Waterbury Democrat., 1900-11-10

A s THE Empire State express rum "A bled out of the Utica station 8 travelling man for the. Buffalo Flat Ware company lay back in his seat and wondered if that train had ever carried anyone so happy as himself. For the twentieth time he-took out the dainty missive of Dora Hilde- brand, unfolded the heliotrope sheet and read the delicious words: "Of course I love you, you great goose. Why didn't you ask me before left Buffalo? I shall count the minutes until the 21St.'
 But the Flat Ware Man counted the seconds as the glung-lung-a-lung of car wheels told them off and brought him nearer to Dora. Only month since she had gone home, but a busy month for him, spent largely ill scheming to get the house to send assured himself, he would not be such a laggard in asking the father as he had been in avowing his love for the daughter. He knew his little book. To Mr. Hildebrand he would go bold ly, and without any beating about, say: zra
 ''I love D6ta"-no, that wouldn't do; too familiar. "Sir, I have been for tunate enough to win the love and esteem of your daughter. I am able to support her. My sales are grow ing bigger each year. Will you give your consent to our marriage?" That was the business way of performing the task, and as business man Mir. Hildebrapds would not fail to appre- ciate it.
 The train began to slow down. A r guard called: Albany! Albany" Two young men, one in brown derby and the other wearing a very light fedora, entered and took places in the seat ahead of Wentworth.
 'Now, I'll show you that picture, Charley" said the Fedora, as the train rolled on again. He took out a photo graph and handed it to the other, who held it before him in such a position that tho Flat Ware Man could not i miss seeing it.
 By love! A stunner!'' exclaimed the Brown Derby. "What eyes! Say, old man, you're in luck"
 If the Flat Ware Man could not help seeing the picture at first, he could not help bending forward now close | to the others backs and glaring at it i between their shoulders. Well, there was no getting away from the hor- rid fact. The face was that of Dora HildebrSnd, and the hat was the same as one he had seen her wear. He knew it by @ peculiar aigrette. But what in thunder was this chap doing with the picture?
 "Yes, she's a mighty pretty girl, | Charley, and as clever and good as she is pretty. And what's better than all, she loves me. Think of it. Loves l me, a Hollow Ware drummer. Old man, I'll bet I'm the happiest sales man or any other man on this or any other train."
 The Flat Ware Man dived into his | pocket, brought out Dora's letter and | read it for the tWenty-first time to. ] make sure that there was no catch in her words. No. There it was in violet and heliotrope: "Of course love you, you great goose" What did 1t mean? Ye gods, big and little! I Was she trifing with him? Then he I called himself fool and several other things, lay back in his seat again I and tried to laugh. and reason away the dark misgiYings. Astonishing re- I sembIance,s of course, but there were so many girls in the world that some must look alike Besides, how could it be? She never knew any Hollow Ware man. Still, you couldn't tell. Girls were mighty ..-. .... "I.e wonder if it is. the family of. Hildebrands that my people know in New York?' said the Brown Derby The Flat Ware Man stopped arguing | with himself and was all attention for the new evidence. 'I never knew the family myself, but I've heard my mother and sisters speak of them. I think the girls were quite chummy | there once. Seems to me they lived i somewhere in Central park, west"
 aThat settles it." The words burst
 aloud from the Flat Ware Man, and
 when the others looked around they
 saw him regarding the bell-rope and
 humming in bad imitation of pre- occupied man. The Brown Derby
 winked at the Hollow Ware Man, and
 the latter remarked:
 l By the way, old chap, be ready any time to help me out as best man. The
 wedding may be very sudden. I have
 the governors consent. Don't fail me
 now"
 l The Flat Ware Mar was about te