Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-06


moment, fully expecting to see him
reel along the pavement or run into one
of the many shade trees or lamp posts.
Disappointed in this cherished hope, rs
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:
a queer chap!'
Every fine street," ran North's solil-
oquoy, as 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.
Gould l become involved in serious
consequences by this masquerading?''
he presently asked himself.
mo, don't believe I'm liable. How
can l 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. If there is any man in
X or elsewhere who has a better
right to that name than have let him
bring forward his claim, with vouchers
thereof, without delay! True, 1 never
was in Y, never saw one of these
people before in my life, but what does
all this amount to? 1 am driven back
to my original resolutions. 1 will drift
little longer. l am sure to come out
somewhere, If only on the rocks of de
struction. Mrs. Maynard is my present
hope. We shall sec whether she will
set matters straight or complicate them
still further"
he walked on slowly for a 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 q
hasty but critical glance over the place.
1t was q small detached villa, evident
ly the abode of wealth. Tho mansion,
picturesque structure of brown stone,
with balconies and bay windows half
buried in ivy, stood back with a state
ly exclusive mir in tho midst of tower
ing Gins. A straight, wide pavement
of tlagstones led directly from the gate
to the terraced steps; on either side Law
q velvety lawn ornamented with trees
and shrubbery and fountains
"'No. 33 Delaplaine street. and here
1t Is" reflected North, us he fingered
unaccountably at the gate. ''Let me
seer He drew out his watch and
glanced hastily at it. ''Two, exactly.
am punctual to the second. wonder
if such rare promptitude is one of the
shining virtues of the individual whom
am so strangely personating? Non.
sense! believe l am growing nervous
1t will never do to show the white
feather now. Having undertaken to
make this call, 1 will persevere to the
endr'
He had entered the gate, walked up
the wide pavement, assembled the steps
of terrace anL veranda, and rung the
bell by the tim he had finished these
reflections a. just had time to
smooth his gloves and settle his snowy
cuffs, adjust his coat, stroke his mus.
tache affectionately and compose his
features into an agreeable smile, when
the door swung noiselessly open and o
deferential old footman stood bowling
low before him.
as Mrs. Maynard at home?" inquired
North, with the calm, assured nir of q
friend of the family.
''She is, sir. VIII you please walk in,
sir?"
North walked in, as n matter of
course. That was recognized part Of
his programme. He was conducted
through a dim, elegantly appointed
hall, and ushered into q still moro dim.
elegantly appointed drawing-room, and
there left to the tender mercies of the
darkness and the furniture with the
cheering information that Mrs. May.
nard was expecting him and would be
down soon.
'Confoundedly dark plaoei" grum-
bled North. as he CROPPED his way to the
AANtDA Wv SAA$~A' - NAyA4SAb u 100 eX
pensive q luxury hero, why don't they
light the gas? I've q great mind to
suggest 1t to my friend, Mrs MAYNARD,
only I'm afraid she might not receive the
suggestion in tho same kindly spirit in
which it was offered. Oh, don't OK
actly enjoy this after ALL II
looks like carrying tho thing too far. ]
believe I'll conduct myself with n Ger
tain degree of eccentricity, so that in
case of detection can plead emotional
insanity as my excuse Singular Freak
of an Insane Man. Harmless Vaga,
ries of a Lunatic-' That's the way the
reporters would write up the affair
Heigh-hot here she comes"
RELIGIOUS TROUBLE IN MADRID.
A Bomb Exploded at the Opening of a
Protestant Church.
MADRID, Feb. 6.-The excitement
caused among Roman Catholics by the
opening Of a Protestant church in this
city several weeks ago still threatens
trouble.
When the Professionals announced four
days ago that they would meet yesterday
al in tho OburOh 0ppoSita ha To-