Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-22

/ on the watch Tor the rest OF tne m8nI
Probably Darius Howard would read
the meaning Of the affair and leave the
dwelling for good. II SO, my venture
had not only failed to do good, but had
done harm.
But such are the chances Of war, and
why regret that which cannot DO helped!
Taking to the highway. walked
briskly, never stopping until ] reached
the railway station. I was in time to
catch the train to Jersey City, and soon
was in bed at hotel ON the New York
side, kept by friend Of mine, who
knew my profession and gave me every
facility I wished. 1t was so convenient
to tho railway that 1t saved me the
time must have lost had gone to my
home up town.
The individual who stepped of the
train next day at Railway would never
have been suspected Of being the va
grant who slouched into town the day
preceding and walked from Elizabeth to
that point He was fashionably dressed,
prim looking and carried small cane.
had decided upon q magnificent game
Of bluff.
The day was brisk and cool. It had
no, rained for week, and tho weather
was OF that sort which makes walk
source Of delight. Instead Of hiring
n cab, / sauntered down town, turning
of over the same road had followed
the night before.
The route was SO familiar that / could
not 60 astray, and in due time ! saw
the stone house among the partly denud.
ed trees on my left There was the av-
enue. lined on each side with the tower
ing poplars, and slackened my pace at
the very spot where / had given the
quietus to the dog that so sorely beset
me- He must have been favorite, for
his body had been removed and doubt
less given decent burial.
"They will be sure to buy another,
but it isn't likely they have him yet, j"
was my comforting reflection as strobe
up the lane, stepped upon the porch and
gave resounding summons with the
polished brass knocker on the door.
II was opened by colored woman.
who looked inquiringly at me.
II wish 70 see Mr.. Darius Howard"
said pleasantly.
"He doesn't live here, sir. "
Il mean the dark haired, black eyed
gentleman who comes out from New
York occasionally. Sometimes his wife
is with him. She is very handsome. "
The servant was quite Intelligent and
surveyed me sharply.
Mr.. Hickman lives here. / nevah
heard Of tho pussons You name
"Who compose this family, please:"
"Mr. Hickman. his mother and sister.
Dere's nobody else, sir"
At this juncture pleasant looking
woman Of GO or 20, hearing the voices.
came from tho sitting room and inquir-
ed what was wanted.
Possibly have mistaken the name,
] said courteously, but ] was under
the belief that it was Mr.. Howard who
lives here. "
mo Twas born in this house and
have lived in it all my life, rs did my
father and grandfather. No person OF
the name Of Howard has ever lived or
boarded here. am sorry TO disappoint
you.
1T does not specially matter Thank
you for your kindness, / replied, lift
ing my hat and bowling myself of the
porch.
Nothing could be more certain than
that this old lady had spoken the truth.
The parties whom / was seeking had
never crossed the threshold. All that l
had done before was blunder. So it
goes. must begin over again.
had just turned from the lane into
the highway and was walking toward
town when cab wheeled around n
bend in tho road and approached at q
spanking gait. My heart beat little
faster when / recognized the driver
whom had vainly attempted to follow.
and who, l was now satisfied, was the
one that had bought his whip about my
shoulders and received great scare
therefor.
Before he fairly saw mo l wheeled
like a flash and walked in the direction
he was driving. II he noticed my &C.
ton, he thought nothing OF 1t.
/ carelessly looked up as no passed
and through the glass window OF the cab
saw the face of n woman.
There could be no mistaking those
eyes. hair and matchless features-the
most enhancing on which had ever