The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1890-05-20

village almost to stupefaction. The
tongues of the gossips moved but to pro.
dnce chilling whispers over it.
1t CHANGED that Hardy Telford was in
New York one night, where he FREQUENT
| ly went on short business trims. He was
strolling through the Hoffman House,
had entered the celebrated bar therein,
and was standing before noted painting
when he heard a voice behind him
which was identical with that of his
dead brother. Acold chill ran over him.
lie turned instantly, the room seemed
TO "hlrl rapidly round him. He reeled
backward against table, horror strick-
en- The voice had come from a Young
man, in a group of companions, who was
the exact fac-simile of Washington Tel
ford, even TO a mole on his cheek and q
scar across his chin, which had distin-
gulshed WashingtOn's features.
An awkward pause ensued, which was
employed by the most thoughtful of the
bystanders going to Hardy's aid, who
leaned tremblingly on the table, his
who had SO astonished him.
The silence was broken by the latter,
probably because he felt that Hardy's
gaze of frightened inquiry was directed
TO him in particular.
What is the matter, young man?" he
asked in a surprised tone.
Pardon me, L l." Hardy STAN.
mered, looking helplessly around him in
mute appeal for advice from the specta-
tors. Il can't understand it, sir; but
you are just like my brother, who died
five years ago."
His voice broke down, and he sank in
to chair by the table.
The questioner's face grew deathly
pale; he seemed at loss for words with
which to reply. Just at that juncture a
man who seemed to be lawyer pushed
himself hurriedly into the circle.
Touching the young man on the shout
der he said:
Condor, remember my advice! Don't
be rash; you are in no position to speak
to him. Let me speak" Then to
Hardy, with certain professional as
perity in his tone, he asked:
Twill you tell me your name, sir2"
Hardy Telford, was the answer.
"Where do you live?"
"At Melrose."
The lawyer paused on the seeming
verge of further inquiry, as if reminded
by the curiosity of the surging on-look-
ers of the appropriateness of the place
for such colloquy. He turned and spoke
a few words in an undertone to Condor,
whose pallor still fingered on his face;
then he turned to Hardy, and informed
him that he had room in the hotel,
and asked him if he would accompany
him and his client Condor thither.
Hardy consented, and followed them
in dazed sort of way, hardly con-
scious of what he was doing. In few
seconds they reached Mr.. Browns apart
ment. He politely gave Hardy seat
near him. Condor took chair near the
door. The lawyer began to question
Hardy, until his bewildered brain was
an intricate web of doubts, fears and
superstitious fancies, the like of which
had never before entered his brain.
Now and then came dazzling blaze of
hope that he had indeed found his dead
brother, which was quickly extinguished
by the vivid memory of seeing his dead
brothers. face in the churchyard. Then
Hardy would wonder why Mr.. Brown
should take such a marked interest in
his life, and why Condor should seem so
disturbed.
Brown adroitly drew the conversation
to close by proposing to accompany
90 fol lo
morning, if agreeable to Hardy. The
latter gladly consented. Nothing could
have suited his desires better. He felt
that there was an important and mex
plicable responsibility resting on him,
and was anxious to see Condor in the
birthplace of his brother, and before his
mothers eyes.
When the trio arrived at Melrose the
next morning, the news ran through the
hamlet like a sudden chill wind. Ex-
element was most intense in the crowd
round them, while they were waiting
for messenger to bear the tidings to
Mrs. Telford of the strange resemblance
of Condor to her dead son. The vii
layers, for the most part, were ready to
swear that Condor was Washington Tel
ford.
Brown was very uncommunicative,
though most observing; Condor was
very silent and apparently embarrassed
under the gaze of the assembly.
The crowd increased as it went toward
the Telford cottage. Mrs. Telford was
in the door, highly excited and pale.
With a startled cry she ran toward them
as they entered the gate and threw her
arms around Condon's neck, exclaiming:
''My boy, my SON! knew it. L knew
it,"
Condon's features were study in per-
plexity. he seemed to be in direst strug.
gle with his memory.
81 am afraid you are mistaken, good
woman" he faltered; 81 don't remember
you-Ican't remember any of you" look
ing around at the faces. 81 can't be
your son-there must be some mistake. I"
The old woman clung to him with a