The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-02-25

minutes before.
The fare started up as if from fit of
profound abstraction
1.-THE Clement house?'' he repeated
CHANGING 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
oilers.
well, driver what did we agree
upon9 Seventy-fve cents-and here
it isl
The money, in glittering silver pieces,
was handed out and eagerly transferred
to the hackman's pocket; then the gen
tleraan, with small pcrtmanteau in
his hand, emerged from the carriage
and walked leisurely up the steps of
the hotel
BE was a handsome man, tall, slen-
der and elegant in figure, and he car
rled himself with a condescending air,
as very handsome men are apt to do.
He was enveloped in a long, loose ulster,
evidently dcnned to protect his expen-
sive 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 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 it took.
He had scarcely assembled the hotel |
steps when he was accosted on all sides
by the assembled gentlemen.
North! Northl Ye gods and little
fishes, if it isn't North back againn
arose a chorus of astonished 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 youlD 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 absence?"
Forgot something, perhaps?" sug-
gested one brilliant genius, thus bring
ing himself out in bold relief against
the background of vague and unsatis-
factory conjecture.
WAS it your heart, North2 Inquire
up on Delarlaine street, and it will no 4
doubt be returned and no questions G
askedr' n
Thus the running fire of banter went a
On. The victim of it, halted thus I'M a
tremendously on the very steps of the s.
1nfa1 or 7 I |
moment without attempting any re e
sponse But after the first pause of ut t.
'er establishment he recovered himself
ind found voice to speak. n
Gentlemen he exclaimed, in tones h
hat expressed a weu-bred surprise and h
annoyance, this is curious nlisappre- b
lension! l assure you it is a case of il
identity. 1 am not the person a;
whom you evidently think me to be- l al
lave not the honor of knowing you, So
nd indeed never saw you before" h,
The gentlemen addressed looked e
flank in their turn for an instant; then
derisive laugh swept around the cir Ii
lie. n
"Hearl hearp cried two or three, ap- a,
laudingly.
:" Mistaken identity the person Ia
re think him to bel" echoed moclfing- ST
Y from lip to lip. m
Didn't we bid you good-by only four SC
ours ago, fairly bowed down with fe
rief because you assured us that you &c
'ould be gone for two whole weeks? re
nd now here you are back again like m
he proverbial pennyl' be
what do you mean?" demanded the tn
ewcomer with q percept;ble increase ly
bewilderment and indignation. 81 co
ever was at the Clement house, never nc
as in x before in my lifel" he
Upon this declaration the laughter co
I'd protests broke out afresh wi
"oh, say, North, you've carried this ia
nv