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

and then fixing themselves like two
animated interrogation points upon
North. "Why, you don't say so-you
here, Mr.. North? What's up2 Back to
stay2 Concluded not to go east after
all? Nothing happened, hopeP" For
as he watched the face of the man
whom he was addressing growing
perplexity and uneasiness became ap-
parent In the colonels countenance and
manner.
"You would think something had
happened, colonel, II you could hear
him talk. He Is actually trying to
make US believe that he never was at
the Clement house before, and that he
doesn't know one OF us! What's your
opinion Of the case, colonel-temporary
mental aberration?"
The good colonel stared curiously at
North for an instant, then broke into q
musical little laugh that shook him
gently from head to foot. An expression
Of calm despair swept over North's
countenance as the notes of mirth were
taken up and loudly echoed by the
others.
Suddenly checking himself in his
laughter, possibly because of the ex-
preston he caught in North's eye, the
colonel coughed automatically for a
moment, and drawing large handler-
chief from his pocket he mopped his
flushed face with 1t, glancing furtively
at North the while from behind the
ambush of snowy cambria. He was
still chuckling with suppressed merri-
ment when he finally spoke again, as
everyone was evidently waiting for him
TO do.
That's not 80 bad now, gentlemen
not so bad!' declared the colonel, who
had a happy appreciation of humor,
however absurd or whimsical II might
be, and an amiable habit of sympaShiz-
ing with any nonsense that might be
afoat. "Glad TO see you here again,
anyway, Mr.. North. You'll have the
same rooms again, / suppose9 They
haven't been taken yet, you see. Kept
'em for you all this timer
This was said with renewed chuck
ling and an air Of good-nature
though cluinsily, carrying on the pleas
antry that Mr.. North had originated.
"Confound them ALI" thought the
latter In despair. Whoever heard Of
such case2 How dare they dispute
my word2 oaths and protestations
seem TO have no more weight than
feather against their own stupid pre-
conceived ideas. ! begin TO feel my
reason tottering, my memory failing
mel Where did ever see these idiots
before? It's all nonsense; / never saw
them In my hfel And yet am certain
ly Allan North, attorney at law. How
could they know me 30 well II they had
never seen me before2 Was here four
hours ago7 Am / their old friend and
comrade? Or am dreaming-be-
witched? No, mol II Is case of mis-
taken identity; am clearly the unhap-
py victim Of some other fellows good
fortune his strange and unAccountable
resemblance 10 me- The same
name, too; what Il singular eo-
incidencel Upon my word, this
savors Of comedy. and, since II is
forced upon me, III take my role and
see what / can make Of II. 'Pm In the
hands Of these harmless lunatics who
think they know who am better than
do myself; so III humor them for the
present, It's, Q queer ientanglement,
but protestat tons are useless nnless the
other fellow should turn up and settle
the question; and, sotfar az ] cah see,
the best thing for mo 70 DO Is TO drift
with this tide which Ihavs found II 70