Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-29

w NHt lhllNhl
w station fifteen
minutes before.
The fare started up as II from 6t OF
profound abstraction.
1.-THE Clement housc?" he repeated,
CHANGING up at the hotel with its wide
stone portico supported by massive pill
lars and ornamcnted with It's usual
quota Of smoking, staring, well-dressed
idlers.
swell, driver, what did we agree
upon2 Seventy-hve cents-and here
IL is."
The money, in glittering silver pieces,
was handed out and eagerly transferred
10 the hackman's pocket; then the gem
tleman, with small portmanteau In
his hand, emerged from the carriage
and walked leisurely up the steps Of
the hotel.
lie was n handsome man, tall, slen-
der and elegant in figure, and he car
ried himself with n condcscending air,
As very handsome men are apt TO do.
lie was envcloped In Il long, loose ulster,
evidently donncd to protect his eXpen-
sivc broadcloth from the dust Of travel;
soft black hat rested upon his auburn
curls His dark gray eyes were keen
and slightly quizzical In expression; his
whole eountcnance, though delicate In
features and complexion, denoted
strength, determination and reckless
daring, with touch of genuine mirth.
fulness to which, however, the dark
sweeping mustachc that he wore gave
an odd contradiction by the indcscrib-
ably mournful droop that II took.
lie had scarcely assembled the hotel
steps when he was accosted ON all sides
by the assembled gentlemen.
"Northl North We gods and little
fishes, II II isn't North back againl"
arose chorus OF astonislied voices us
the group Of oilers suspended all other
conversation In order 10 question the
newcomer.
"Why. what does this mean, NorthP
Back before anyone has had time TO
miss youl" said one, as he held his cigar
aloft aud hastily adjusted his eye
glasses.
"Come back TO get better start?"
afraid your friends wouldn't be able
TO survive your absence?"
Forgot something, perhaps?" sug-
gcsted one brilliant genius, thus bring
ing himself out In bold relief against
the background of vague and unsatis
factory conjecture.
"Was IL your heart, North? Inquire
up on Delaplaine street, and II will no
doubt be returned and no questions
asked"
Thus the running fire of banter went
on. The victim of II, halted thus I'M
tremendously ON the very steps of the
IL p0n,I f., ha,ytllaraI al for a
moment without attempting any re-
sponse hut after the first pause OF ut
ter astonishment he recovered himself
and found voice 10 speak
Gentlemen" he exclaimed, In tones
that expressed well-bred surprise and
annoyance, this Is curious misappre
hensionl | assure you II is n case o.
mistaken identity, ! am not the person
whom you evidently think me TO be-
have not the honor OF knowing you
and indeed never saw you before"
The gentlemen addressed locke,
blank In their turn for an instant; thel
derisive laugh swept around the cir
Gle.
"Hearl hearl" cried two or three, az
plaudingly.
Mistakes identity'-!not the perso
we think him to bei" echoed hooking
ly from lip TO lip.
Didn't we bid you good-by only fou
hours ago, fairly bowed down wit
grief because you assured us that 20
would he gone fo- TWO whole weeks
And now here you are back again IN,
the proverbial penny"
what do you mean2" demanded III
newcomer, with n perceptible increas
Of bewilderment and Indignation.
mover was ut the Clement house, new,
was In " before In my life"
Upon this declaration tho lnught'
and protests broke out afrcsh.
"oh, say, North, you've carried tn
far enoughl" cried the brilliant GENT
who had previously distinguished hir
self. "lIavo you suddenly lost yo,
senses, or do you imagine that we ha'
all taken leave Of ours? IL Is no us
you know, your trying to deny yo'
own Identity, when here are u dozen
your daily associates and intima
friends all ready TO swear TO IT,"
81 assure you, gentlemen" the vol
had the infection Of rising anger, b
IL was quickly drowned In the laughii
comments of the others.
'"Come, come, North" testify init
posed the gentleman with the ey
glasses, you've perjured yourself gu
enough Where's the use, you kno
You surely can't think Of carrying 4
poor little farce any farther. Are
You ollin North, attorney at law? 4
swer me thatl"
"Allan North, attorney at law?"
peated the gentleman, an addition
wave Of pcrplexity sweeping over
face. "Why, yes, TO be sure a
but"
A roar Of laughter interrupted him
swell done, North Capitalr' or
the applauding crowd. "When are J
going on the stageP That facial
preston is finel You'll make your m
rs frst-class comedianl"
REALLY, this is preposterous-I,I
a-aAn ,.pssn thA stsAnzar. <Alxing b