River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-01-17

smile, nut what was really a half-hys-
terical. vain attempt: Once seated and
fortified with cup Of tea. she vas
more at ease, and the dinples that had
80 pleased Mr. Redmond on the way
down from Pittsburgh showed "a dispo-
sition to recover from their fright and
take their accustomed places in cheek
and chin. OF course, the mistake was
discussed.
You would probably have suspected
something wrong" said Mr.. Brown,
''but for the fact that my friends, who
have just joined me here, have neg
lected to place their names on the
card in the vestibule."
Miss Brown devoutly wished that
they had not been so negligent, but she
realized the awkwardness of express
ing the wish that she might have been
spared the hospitality which she was
at that moment accepting. il not en-
joying. so she answered with nom
committal smile. Then followed
the explanation from the guest
tn her brother and his wife bad
Just removed TO new quarters that
week. Her letter accepting an invita-
ton to visit them had been sent to her
brothers place of business. but a dis
patch notifying him that she would
arrive one day earlier than she had at
first intended had been sent the night
before to his house, as she supposed.
"Oh, then. this is your dispatch?"
said Mr. Brown, producing one received
the day before. Il wondered what my
sister was doing at Pittsburgh. 1t is
signed E. Brown. My sisters Christian
name is Ellen"
And mine is Esther" said Miss
Brown. II signed the dispatch thus,
in hopes that the people at the tele-
graph Office would not know that the
message came from woman. / think
people are apt to neglect women's bust
ness" she added.
The gentlemen mildly protested
against the suspicion of any such I'M
gallant conduct on the part of their
sex. and Mr.. Redmond showed a dis
position to ascribe To all men a chiv-
alrous regard for punctuality in all
things involving the interests of
women.
Celia remained in the room through
out the dinner, save when she went to
answer the hall dOOr-bell. The hrst
ring was that OF messenger boy, who
reported that there was no Thomas
Brown at the corresponding number
on Spruce street or Arch street. This
was not communicated to Miss Brown.
Celia's second exit was followed by
noises that Enthusiastically proclaimed
the arrival of a trunk. Miss Brown
looked distressed at the sound, but
Redmond cOughed while Brown and
Benton talked to their guest with UNI
wOnted animation. This diversion gave
Celia, with whom Miss Brown had left
her baggage receipt, time to quiet the
expressman, sign his book ana hustle
him out of the house. Immediately
after dinner the gentlemen excused
themselves and started out to prose-
cute the search for the missing brother.
Haven't any heart in this pursuit.
said Redmond I'D much rather she
shouldn't find her frie nds for a week.
You'll know her good many weeks
before she gives you another such kiss
as surprised you this afternoon" said
Benton.
will you fellows forget the ro-
nance OF the situation for moment?"
said the practical Brown, land give
counsel as to how we're to find my
COMPOUNDED namesake. There's a
whole nation of Browns in the direc-
tory. so that's a vain thought.
II have it," cried Benton, excitedly.
Didn't she say the letter giving the
address was from her sister-in-law?"
Yes, in chorus.
And she copied the address directly
from the letter?n
Yes, said Brown, that's why she
was so dead sure of it."
Haven't you noticed" continued
Benton, that all women write their
ones and 'sevens alike?"
Il believe they do said Brown,
and | think | see your drift; you sus-
pect my doubles address to be No.
IL Walnut stree
Exactly"
Il am afraid you're right" said
Redmond, also lets get down there
and test the theory"
While this colloquy went on in the
lower vestibule Miss Brown sat miser-
able above stairs. Celia had assured
her that the gentlemen would not re-
turn that night unless they found her
brother There's nobody here but me
and the cook, miss" she continued, by
way of further comfort, land I'll sleep
right next you.
And I've driven those poor men
from their homes!'
''Oh. miss, never mind that. Many
a time they stays out half the night,
anyhow. particularly Mr.. Redmond,
who's just little gay"
Il can't believe any harm of gentle
men who are so kind and thoughtful,
Celia said Miss Brown. with a new
pang at the trouble her blunder was
costing these strangers.
'-Oh, no. Miss. no more would /, but
gents viii be gents. Hank, she added,
they're coming in now.
Il think l hear a woman's skirts on
the stairs" said Miss Brown, with a
hopeful start. There was an instant's
delay, a knock, to which the door
promptly opened and then Miss Brown
was in the arms OF her sister-in-law.
Poor dear, said Mrs. Brown, sooth-
ingly, what hours of anxiety you have
had. But how ever did you take my
one for 'seven?' "
There We're thanks aud leave-taking,
and Miss Brown was triumphantly car
ried of out Walnut street. Redmond
looked on with rueful couutenance, but
frightened up as he thought OF the sun
day dinner that he aud his fellow bach
elors were to eat with their new ac-
quaintances.
so your double knew your brother
Dick at Yale?" said Benton, as the men
sat down to beer. pipes and a discus
sion of the days adventures. Mr..
Brown explained that he and his name
sake had discovered an additional bond
in the shape of n distant cousinship.
Furthermore he annoyed Redmond
nv INSISTING that Mrs.