The record-union., 1894-07-14

yet certain which one she would choose;
after all, it made no great difference, since
Ethel could take. the one that was left, and
thus he would be all right. As for
her nephew, the exposure would be a
bitter pill for him to swallow, but it
might cure him; was there not always
wondrous kindness toward a fellow-feel-
ing, and had not feeling in other peo-
ple's pockets been this poor fellows
fault?
Thus Mrs. Lescelles had schemed, but
now it seemed that Charlie could beard
the lion in his den' with impunity and
make hairbreadth escape No wonder
that when she nOiSelessly turned the key
in the door she was like him, ''in
brown study"-for such was the prevail
ing tone of the library. No wonder that
she had failed to notice that he was in
that chronic state of inebriety which is
only prevented from becoming uproar-
iously acute by frequent uninterrupted
potations.
The hour set had arrived, and still
Ethel fingered over her toilet. Mrs. Les
celles telt nervous and glanced uneasily
out of the window. Yes. some one was
coming, had turned in at the gate, and
was slowly pacing up the graveled walk.
Could she mistake that pompouS strut?
No; all the kid gloves IN the world could
not make an Esau out of this Jacob. 1t
was Mr.. Welles. But with beard?
Well, she never would have supposed it
was in the man! Charlie and be were
now so amazingly alike that Peter Kop-
per would likely suspect them OF con-
certed action. "How shall I ever get at
the root of this matter?o moaned the
widow, clutching her fluffy poll in des-
pair.
A moment later she was congratulating
her guest on his changed appearance. Il
think it's so becoming" she said, pass
ing her hand over her face.
"Becoming?' sighed Mr.. Welles. SIT
is becoming a nuisance / assure you.
Why, [ dream every night that the mat
tress has burst. But my lungs are deli
cate, and my physician" Here a Sc
ries OF rude noises emanated from the
library denoting, ii anything, impatience
and urgency.
'Irs nothing explained the widow.
SITS the cat, think, with his tail caught
in the door. If you will excuse me for
moment. Yes, Charlie, coming!n and
away she flew.
''rhe cat!' ruminated Mr.. Welles.
THANK goodness, it isn't Russian one
with nine tails caught in the door! Yes,
Charliep [ wonder why she didn't say,
yes, Toni" and he turned on to the
veranda to enjoy the freshness of the
evening.
At this instant there was heavy ap
preaching tread, and the two guests for
the first time faced each other. As Mr..
Hopper was also bearded the resem blance
between them was indeed startling,
though Father Time would have shreWd-
ly judged that in old age he would have
to lengthen the stroke of his scythe for
the one and shorten it for the other. But
now there was no round and rosy jollity
about Peter. He took in the similarity
at once, and concluded that luck had
saved him just $50. Mr.. Welles, though,
remained oblivious to the situation. He
had not studied his mirror for those forty
odd years, not to retain a smooth-face
conception of himself He merely saw
an unpleasantly aggressive stranger, and,
true to the judgment of Father Time, he
shrunk.
''You have the advantage of me, SIR"
said Mr.. Welles, coldly.
''Its quite the other way,n growled
Peter.
81 am at a loss," resumed Mr.. Welles.
''The loss is mine," roared Peter"
''and you know IT,"
Ppm sure l have never seen or heard
of you before. continued Mr.. Welles.
I've heard of you behind-behind my
back, you sneak, you scOundrelv' ex-
ploded the frantic Peter, land now I've
upraised fist. But that fist fell not; for
down the stairs there glided fair young
girl. She sprang between the two men,
so Wrathful, SO scared. She threw one
arm protectingly around Mr.. Welles,
with the other she waved his assailant
away. Back, coward!" she cried incon-
sequently. would you strike an un-
armed man?o
Ethel had at last found her tongue. In
consequently-butM Mr.. Welles recognized
the true proper feeling of admiration,
and felt. grateful for it. He then and
there resolved that one who evidently
had his interest so much at heart should
also forever have them at hand. Incon-
sequently-but Mr.. Hopper, then and
there, concluded that the niece would
never attain the winning colors of the
aunt.
And while they remained in this con-
templative tableau wild-eyed man with
beard staggered out of the door.
Here's one me-" he gasped, s'and
here's anoZer me. Which one am 1? O,
Lord, Pve got 'em again. and he rolled
off the veranda and out into the dark
ness.
And then the widow appeared, and ex-
plantations and apologies followed. And
the dinner was finally served and heart
lily eaten-not the less heartily because
Mr.. Welles had just whispered vow to
Ethel and Mr.. Hopper had just breathed
a sigh to the widow. OF course the har-
monious four became still more harmos
nious twos. and lived forever afterward
in certain bliss, for when Mr.. Hopper
had shaved prudent Ethel insisted Mr..
Welles should retain his beard.
AS for Charlie Vincent he was never
seen again, that is, in similarity Per-
haps the shock changed his personal ap-
pearance. Perhaps in giving aims to
distorted and grotesque vagabond, the
good-natured aunt still unwittingly as
sists her nephew.
INhon n man finds . rino old foshionod