Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-06
Mr. Dunn in striking imitation of the Dying Gladiator.

There was no doubt that Mr. Dunn's first appearance had made a l sensation. But, after all, the little accident only served to exhibit the ! gracious tact and de1icacy of Miss Browne;c for after the first natural surprise at the unusual debut of her l guest, the gentle hostess recovered
 her composure, and soon restored
 the conventional and charming tone
 of her reception.
 The acquaintance, after MT. Dunn
 and Miss Browne had thus been
 thrown together, proceeded with all
 desired rapidity to ripen into close friendship. Tn fact, the stage of mere friendship did not last long so 1 far as Mir. Dunn was concerned. Finding Miss Browne to be quite as charming as report had made her, and also sincere and womanly, MT. Dunn once more yielded to an att traction as Irresistible as gravitation had been, and fell deeply in love with !; the beautiful Miss Browne. It was long before Miss Browne could forget that instantaneous snap shot of Mir. Dunn's meteoric entrance, | 1 by any outward sign that the farrell cal incident had made more than . l momentary impression.
 l No need to chronicle the progress of MT. Dunn's courtship. It led to the inevitable proposal.
 Late one afternoon MT. Dunn called, l and in little room back of that which had been the scene of his first appearance, he at last mustered cour- age to put the question that was to bring joy or despair.
 Miss Browne was troubled. MT. Dunn's heart sank when he saw her distress, but he was "a manly fellow and believed that he could. bear a re- fusa1.
 Haltingly, kindly, but with decision, Miss Browne at last gave her an swer. Then, having made her refusal as considerate as tact could make it, she looked pleadingly at her lover. She was amazed to see the change in his expression. Unfortunately, she had said something about certain scenes she could never forget" and this, in his nervous state of mind, had angered him.
 Miss Browne he began, in voice that was very different from his soft pleadings, certainly neither of us can ever forget that by an unfor- tunate accident I entered upon our acquaintance as a Tom-fool clown en- ters circus ring. But had thought you too sensible, too noble a woman to be influenced by trif1e that might weigh with chuckle-headed boarding school miss. If you have been unable to forget that bit of farce, count myself fortunate in being refused by you. No!-do not say 8 word! If my entrance was farce, my exit shall have dignity-the dignity of 3 mans sorrow. You will never see me again. Farewell!
 He had spoken so rapidly that she in vain tried to interrupt. And now, picking up his hat and cane, he re- peated his last word: "Farewe1l- forever!'' Then, turning with a truly tragic air of despair, he opened B door, and slammed it hastily behind him.
 Unfortunately Mir. Dunn had been so deeply interested in his own feel ings that he had not exactly taken his bearings. Just behind him were two doors that were much alike in outward seeming; but while one led into the outer corridor, and would thence have ushered him into bleak and desolate world, for which he was quite prepared, the other was the door to a sort of strong room, where MT Browne's family kept their plate and other va1uables. This door, which was just ajar, fastened with spring lock, and the key was in the custody of Mfr. Browne.
 Mr. Dunn was unlucky enough to choose for his dramatic departure the door of the silver closet, and when he slammed the door to empha- size his exit he only emphasized his imprisonment; for. with metallic chuclle, the spring bolt shot into place, and he was a safely locked up as the family silver.
 "Oh, Henry, what have you done!" exclaimed Miss Browne, hysterically, between laughter and tears.
 ssBlamed if I know!" came through the prison door. "Made fool of my self, as usual, suppose"
 @But we must get you out!'' she cried.s "I'm afraid you'll smother.
 q don't care if dol" was the des- perate response. "If you won't marry me. I'd just as soon die here as any where!"
 You needn't be so downhearted. won't have you feel so blue," said Miss Browne. "Tll-yes, I'll marry you, if you Hke-you foolish fellow! Now, will you be patient?"
 Patient? Now? I only wish was out% there!" cane the rebellious re- ply
 in a few minutes, and he has the key"
 The further conversation between prisoner and jailer was of too per sonal naturR to be of special inter est. Soon MT. Browne returned, and, being first sworn to eternal secrecy,