The Van Buren press., 1895-01-19
aequaintancss likely 70 be available
for HIS Identification.

aeqnaintances likely 70 be available
for his Identification.
.s0ut Of town." his adversary re-
peated. with . leer. which grew more
Objectionable at each repetition, until
Tom remembered David Wynne, an ell
derly bachelor who professed con-
viction that London and New York
share the comforts Of lie between
them. and that . man Of reasonable
experience Is to be found either In one
city or the other at any season.
.'He Is in town." the porter conceded.
"Dines here every evening, eight
sharp"
Il shall return at eight; and shall
report you." Tom declared. turning
away with but small consolation in
anticipating the vindication of his
course which would crown his reap
pearance; for he was impotently aware
Of another exchange of winks across
his shoulders.
"The Brunswick" he ordered,
haughtily, and hid his discontinue in
the cab.
At that hotel ne wns assigned .
room without accusation Of being a
fraud or phantom, and there he pro-
ceeded to consider the singular posi-
tion in which he found himself.
The lawyer with whom he had left
his will, previous to his departure for
Africa. could probably give him all
details concerning the origin OF the
rumor Of his death. Was his small
patrimony already divided among the
distant heirs? Tom started from his
chair to seek the lawyers Office at
once; but he sank back again with q
old gentleman's holi-
days occurred In August, and Tom
shrank from confronting clerk possi-
bly, as skeptical as the club porter. He
must wait for Wynne, who was GER
tainty at eight o'clock, and who, al
ways we'll posted in everybody's at
fairs. could inform him not merely
about the rumor Of his death, but
about some imaginable results OF that
rumor which troubled this perplexed
young man more than the temporary
doubt OF his identity or the brief dis
Of his finances.
Before that star was printed beside
his name in the club list his death
must have been widely credited. This
explained Mabel's silence; she believed
him dead two years since; long, long
time for faithful mourning of the dead
the dead who had been neither just
nor tender in his farewells. How
should he bear to hear that Van Eyck
had won her?
Very ghost-like he felt as he wan
dered restlessly from the hotel to the
streets. Poor ghosts-real ghosts! he
hoped that Heaven, or even the other
place, shut them securely from any
news of the world which they had
left, and which did not miss theml
Eight o'clock found him again at the
club. where his enemy, the hall porter,
took his card In eloquent silence and
presently announced that Mr.. Wynne
would see him.
There was keen look OF question
upon David Wynne's clever counte-
nance as he awaited his visitor.
"This is most extraordinary coin
cidence; or q most he began. but
broke of abruptly as Tom advanced
under the electric lights; then, with
dilating eyes. he exclnimed: "Great
heavensl Tom Stuart? You arc
alivc?"
"According to my own sensations,
am" Tom said, smiling, unmirthfullyi
though SO many sane people feel sure
of my death that begin to doubt"
"My dear fellow" Wynne interrupt
ed, grasping Toms hand in both Of his,
and speaking with. delightful exag-
geration, II have never been so glad
to SEQ anyone" He broke off again,
to stare at the others handsome sun
Drowned face. "This is inexplicable, u
he mu stcred. ff.5 ~
"If you mean the rumor Of my death
l intend to have that explained very
thoroughly" Tom declared, grimly.
"And come to you to start my inves-
LEGATIONS" fFfl'flfi3
1T was much more positive than a
rumor; II was cablegram," Wynne
said, ruminatingly.
Then he drew forward big chair
for his guest, dropped into another,
and took letter-case from his pocket.
II sent to my rooms for this when
the porter told me that some impostor
was claiming your name," he began,
briskly. "This is my receptacle for
newspaper cuttings which interest me
particularly and are not too long. Here
IL your obituary"
(which was not too long," Tom in
terpolated, bitterly.
Better be living dog than dead
lion," Wynne cried, genially. II as.
sure you. my boy, that you were very
much talked about for week at least.
One must be d Bismarck or Glad.
stone to expect more OF ones world.
Hear what the Herald says:
"'With deep regret we announce
the death, near Zanzibar, Africa. oi
the talented young artist Thomas
Stuart He had joined the expedition
fitted out by Messrs Blount and
Brooke for the purpose of making
sketches among majestic and unfamil
lar scenery. His death occurred aftel
few hours illness. during the secont
days march from the coast, ant
the sad intelligence was cabled to hi
lawyers In this city by q servant o
Mr.. Blount's, who had been sent bacl
to Zanzibar for that object. Thu
again does the Dark Continent depriv,
US Of genius.
Gratifying TO you hereafter to know
how Herald reporter classifies you,
Wynne said, giving the cutting t
Tom with smile. Just now 1t
more important that we should ar
alyze such facts as you may remembe