Connecticut western news., 1889-11-27

Then he went on and with his last money (such metaphysical beings arc superior to the vulgar appetite for breakfast, dinner and supper) pur- chased yard of black cloth and pennyworth of elastic. Returning, he borrowed pair of scissors, and nee- dle and thread, from the pretty and industrious seamstress on the ground floor, and made a mask, muttering to himself in dulcet tones, "This, is the evening of the masquerade, and, come veal. come woe, I'll see my love to- night"
 When the appointed hour had ar- rived, De Mortimer sailed forth, and at length, under cover of throng of masquers, entered the halls at the We're de We're. He sought, found and ac- costed his fair mistress; but in the midst of an enraptured dialogue that deceitful rogue, Fitz-Plantagenet, recognized his voice and betrayed him. Rushing from the house, he was followed by his well-hated rival. In secluded portion of the street, when the varlets of the We're de Veres had given up the chase, De Mortimer and Fitz-P -Plantagenet met face to face, and the rejected lover forced his rival to draw. The reports of the pistols still echoed, and the flashes had scarce ly left the muzzles of the pistols, when De Mortimer fled.
 As he lay down that night, despite the exciting scenes through which he had passed, his heart beat joyfully !; his brain teemed with visions of celes- tial happiness in the future, when the bell rang vigorously and youthful voice inquired, in shrill pertinacity, for "Sir Ralph de Mortimer"
 He leaped from the bed and opened the door one inch-his dishabille for bade his opening it furthcr-and re- ceived telegram informing him that his uncle in Scotland had considerably died in the nick of time, good old soul, leaving him all his broad acres and his title of Earl.
 Then followed these emotions: Be- wilderment, joy, grief, hilarious sor- row; and these facts: Immediate evac- uation of this little room, visit to the mansion of the We're de Veres (reunion with the corpulent paternal consent) marriage at St. Georges, and happi- ness.
 Fully satisfied that my riddle was solved, and that from the slender clue had worked out truthful solu- ton of the problem which had bothered me mentally not a little, l slept the sleep of just man who had done virtuous action and smoked ex- cellent tobacco, into the possession of which he had come by piece of good fortune.
 Waking up in the middle of the night looked into the darkness, made more apparent by the ghost of flick ering night-ight, and saw standing on the opposite side of the street, intently regarding the house, policeman.
 "But his regard regarded not
 That is to say, not then."
 It was only when, day after day or, more correctly speaking, night after night-I marched out to take the air which my shabby gentility denied me day by day, that I noticed the jealous solicitude with which I was followed sometimes by one man, sometimes by another, but always by some one Then commenced to wonder why one of the most innocent of mortals should thus be made an object of sur veillance. True, I had not walked al my days in the odor of sanctity; bu no clause of the criminal code had infringed, no creditors could find i thus worth their while to watch me I was not Communist. I had no eel lar in which to store murderous weap ons. thought of the sbirri of Italy of the gendarmerie of France, bu still was at loss to account for it No clue could catch to the mystery But, having determined the fact that was watched, I resolved to apply fo an explanation at the nearest polio, station. Thither I went accordingly
 "Mr. Sergeant" quoth l, ''can yo, tell me why it is that at night Tn, chamber window is watched by you minions of the moon, and that al my incomings and outgoings, and m, wanderings to and fro, are scruti nized as thoroughly as though I wer criminal?"
 "No," quoth he.
 "Then," said I, ''I wish you'd cal the dogs off; I prefer to go where list unheeded."
 "Where do you live?'' said the Ser geant.
 "At No. l2 Queer street," said I.
 "Oh! oh!" said he.
 And he laughed as though som theme of extraordinary iiocularity ha' occurred to him. When he finishe, one hilarious explosion he began an other, until he devoured whateve hilarity had been given to him. The