The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-10-18

iAifthf tEhP yA9&S A%gttWF 1850
/ eyes, sir, it's Delaplaine street. he
then said, with q grin; and North, after
bestowing handful of nickels on his
small interlocutOr, turned away and
started slowly in the direction that the
numbers on the houses indicated that he
should take. s &s 3tt
The newsboy gazed after him for .
moment, fully expecting to see him
reel along the pavement or run into one
of the many shade trees or lamp posts.
Disappointed in this cherished hope, as
the gentleman continued calmly on his
way with no perceptible indccision OF
step. no difficulty in maintaining his
equilibrium, no misunderstanding with
the surrounding inanimate objects, the
boy pursued his way soliloquizing
audibly: go "' ii -"s.-.' 5A
'My eye! If that ERE Mr.. North, amt
a queer chap" ...... ...... 81. /
every fine street." ran North's solil-
oquoy, as he sauntered down the broad
pavement of fagstones bounded by
smoothly-cut grass and tall shade trees
on one side and ornamental iron fences,
small parterres and stately residences
on the other. "My friend Mrs. May
nard is undoubtedly something of an
aristocrat, judging from her surround
ings. BY the way, what does she want
with-me?" .''" *'.,@' '"'' is'57''''
He stopped short here, as the fact
suddenly occurred to him that the lady
in question did not want anything of
him. He laughed aloud in his amuse
ment at the thought. i.s5 l''ttE
"Could become involved in serious
consequences by this masquerading?"
he presently asked himself.
mo, don't believe I'm liable. How
can be? I might be charged with
false pretenses; and yet, what false
pretenses have made? BY all the trae
ditions of my family I'm Allan North,
and that is all that I've yet claimed to
be. Peopleall call me by my name as if
they never doubted my right to be thus
designated. If there is any man in
" or elsewhere who has better
right to that name than l have let him
bring forward his claim, with vouchers
thereof, without delay! True, never
was in y, never saw one of these
people before in my life, but what does
all this amount to? I am driven back
to my original resolutions. will drift
little longer. I am sure to come out
somewhere, if only on the rocks of de-
struction. Mrs. Maynard is my present
hope. We shall see whether she will
set matters straight or complicate them
still further
i, He walked on slowly for a few
moments, glancing up at the numbers
on the houses until he came to thirty
three.
Pausing with his gloved hand resting
on the iron gate in front of the resi-
dence bearing that number, he swept
hasty but critical glance over the place.
It was small detached villa, evident
ly the abode of wealth. The mansion,
picturesque structure of brown stone,
with balconies and bay windows half
buried in ivy, stood back with a state
ly exclusive air in the midst of tower
ing elms. A straight, wide pavement
of fagstones led directly from the gate
to the terraced steps; on either side lay
velvety lawn ornamented with trees
and shrubbery and fountains.
"'No. 80 Delaplaine street. and here
it is" reflected North, as he fingered
unaccountably at the gate. Let me
see!'' He drew out his watch and
glanced hastily at it. 1.-TWO, exactly.
I am punctual to the second. wonder
if such rare prpmptitude is one of the
shining virtues of the individual whom
am so strangely personating? Non
sense! I believe am growing nervous.
1t will never do to show the white
feather now. Having undertaken to
make this call, will persevere to the
end!'' 10 g... d. 0..
He had entered the gate, walked up
the wide pavement, assembled the steps
of terrace and verenda, and 'rung the
bell by the time he had finished these
reflections. He just had time to
smooth his gloves and settle his snowy
cuffs, adjust his coat, stroke his mus
tache a1fectionately and compose his
features into an agreeable smile, when
the door swung noiselessly open and
deferential old footman stood bowling
low before him.
SIS Mrs. Maynard at home?" inquired
North, with the calm, assured air of a
friend of the family.
s'She is, sir. Will you please walk in,
sir?'
North walked in, as a matter of
course That was recognized part of
his programme" He was conducted
through dim, elegantly appointed
hall, and ushered into still more dim,
elegantly appointed drawing-room, and
there. left to the tender .mercies of the
darkness and the furniture with the
cheering information that Mrs May
nard was expecting him and would be
down soon. II &g%S &zE4
''Confoundedly dark placer grum-
bled North, as he CROPPED his way to the
nearest chair. IF daylight is too ex-
pensive a luxury here, why don't they
light the gas? I've a great mind to
suggest it to my friend, Mrs. Maynard,
only I'm afraid she might not receive the
suggestion in the same kindly spirit in
which it was offered. Oh, II don't ex-
actly enjoy this, after all! It
looks like carrying the thing too far.
believe. I'll conduct myself with GER
tain degree of eccentricity, SO that. in