in the grain business.
"rhat's the man. Why, / know him
very we'll. Let's sec, now" continued
Dick, suggestively, ff you know any
uther friends Of miner"
who are some Of your friendsi" asked
Wyllis, overjoyed at this unexpected
opening of n better knowledge OF the
Shadow.
Dick began to run over some names Of
ncquaintances common to himself and
Eugene Wyllis, and at the third Arthur
Wyllis stopped him.
tom rutherford and are old chums."
he said. Here is n letter / got from him
yesterday. Read it-no, really, / insist -
as Il favor TO me-"
mo, mo; thnt would be carrying the
joke a little too far, said Dick, returning
tile letter, but not until his quick eye had
discerned both address and signature.
-Well. Mr.. Wyllis," he went on, humor-
ously, references exchanged as the
advertisements say. My names Richard
Ellery, Familiarity called Dick; my occu-
patton that of commission merchant. As
for my charms OF mind and person, your
cousin or Tom Rutherford win describe
them 10 you in the glowing colors mod
esty f0rhids me to use. This" waving
his hand showman-wise, ais Miss Clara
Deane, with whom / hope some day to
form n matrimonial alliance, the same
young lady o fancied 1 wanted TO
mur-. But never mind that nowi And
this-where are you, Belf-this is our lit
tie sister Isabel, who has been living here
for the LOST three months, cultivating a
fancied talent foLpusic, as you may per.
ceive by her piano there. But I forgot,
the piano Is a sensitive subject for you.
too"
u think, Dick putin Isabel Deans
with some haste, while you are explain
ing things, you might as well explain TO
me how you Appeared here 80 suddenly.
like
Like the handsome prince In the fairy
taleg"
No, more like the horrid clown In the
pantomipeF
my dear child, responded Dick, loft
fly ignoring the retort, tthe question you
propose would be On affair Qftime and
difficulty. We should have inquire
into the first causes Oh things, the prihci-
plee Of steam and motion, a. well as the
springs that move the huspap mipd~-
"Ohl Dick. how cap- yop be SO tire
somei- interrupted CLARA, 3Aqghng.
NV WHY cant $6a5ep h:s lshsn ysu