The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-04-26


minutes before.
The fare started up as if from At of
profound abstraction.
THE Clement house2" he repeated,
glancing up at the hotel with its wide
stone portico supported by massive pill
lars and ornamented with its usual
quota of smoking, staring, well-dressed
idlers.
SWELL, driver, what did we agree
upon? Seventy-fve cents-and here
It is"
The money, in glittering silver pieces,
was handed out and eagerly transferred
to the hackman's pocket; then the gen.
tleman, with small portmanteau in
his hand, emerged from the carriage
and walked leisurely up the steps of
the hotel.
He was handsome man, tall, slen-
der and elegant in figure, and he car
ried himself with condescending air,
as very handsome men are apt to do.
He ewas enveloped in long, loose ulster,
evidently donned to protect his expen-
sive broadcloth from the dust Of travel;
a soft black hat rested upon his auburn
curls His dark gray eyes were keen
and slightly quizzisal In expression; his
whole countenance, though delicate in
features and complexion, denoted
strength, determination and reckless
daring, with touch Of genuine mirth-
fulness to which, however, the dark
sweeping mustache that he wore gave
an odd contradiction by the indescrib-
ably mournful droop that II took.
He had scarcely assembled the hotel
steps when he was aceosted on all sides
by the assembled gentlemen.
"Northl Northi Ye gods and little
I fishes, II II isn't North back againl"
arose chorus OF astonished voices, as
the group Of idlers suspended all other
Conversation in order TO question the
newcomer. a
"Why, what does this mean, Northp
Back before anyone has had time TO
miss you'll" said one, as he held his cigar
aloft and hastily adjusted his eye
glasses.
"Come back to get better startP"
Afraid your friends wouldn't be able
10 survive your hbsence?"
"Forgot something, perhapsp" sug-
gested one brilliant genius, thus bring
ing himself out in bold relief against
the background Of vague and unsatis-
factory conjecture.
WAS 1t your heart, NorthP Inquire
up on Delaplaine street, and II will no
doubt be returned and no questions
askedr'
Thus the running fire of banter went
on. The victim of it, halted thus un-
tremendously on the very steps of the
hotel, stood in bewildered silence for a
moment without attempting any re-
sponse. But after the first pause of ut
ter astonishment he recovered himself
and found voice TO speak.
"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, in tones
that expressed a well-bred surprise and
annoyance, this is a curious misappre-
hension! assure you II is case Of
mistaken identity. l 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 looked
blank In their turn for an instant; then
q derisive laugh swept around the cir
Gle.
''Hearl hearl" cried two or three, ap-
plaudingly.
"'Mistaken identity'-'nott the person
we think him TO ber" echoed mocking-
ly from lip 10 lip.
'sDidn't we bid you good-by only four
hours ago, fairly bowed down with
grief because you assured us that you
would be gone for two whole weeks?
And now here you are back again like
the proverbial pennyr"
"What do you meanP" demanded the
newcomer, with perceptible increase
Of bewilderment and indignation. 'T
never was at the Clement house, never
was In K before in my lifelp
Upon this declaration the laughter
and protests broke out sfresh.
"Oh, say, North, you've carried this
far enough" cried the brilliant genius
who had previously distinguished him
self Have you suddenly lost your
senses, or do you imagine that we have
all taken leave Of ours7 II Is no use,
you know, your trying TO deny your
own identity, when here are dozen Of
Jour daily associates and intimate
friends all ready TO swear TO itn
II assure you, gentlemen" the voice
had the infection OF rising anger, but
II was quickly drowned In the laughing
comments Of the Others.
"come, come, North" testify inter
posed the gentleman with the eye
glasses, you've perjured yourself quite
enough, Where's the use, you know?
You surely can't think Of carrying this
poor little farce any farther Aren't
you ollin North. attorney atlaw? An
swer me thatl'