Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-11-22
!; THE COURTSHIP !: +,
!, OF VANDYKE : /.
. K. BROWN F: /.
,-H.>.>-~->.>.>->->.>

lionaire, announced his intention Of
crossing the herring pond in search
of an English bride. Aristocratie ma
irons trotted out their maria geabl.
daughters as bait for this Croesus and
spent fortunes at the millinsr's. OF
course the wise knew all along that he
would choose his bride from English
society or, if not he might find suit
able mate among the fair galaxy OF
ladies on the west end stage One OF
other was inevitable.
But Vandyke X Brown did not carry
out any of the maneuyers already plan
ned for him. One day he calmly shaw
ed of his mustache and beard and. as
Stunning the commonplace appellation
of Richard Seymour, set out alone FOR
England. Society on both sides of thu
Atlantic was Disguised at thus being
given the slip and for the nonce felt
completely batiied.
1t was a bright June morning. and
Richard Seymour. as he should now be
called, was seated in first class rail
way carriage at London Bridge station
down to the quiet little watering place
of Westbrook, where he contemplated
spending a couple of months in seclu-
sion and enjoying himself. So far he
had eluded capture by society and
laughed Mt its futile efforts to thrust
him into fashionable marriage.
He was the only occupant of the car
rage brt as the train was on the
move the door was thrown open. and a
man in a large brimmed felt hat jump
ed in. Seymour looked up as a porter
banged the door with a crash as only
porters can and then continued the
study of his morning paper.
Before he reached Westbrook he
found himself in a dilemma. Firstly,
a paragraph in the paper proved that
he would lave some difficulty in main
tanning his iaeognito after. all. for it
announced his intended visit to West
brook. Now. this on the face of 1t was
strange. because he had revealed his Sc
cret to no one. Secondly careful, ex-
animation of his fellow travellers face
caused him to start. for the man be-
fore him bore striking likeness to
himself prior to his having undergone
the shaving operation. He therefore
began to wonder whether the para
graph in the paper referred to himself
or to the other man, who so nearly re-
Vandyke X. Brown as New /
York knew him.
But on reaching Westbrook his I
doubts were at once set at rest. Step |
ping on to the platform. he was aston |
ished to See the town band drawn uD /
in n line preparing to enliven his ears I
with breezy music. Moreover the may
Or. in all his robes and paraphernalia
II office. was waiting with his council
,rs TO receive some one, and the entire
population of Westbrook, visitors in
GUIDED. seemed to have crowded into
the road tina, ran parallel with the sta
ion.
All this Seymour took In at glance
md then hesitated as to whether he
should make a bolt for it But there
vas no need. The mayor came forward
md. passing him without so much as a
ook. went straight up TO Seymour's fell
ow traveller. who was now struggling
With weighty portmanteau. and held
put his hand.
Welcome, Mr.. Vandyke Brown" he
said affably.
The other looked up. surprised, and
hen grasped the outstretched hand
with decision.
Good morning. Mr.. - Whom
nave I the pleasure of addressingT
-'Oh. my names Martin. l happen to
the mayor Of Westbrook."
Pleased TO meet you, I'm sure.
expect my visit to this town will be
Tery pleasant one. But / never antici-
,ated such a reception. l must con-
ess that | was in hope l should not be
I'm that case l must ask your pardon
or our intrusion. But we thought we
hould like TO show our appreciation of
tour choosing Westbrook for a holt
lay" responded the urbaue magnate
neekly.
Just then the band struck up See
he Conquering Hero Comes = Sey-
nour thought there wa a distinct hui
nor in the selection of the tune-and
he twain moved off. Some outrageous
Mistake had been made accidentally
r on purpose; but by whom3 And
rho was the pseudo yandyke X.
srown- He thought il would be better
, let things remain as they were for
he present at any rate. although he
esolyed 10 keep his eye upon his i'm
ex-senator. Bat for cool cheek that
han takes the biscuit with the factory
brown in" he muttered.
And when he had ordered porter to
lie his unpretentfous luggage On the
Do OF cab he turned away and in
uiged in a hearty laugh
Seymour's object in coming TO Eng I
Ind had been attained-he had fallen
, love. Tie scarcely knew how it hap
ened. but before he had been in West
rock a week be found himself hope
ssly struggling With the first symp- I
'ms: not that she was a society or the $
trfcai beauty. a Venus TO look upon
: anything of that sort From what
2 could gather she was the only |
aughter of country squire. pretty I