The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-09-20
A CURTAILED VISIT.
III 4. n. DE MILE.

Jim was having a houso-party at
hi. summer place in New Hampshire,
and invited me down to escape a little
of the hottest New York weather.
lie asked me fortwo weeks; my actual
%sojourn lasted about IL hours. This
story tells why. Jim and | were close
chums until he married Mrs. jim.
Then. naturally enough, IA paths
diverged. ] was a determined bache-
Tor, and didn't mind saying so-which
worried Jim.
Its all very well,'' | would say,
"now. But just wait until the nov
city wears Off
"Nonsense!" Jim would break in.
"l've been married six months, and
there's not the least change in my
feelings. or-0, you needn't grin like
that and there our conversations
would generally end.
However, ] at once accepted his in
vitGtion aforesaid. as Jim was far too
good a fellow to lose track Of. lie
held out as extra induccment the
prospect Of meeting Mrs. Jim. |
swallowed this with the invitation.
And 80 it was that, one blistering Au-
gust afternoon, / drove with Jim up
TO his house.
"The Others are all cooling of in
the woods" he said. "All except
Alicia. So when you have had a
brush up. You can come and see her"
Alicia was Mrs. Jim.
The journey had been hot and dus-
ty. and | vas in a similar condition.
l was therefore Immediately con-
Quoted to the bathrooms sumptu-
Gus, whitc-tiled apartment, with a
huge porcelain tank sunk in the floor.
II wac at n end Of a long corridor
which ran the whole length Of the
second story, with numerous rooms
opening or each side. At the other
end were the stairs.
There's not a soul about" said
Jim. 80 you can slip on your dress
ing gown over your paiamas. and run
in here from your own room. IT..
only a step along the corridor"
Ny bath was a distinct success,
When | emerged l felt vigorous
enough to go through some gymnas.
tic exercises, at the termination OF
which kicked my dressing gown and
pajamas into the water. This cooled
my enthusiasm. The next point was
to regain my room. ! donncd the
wet dressing gown, listened for q
moment, then traversed the corridor
and dashed into my own room. But
when looked for my %valises, brushe.
and clothes, they were nowhere to be
seen. Instead, | saw a number Of
small, high-heeled shoes scattered
about. while the mirror was draped
with a quantity of white, fuzzy stuff,
and upon the bureau lay mysteriou.
silver mounted articles and many lit.
tie brightly-colored boxes and bot,
ties. 1t was not my room. / hastily
Withdrew 10 the passage. There were
good many doors in that corridor
In fact, it seemed to me at the time
~ il the walls were entirely composed
of doors. / tried one. 1t was locked
Another. Same result. Then {
third.
''Thank Heaven!" / cried. "Thit
ones open!"
1t swung back, revealing a flighr
IF stairs leading TO a wide yard, OF
the other side Of which stood a barn
And just then | heard footsteps ant
the rustic Of skirts. In a moment
was outside the door. clinging DIES
perately TO the handle. Presently tn,
footsteps ceased and the handl,
moved. / glanced at my dripping at
tire and stockinged feet, and meas
ured the distance to the barn. Tn,
footsteps went on. felt instructive
ly that they had gone for assistance
There was nothing for it. ! Pade
dash for the barn. 1t was cool ant
airy, and the gravel hurt my feet, ant
| felt all alone in the world, but
.nnlnl L. la.a Ill., AMMAN