Connecticut western news., 1889-11-27
MY MASKED HERO.

MY MASKED HERO.
 Being in that condition of social degradation known as .sshabby gen. teci" = that is, being too shabby to walk in fashionable thoroughfares and mingle with wealthier people, and too genteel to partake of the public gener- osity-l betook myself few weeks ago to the east side of the city, and permitted quaint, comfortable look ing little landlady to install me in a room ten feet long and five feet eight and one-half inches wide. I knew that the room was five feet eight and one half inches wide, because that measure ment is my height; and when, in fit of sybaritic indolence, I lay down crosswise on the bed the top of my head touched cue wall and my feet the other, discovery which, in my super stitious mood, regarded as an omen that I had at last found that place in society was best fitted to fill.
 In such Q miniature dormitory there could be but little furniture, and there was but little. Here is the inventory: A bed, compound article of toilet table and chest of drawers, chair, a looking-glass and toweLhorse.
 In the first drawer of my toilet table lay an exploded pistol cartridge and a quantity of tobacco, from which dis coveries deduced that my predecessor must have been an excellent judge of the weed, and indulgcd his taste ex- travagantly for one in his position.
 As lay back in my chair, in the full enjoyment of reflective mood, super induced and harmonized by the good tobacco of my unknown friend, 1 es- pied in the corner near the toilet-table a little piece of black -e}otiir pr frg further into the nook found its fel- low. The piece would just have filled the eye-holes of a mask. Quoth I, sotto voce: "The previous occupant of this room was gay and economical withal, for here is evidence that he has been masquerading, and that, too, in mask of his own manufacture"
 Having been educated to a profes- sion in which the necessity for putting ssthis and that" together frequently arises q mean the bar), wrapped my discoveries in paper, subscribed the en- velope with my name, and deposited them in my private pocket; "For," thought l, ssmany q tragedy has been traced with a slenderer clue, and many thrilling romance has had f1imsier foundation. Who knows but that this smoker of tobacco had as critical 8 taste for beauty as for the weed! May it not be that his heart is given to some high-born beauty, and he waits for wealth to offer her his hand?"
 Dozing dreamily under the narcotic influence, l settled it all to my owr satisfaction, as thus: This gentleman! name is Ralph de Mortimer-with til, possibility of title-and he is O. ancient and noble family. He is tall stalwart, handsome, has mutton-choI whiskers, and teeth of exquisite white ness and regularity. He has been en gagged to be married to the surpassing ly lovely and accomplished Miss Ad, We're de Vere-in low-necked dres -the flashing eyes, raven hair, Juno nian bearing, and no end of jewel being inseparable and understood con comitants. He was incarnate gene rosity and became answerable for friend. Tie great financial crasl rained his friend, but left him just a he was before, minus colossal forum gone to the dogs.
 She loved him still, and would hay married instantaneously had not
 sordid papa, of pompous corpulency forbidden the banns. De Mortime had then betaken himself to this littl room, and, with noble regard for hi feelings, had emerged from it only a night, and then only to walk the stree opposite the great mansion at tn West End and watch the light in hi Dulcinea'S chamber until it's exceedin dimness proclaimed that his mistres was taking her repose after havin tired her symmetrical little jaws in
 vapid, moony conversation with youn, Fitz-Plantagenet. his ancient rival Then he wended his way by deviou paths and tortuous windings to thi room and tried to comfort his yearn ing heart with hope. His great blac eyes grew moist as he experienced tn affliction which lay heavy upon him and, like David of old, he wetted hi pillow with tears.
 But when the sun-Homer's sHand maiden of the mprn''-arose, an secured the murky sky into brillial ~ hue, he got out of bed-right foot firs for luck-washed his face. smiled
 great genial smile of intelligence, an robcd himself with an aiacrity that bt tokened new idea and determillatio