The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-05-10
numbers on the houses indicated that he

reel along The pavement or run into one
of tho many shade trees or lamp posts.
in this cherished hope, as
the gentleman continued calmly on his
way with no perceptible indecision of
step, no difficulty in maintaining his
equilibrium, no misunderstanding with
the surrounding inanimate objects, the
boy pursued his way soliloquizing
audibly:
my eye! If that ere Mr.. North amt
q queer chap"
every fine street." ran North's solil-
oquoy, us he sauntered down the broad
pavement of fagstones bounded by
smoothly-cut grass and tall shade trees
on one side and ornamental iron fences,
small parterres and stately residences
on the other. "My friend Mrs. May
nard is undoubtedly something of an
aristocrat, judging from her surround
ings. BY the way, what does she want
with me?"
He stopped short here, as the fact
suddenly occurred to him that the lady
in question did not want anything of
him. He laughed aloud in his amuse-
ment at the thought.
"Could l become involved in serious
consequences by this masquerading?"
he presently asked himself.
"No, don't believe Pm liable. How
can 1 be? l might be charged with
false pretenses; and yet, what false
pretenses have l made? By all the ira
ditions of my family I'm Allan North,
and that is all that I've yet claimed to
be. Peopleall call me by my name as If
they never doubted my right to be thus
designated. II there is any man in
X or elsewhere who has better
right to that name than have let him
bring forward his claim, with vouchers
thereof, without delay! True, never
was in X, never saw one of these
people before in my life, but what does
all this amount toP am driven back
TO my original resolutions. will drift
little longer. am sure to come out
somewhere, if only on the rocks of de-
struction. Mrs. Maynard is my present
hope. We shall see whether she will
set matters straight or complicate them
still further"
He walked on slowly for few
moments, glancing up at the numbers
on the houses until he came TO thirty
three.
Pausing with his gloved hand resting
on the iron gate in front of the resi-
dence bearing that number, he swept a
hasty but critical glance over the place.
1t was small detached villa, evident
ly the abode Of wealth. The mansion,
picturesque structure of brown stone,
with balconies and bay windows half
buried in ivy, stood back with state
ly exclusive air in the midst Of tower
ing elms. A straight, wide pavement
of Hagstones led directly from the gate
to the terraced steps; on either side lay
a velvety lawn ornamented with trees
and shrubbery and fountains.
"No. 83 Delaplaine street. and here
it is" reflected North, as he fingered
unaccountably at the gate. 'Let me
seel" He drew out his watch ant
glanced hastily at II. 1.-TWO, exactly
am punctual to the second. wonder
II such rare promptitude is one Of the
shining virtues Of the individual whom
am 30 strangely personating? Non
sensel believe am growing nervous
II will never do TO show the white
feather now. Having undertaken u
make this call, will persevere TO the
endl'
He had entered the gate, walked VI
the wide pavement, assembled the step.
Of terrace and veranda, and rung the
bell by the time he had finished thes'
reflections. He just had time u
smooth his gloves and settle his snowy
cuffs, adjust his coat, stroke his mus
tache affectionately and compose hi
features into an agreeable smile, wheI
the door swung noiselessly open and {
deferential old footman stood bowling
low before him.
"Is Mrs. Maynard at home7" inquired
North, with the calm, assured air Of {
friend of the family.
"She is, sir. win you please walk in
sirp"
North walked in, as matter o.
course. That was recognized part o
his programme. He was conducted
through dim, elegantly appointed
hall, and ushered into a still more dim
elegantly appointed drawing-room, ant
there left TO the tender mercies Of thu
darkness and the furniture with thu
cheering information that Mrs. May
nard was expecting him and would b
down soon.
"Confoundedly dark place" grum
bled North, as he groped his way TO th'
nearest chair. "If daylight is too ex
pensive a luxury here, why don't the,
light the gasp I've great mind Il
suggest 1t to my friend, Mrs. Maynard
only I'm afraid she might not receive tn
suggestion In the same kindly spirit II
which II was offered. Oh, / don't ex
actly enjoy this, after all! /
looks like carrying the thing too far.
believe I'll conduct myself with Ger
tain degree Of eccentricity, so that II
case of detection can plead emotiona
insanity as my excuse. Singular Freal
OF an Insane Man Harmless Vaga
ries Of Lunatic.' That's the way tn
reporters would write up the affair
Heigh-hol here she comes"
CHAPTER III.
Ant ST.