New-York tribune., 1906-04-01


indeed! cried, though had not been wholly
aI4i oii5I pared lor such an answer That's really
L was told to seek lodgings"
here must be some mistake" replied the
dealer ciVilly; for it is the house is too small
TO accommodate my family"
AT this | must have feigned the siqns of extrer,e
annoyance rather ceverly; for the dealer ioned in
condemnation OF officious friends in general. and
especially OF one Mcpherson, a second auditor who
had 50 misled me
That ass McPherson,' l explained. has put
me to the greatest Inconvenience For, feeling
certain OF the rooms, have actually given this
assure my courteous listener, Il shall OF course
write al once and save you any trouble on that
score Please save the wardrobe for day or two
Ny name Is Josiah Brunson Dvkefellow
As / pronounced each syllable with distinctness 7
could perceive the dealer kindly face expand with
pleasure. Why, Mr.. Dykefellowi" he exclaimed,
letter came Tor YOU tins morning | was about to
return II to the carrier. Here it is"
thanked him, gave the square envelop only
caSua! glance before slipping an inner pocket
and then bought curio. scarcely knowing what |
did | could hardly wait to see nv purchase wrapped
IN newspaper. feared the dealer might think
better OF hs confidence and make demands on me
Tor identification. | felt the prick of conscience
that an honest man must feel who gains even a
righteous victory by disingenuous means.
When the door had closed behind me and was
free TO stride up Ninth-st. with nv curio beneath
my arm, | dreaded at every step to hear the hue
and CRY of Stop thief" at nv heels. Once safe
beyond the nearest corner. | actually ran. Up one
short Of breath, proceeding at a rapid walk came
at length TO a small, well-nigh deserted public
square, and here, seated on retired bench. eau
lOusly took out my blue enveop, and for the first
time scTutInIZed its SuperScription
The writer evidently person of decided
character; but whether 1t was i'm
possible 10 guess. There was something masculine
about the stationery which suggested a we'll
appointed club: but on the other hand the seal
OF violet the rather blurred impression of what
might have been a dainty crest, the smell of orrs
| TH Ike of 11fc ho-, A -I,a
PostInark II was non-committal to place, but
the hour and date clearly nine-thirty P NJ.
the previous day, which seemed rather late for a
lady; but again, few ever write In haste"
across the corner of letter OF course it would have
been a simple matter to have solved the mystery
then and there, but mystery solved can never
be itself again. and for the moment | determined
prolong the pleasures OF anticipation. | chuckled
TO myself, and cast friendly glance about me,
vaguely imagining what Sebyville might mean to
me in after years. Assuming easy attitude
upon the bench. gaZed into the sky.
" All, Fate" | was beginning TO soliloquize when
a rude voice beside interrupted.
Say, kape Yer feet often the grass unless We own
the earth, it said, and looking up saw before me
what We dom here anyway" the voice went on
while the YISage turned with undsguised suspicion
toward my curio which did look something like an
infant wrapped in newspaper.
| said that ! was waiting for my train, and asked
with all humility TO be directed to the station.
was answered with contumely. was command
ed TO Get a Oni'' | was told with scant
Civilty that the Union Station only block
away. Even YOU can't miss 1t, my informant
said. Follow South Ninth-st
! rose and thanked the man with all the dignity
at nv command. | also gave him cigar which
seemed TO mOllify him; but if my random flight had
brought me once more to the far end of Ninth-st,
from Selbyville depart without me rather than
have riSked another meeting with the curiosity
man As | sauntered nonchalantly in the wrong
direction, ! am sure that | caught vulgar diom
L 9TH -fll1