Middletown transcript., 1897-01-23


self-but the half hour had elapsed be
fore he had been able to formulate hi
thoughts satisfactorily. He was due a
his office In 20 minutes, during whicI
time it would be necessary for him t
shave and consume his breakfast. So
without further attempt at elaboration
he dashed off What he had to say
sealed the letter aud wrote her Chris
tian name on the envelope, placing th'
stamp on the wrong side. Why he hat
not written the letter the previous eve
ming, during which he employed sew
eral hours in meditation concerning it
is conundrum that only man in low
can answer.
I After ornamenting his face gener'
ously with ugly little razor scars. h'
hurriedly completed his toilet and rams
vigorously for the bellboy.
"Here, Alexander Take this letter
and mail it for me-" He handed him &
button instead of dime, and rushed
down the hotel corridor to stop the de-
scending elevator.
Alexander stared after him, ther
looked at the button. grinned ant
turned the letter over.
"Ain't got any address stamp on
wrong side. Well, 1 guess he knows
his business. Apd he dropped it into
| a. box.
A month passed. Harry had received
no reply, and became in consequence
extremely uneasy, thinking that per.
haps in his haste he had written some
thing that might have offended the re-
cipient or that the le. ter had not reach
ed its destination. Alexander observed
his patrons discontinue with trou-
bled conscience, for he was fond of hin
because he tipped him more liberally
than any one else in the hotel.
The letter was returned in due time
from the dead letter office, and Alex
ander was intrusted to take it to Mr..
Ellard's room. He rested on the stair
way and thought the matter over. He
did not wish to lay himsels liable to re-
proof for his carelessness. He knew
| that when man makes fool of him.
self it is not well for any one who &C.
knowledges he knows of it.
The envelope was addressed simply
but illegibly ''Agnes."
Alexander remembered certain rose
tinted notes that were strewn about
Mr.. Ellard's dresser, signed. Yours
as always, Agnes. No.-W-street"-
the lady doubtless for whom the letter
was intended, and instead Of returning
it to the writer, he delivered it al
The above address.
Agnes Moran read'it with CLEAN
of triumph in her eyes.
cat lastP she exclaimed. " had a
severe struggle landing that fish
wealthy, handsome, healthy, the beau
| ideal of our circle. What a triumph I
wondered why he was so silent and
lackadaisical the last time he called.
But how is thisl The letter is dated
Oct. lit is now the 9Th of November.
The envelope has been opened-how
oddl Oil" And upon examining il
closely she realized what had happened
and laughed heartily.
"Poor fellow and he has been in
uncertainty for over month. But
what possessed him to send the letter
/ in this condition after its returnl Per-
haps to let me know how perturbed he
has been. Well, no matter. He shall
know his fate by tonight. The first
thing to do is to 60 over to see Angie
| Fairfax and tell her the news. Hateful
thing she played her cards hard to get
him. She will sluirm with jealousy. u
And the black eyed, red Tipped, round,
1.-THE damsel started off at a deliberate
self conscious pace with her head up,
as fine young animal which has
tasted blood and knows where more
prey can be obtained.
| She found Angie in her modest bou-
doir, before dainty white dressing
table.
"What do you think dear'' criet
Agnes, breaking in upon her calm and
throwing her luxurious figure into q
dimity covered chair; "the strangesi
thing has happened, and have come
to spend the whole afternoon and eve.
ming to tell you about it." She handed
Angie the letter, watching her mar
rowlY. Angles hand trembled slightly
as she saw the writing; then she read
it loud with perfect composurt:
My Dearest Girl-I address you thus
because you have always been SO to me
because from the first time saw you
you seemed to belong to my life.
i You are SO different from the wo
men about you, 50 sincere, pure and
simple, mountain flower among hot
house plants, and although havt
lived in this world Of society for year
long for restful atmosphere such d
your love might give me.
/ have written this to tell lyou that
cannot call CD you again until know
in what capacity may come. II it il
to be only rs your friend | viii
be your friend as long as you will al
lo@ me-ft would be kindness in yol
to let me know at once. In deep anx
iety, Harry.
"a mountain Aowertn laughed Ag
mes. sHs does not know me. If b
, thinks lie will find rest with me, he
j very much mistaken. What do younI
people saut Of rest? They need excite
ment and activity. + shall cure hin