Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-02-04

minutes before.
The fare started up rs if from fit of
profound abstraction.
1.-The Clement house?' he repeated,
glancing up ut the hotel with its wide
stone pOrtico supported by massive pill
lars and Ornamented with it's usual
quota of smoking, staring, wcll-drcssed
oilers.
"Wcll, driver, what did we agree
upon? Seventy-fve ccnts-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 a small portmantcau in
his hand, emerged from the carriage
and walked lcisurcly up the steps of
the hotel.
lie was handsome man, tall, slen-
der and elegant in figure, and he car
ricd himself with n condescending air,
as very handsome men are apt to do.
He was cnvcloped in long, loose ulster,
evidently donned to protect his eNpcn-
sivc broadcloth from the dust of travel;
a soft black hat rested upon his auburn
curls. His dark gray eyes were keen
and slightly quizzical in expression; his
" hOlC COun lCLduCS, though uCllCdIC Ill
features and complexion, denoted
strength, determination and reckless
daring, with q touch of genuine mirth-
fulncss to which, however, the dark
sweeping mustache that he wore gave
an odd contradiction by the indescrib-
ably mournful droop that it took.
He had scarcely assembled the hotel
steps when he was accostcd on all sides
by the assembled gentlemen.
NORTH! Northl Ye gods and little
fishes, if it isn't North back again.
arose n chorus of astonishcd voices, as
the group of oilers suspended all other
conversation in order to question the
newcomer.
"Why, what does this mean, North?
Back before anyone has had time to
miss you!" said one, as he held his cigar
aloft and hastily adjusted his eye
glasses.
Come back to get better start?"
Afraid your friends wouldn't be able
to survive your abscncc?"
Forgot something, pcrhaps?" sug
gcstcd one brilliant genius thus bring
ing himself out in bold relief against
| the background of vague and unsatis-
factory conjecture.
"Was it your heart, North? Inquire
up on Dclaplainc street, and it will no
doubt be returned and no questions
aSlird!'
Thus the running fire of banter went
OK The victim of it, halted thus un-
ccl enormously on the very steps of the
| hotel, stood in brwidcrrd silence for n
moment without attempting any re-
| sponsr. But after the first pause of ut,
| ter establishment he recovered himself
and found voice to speak.
| 'Grutlrmrn," he exclaimed, in tones
that expressed n wcll-brcd surprise and
| annoyance, this is curious misapprc-
| hrnaion! assure You it is a ease OF
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 luokcC
| blank in their turn for an Instant: thcT
u dcrisivr laugh swept around the cir
Gle.
clear! heart" cried two or three ap
plaudingly.
"Mistal<cn idcntity'-'not the person
we think him to be!" echoed mocking
ly from lip to lip.
Didn't we bid you good-by only foul
hours ago. fairly bowed down will
grief because you assured us that you
would be gone for TWO whole weeks
And now hero you arc back again like
the provcrbial penny
what do you mcan?" demanded thu
newcomer, with pcrceptiblc increase
of bcwildcrmcnt and Indignation. {"
never was at the Clement house, ncve
was in 4 before in my lifc!''
Upon this declaration the lauShte
and protests broke out nfrcsh.
'Oh, say, North, you've carried thi
far enough!" cried the brilliant genius
who had previously distinguished him
self "Ilavo you suddenly lost YOU
senses, or do you imagine that we have
all taken leave of ours? 1t is no use
you know, your trying to deny you
own identity, when here are dozen o
your daily associates and intimate
friends all ready to swear to it.
81 assure you, gentlemen" the voice
had the infection of rising anger, bu
it was quickly drowned in the laughing
comments of the others.
Come, come, North" testify inter
posed the gentleman with the eye
glasses, you've perjurcd yourself quit
enough. Where's the use, you know
You surely can't think of carrying thi
poor little farce any farther. Aren'
you Ollin North, attorney at law? An
swer me thatl"
"Allan North, attorney at law?" re
peated the gentleman, an additiona
wave of perplexity sweeping over hi
face. ''Why, yes, to be sure l am
but"
A roar of laughter interrupted him.
"Well done, NorthI Capitall' erie
the applauding crowd "When are 20
going on the stageP That facial ez
preston is hnel You'll make your mar
as n first-class comedian!"
Really, this is preposterous-I prc
test" began the stranger, rallying ono
more; when suddenly a voice thin an
weak, but evidently the voice Of one