The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-03-29

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wonder | have pleasant associations
with it?"
"Well, rather not. But how did you
always manage to strike that one day?'
wait until | finish this letter to my
wife and | will tell you" replied
Philip. That nuisance of Leland suit
coming on just this week prevents my
going on to Chicago to spend the day
with her. She has to stay with her
mother, who is quite i'll"
An hour or two later the two men
were dining together. The arguments
upon Protection and Free Trade, some
footlight gossip, a society scandal, all
having been discussed, Dan insisted that
Philip should tell his ''love story"
81 am not very great hand at talk
ing of my own affairs" Phil said, ''but
this day being such a special anniver-
sary, believe will bore you"
Dan settled himself to listen, and
Phil began: Just four years ago l was
in Chicago. l had been spending several
months in Santa Barbara, and had
promised Lewis Gordon, friend of
the Santa Ynez Valley, that l would,
when in Chicago, call upon his sister,
who was visiting some Gordon relatives
on the North side. l was only in town
one day and night, but found time to
call. Miss Gordon was at home, and l
sent up my card on which Lewis had
written: Welcome him for my sake.
Lewis Gordon
SIT was about five o'clock on as sunny
day as this, but the room was SO dark
that could hardly distinguish the fig
ure of girl who came running up to me
with the cordial welcome Lewis had be-
spoken. | could not tell whether she
was pretty or not; she was dressed in
some stylish street costume, and had
her hat on, and l only knew her voice
was the sweetest had ever heard. AS
She held on to my hand and drew me
toward tho window, she was saying:
You tease-of course you could not fool
me, even if it is the First of April. ! am
so glad 10 see you, and only wish Leila
was here Leila was Lewis sister.
Il was not half as much surprised at
my greeting as the girl herself was
when she saw that she had hold of the
wrong mans hand. Lewis was ire
mendous tease, it seems, and they had
been expecting MIN East for some time,
and thought he had at last arrived, and
this was his joke in honor of the day.
I'VE had quito a laugh over the meet
ing and a pleasant but short call to-
gether, for Miss Mary, Lewis cousin
who, by the way, proved to be very
pretty and attractive-was just about
starting for Lake Forest to visit some
friends. | met her mother and sister,
told them all l knew of Lewis, and
after helping Miss Mary into the car
riage and promising to call upon my
next visit to Chicago / inwardly
vowed would be soon-I babe them all
goodbye.
within four months had business
in st. Louis, and stop in Chicago was
made to call at Mrs. Gordon's You can
imagine my surprise and annoyance
! when l found their house was closed,
and no one of the three or four persons
whom l interviewed could give me any
information as to their whereabouts.
Some one suggested they had gone to
Europe; and as my acquaintance did
not warrant my making special in
quiries, disguised my disappointment,
and went to work to forget pretty Mary
Gordon as best could.
1.-THE next First of April was beast
ly, rainy day, and l was glad my writ
ing kept me busy in the Office. About
noon in walked Joe Streeter. You
never saw him?" Dan shook his head.
HE was clever English fellow" con-
tinued Philip, whom l met in Switzer-
land, and afterwards knew quite we'll
while he was in New York for year
on business for the Sun Insurance Com
pany. He was growing at the weather,
having ride into Westminster before
him that afternoon, and begged me to
go with him. L shouted at the idea,
and told him was not going out until
went home to dinner.
''As he got up to leave he suddenly
asked: Did you see the notice OF
Thomas Maxwelrs injury day or two
ago? 1t was in the Times
II replied emphatically: 4 never
read the Times now That was one oil
our topics for quarreling, but he did not
catch Inc up as usual only said: Pretty
sad affair Maxwell fell from the plat.
form of street car and broke his arm.
! He was taken to st. Luke's.'
"'To St. Luke'sr exclaimed; where
is his family? thought they were all
! back from Europe
81 don't know any thing about them,
said Joe; 4 hardly ever see Maxwell
now. Some one told me he mentioned
your name and wished to see YOU
"'To see me? That is funny I said,
most extraordinary. You know, Street
er, l was never intimate with Maxwell,
although we camped out together In the
Adirondacks; there was no reason why
he should wish for me-
''Joe shrugged his shoulders and said
If you won't drive with me you had bet.
ter go up to the hospital and see Max
WELL With that he went out.
Il tried to go on with my writing, but
thought of that poor chap lying in the
hospital. Suppose he wanted me to dc
some legal work for him, or to write tc
his friends? Then coaxed myself into
thinking it was perhaps not visiting-day
al st. Luke's. knew there was some
red tape about people getting in to see
! the patients, but that was absurd-rich