Middletown transcript., 1893-09-09

Get the gentleman name Jlm."
A Young man with a flushed face and
his hat on the back of his closely-crop'
ped head instantly stood before me with
note book in his hand. [ became
aware that while supposed myself to
be nodding across the room to friend
1 had been bidding for the mirror.
did not intend to do so. / did not
need or desire the glass; but appre'
ciaie ed its value, knew it was bargain
and dreaded the general notice that
would be attracted to me if denied
the intention; so gave him my name
and that evening found the mirror my
exclusive property.
Like most old bachelors, l was fond
of adorning my furnished apartments
with things of my own.
A curious clock had been the object
of my visit to the auction rooms; and
now that had the mirror, wondered
that / had not really offered to. bid
for it.
1t vas manlel mirror, long and
low. with frame about which Loves
and and Graces where apparently play
ing tag. The glass was fine and the
gliding was good, but noticed that its
back was little loose in the frame,
and taking the precaution of putting
in few brads before hung it, | dis
lodged an article that had slipped down
between the glass and the fame.
1t was letter in adelicate envelope,
directed, stamped ard still sealed with
a drop of green wax stamped with a
lotus flower. Evidently it had never
been opened. The writing, in that
pale ink which ladies affect, had be-
come almost unreadable, but | finally
discovered that it was addressed to Mr..
Dudley Whitemore.
It was easy to imagine how it had
got int the place whence | had taken it.
Who ever knew a servant who did not
use a mirror as letter rack the mo-
ment it was loose enough in its frame?
But whether it was an important
letter, which should be delivered to its
owner if possible, or merely some note
of invitation that had had its day, it
was qnite impossible to guess.
In the course of the next morning /
called on the auctioneer, who referred
me to the person who had placed the
things in his hands for sale. He could
only tell me that they came from an
old hotel which was about to be torn
down, the site having been disposed of
for certain car stables, and that he had
never heard of Dudley Whitmore, who
had probably been transient guest at
thu hotel.
/ looked in the directory; there was
no such name to be found there and
the letter was, by its post office stamp
five wears old. did not feel that thai
gave me any right to open it; but il
was possible that might meet or heal
of Mr.. Dudley Whitmore, and | put i
away, in order that, If this ever ha..
pened, l might produce it.
Two years passed, however, an
meyer heard the name; and yet, W en
went upon trip to Paris-my9hrst
and naturally most interesting one
1 took Mr.. Whilmore's letter with me
Who knew but that might meet hin
abroad?
It'was in the little village OF Ville-le
Bel, near Paris, that ore day foun'
myself among the worshippers in tn
Church of Saint Didler, upon som
day deemed especially holy.
A great many English visitors wer
present, and among them beautiful
young lady attended by little brow
servant maid in a tall white cap an
earrings, listened intently to the music
She was very graceful, very elegantl
dressed, and very charming; but sh
was also very pale, and as the crow
increased and the air grew heavier, SD
grew still palor, until finally l hear
the maid utter little cry, and foun
that the lady had tainted.
She was very near ME, and, with tn
assistance OF the maid, managed t
carry her through the crowd to tn
fresh air. There she recovered, ant
though still very weak, was able
walk.
! inquired how best I could rende
assistance, and finding that she live
only little distance from the churcf
offered my arm and accompanied be
to the door of her home.
An old gentleman sitting under th
trees In bis little garden, with volum
of Racine In his hand and glass (
wine on the table at his eiboy, aros
and came forward to meet US.
He sympathized with the young Iadj