The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-05-11

did start when the polite clerk In
quired:
Looking for a friend. Mr.. Smith
No / said, Just wanted to see
if there was anyone here that I knew
and I recalled the fact that though :
had handed him the key when came
in, and the tag on it was stamped in
large numbers. 90 he had not looked
at the register since. Hence l came
TO the conclusion that he recognized
me as John Smith. and John Smith l
made up my mind I'd be. and it Is
still the name by which l am known
here
When / had finished breakfast.
felt more at peace with the world and
myself, and sat down in a quiet cor
ner of the Office TO ponder upon a flu
ture course of action. My position was
indeed, unique. not TO say pitt
full, and l remember thinking of a
story had once read of a Shipwrecked
sailor alone on a raft in the midst
of the ocean. Each narrowing detail
VI HIS NtilliC ~ SlAAh
could not help comparing my own
case with his, but for the life of me
could not think of where. when or
how I had read this strange, true
story. Still it was consoling thought
that in my case l was on terra firna.
surrounded by the passing throng
instead of angry blows, with money
that open sesame TO every lock in
my pocket; and l resolved 10 brace
up and use my most ardent efforts to
recover my lost identity.
1T was also comforting to think
that / 50 fully realized that l had a
paSt-even though at present buried
in oblivion. With all the ardor that
some poor wretches seek 10 escape
that past. that like Banquo's ghost.
Will not down. | tried TO throw every
faculty of my being into the effort
to recover mine. All in vain. The
knowledge came to me intuitively
that L had fairly good education:
that l had been used 70 mingling with
men and the world: that l had been a
resident of large cities. surrounded by
luXuries and with the most fastidious
tastes. But all this. of course. was
only like dim shadow upon an al
ready dark picture. and brought me no
nearer my home. my name or my
family. if indeed. I had the Latter.
While thus musing. young man
clad in a tweed suit of knickerbockers
entered the wide front doors
and took seat beside me.
In his hand he carried in canvass
case what seemed to be jointed rod
and reel. and as ne sat APPARENTLY wait
ing for some one. 7 began To study his /
face and person. He was about twen- |
ty-five years of age and Of an ath- /
letic build. His hair was light
brown. almost auburn. and his eyes |
deep blue mis- complexion clear and |
IF that ruddy and Wholesome look in /
duced by exercise in the open air. was /
tanned by the tropical sun. He was of |
medium height, and l thought very
handsome. He was smooth shaver. and /
as | gazed on his boyish face it came |
IVY upon titT llidA SOtiltsN mere III !
the long ago l had known and loved |
a boy that would make such a man. |
and that he was English. but where /
and when?
These reflections were Interrupted |
oy the entrance of a man who seemed |
/" he about the same age a. the first |
young man, but of an entirely diff /
erent type. He was putting a fra |
grant cigar and Was using as Il cane
A handsome. umbrella with golden
handle. | fmmelis .rely concluded he
VAS commercial traveller anG his
luick step and confident air confirmed
ne in my opinion even before he
spoke. He was evidently the person
'or whom the first man WAS wait /
ng, for he rose hurriedly with his
hand extended and meeting him near 4
he desk gripped the new comer's hand
md exclaimed
Hello. Johnson. old fellow. / saw /
'our name on the register, and have !
been waiting 10 See YOU. What are You
LONG with yourself
on | am travelling for II. y. olaf
in n Co. But you. Hal. | never eX-
pected To meet you in Florida When
We parted in London a year ago you
we're thinking of Calcutta If re-
member right YOU said you were going
nut Ia clerk for your uncle I'm aw- /
ully glad to see you once more. Come. II
ell me L. what good fortune owe the l.
pleasure of again srasping the hand of /,
I'D Hal West? What brought you
lere?'
We'll, TO begin with a fortnight K
after you sailed for New York and u
lust as / had concluded all my arran-
yements 10 go To Calcutta. there came 5
I cable from uncle Georges solicitor I.
the sad tidings of his sud i
len death. and that 1 was his sole heir.
Now. ! had not seen the dear old man /;