The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-03-07
THE RICH JOHN SMITH

| ~ WIS tlFA hArA "a ~ tIAtlt VI ttt%
great metropolis. but she had received
her instructions. and. selecting her
portmanteau. she had II removed 10 a
cab and. jumping In. ordered the man
10 drive 20 the Ballarat mansions In
Victoria street. Westminster.
i Hilda was not little anxious, be-
cause she had arrived In town day
ahead OF her Invitation. and she was
not certain whether her bachelor broth
er, with whom she was going 20 stay
for month or six weeks, would be
ready 10 receive her.
The door was opened by hard faced
looking woman of the charwoman type,
who stood gazing at her without NOV
Ing away from the entrance.
lis this Mr.. Smith'sY asked Hilda.
Eyes, miss" replied the woman,
without Offering TO let her In, how
ever.
us he az homer
mo, he amt. and don't know when
be Will be-"
But did he not expect met He Is
my brother. and | have come TO stay
with him"
"Oh Indeed. miss. Well. he didn't
say nothing TO me about IT," answered
the woman. but suppose you'd better
have the spare room" And she stepped
aside with a grudglng air as she al
lowed the fair girl 10 enter.
\ Turning on the electric light she
showed IIilda into a handsomely fur
nished bedroom whose white and gold
paint and blue satin furniture cnused
her 10 open her eyes IN wonder, for her
brother was not supposed at home to
be IN luxurious circumstances. The
housekeepcr brought her cup OF ten
and some bread and butter, after
which she retired 20 rest and did not
wake until late the following morning
"Air Smith came home late last
night. miss" said the housekeeper
when she aroused her with the hot
water. "and told me 20 say that he
would Join yon az breakfast"
The breakfast table was picture 10
the eyes Of the frugally brought up
country girl. for II was covered with
every delicacy in or out Of season, and
Hllda was admlring the priceless china
when she heard footsteps approaching
and turned around 10 welcome her
brother
oh Jack, she exclaimed dancing
toward the door. with her arms out
stretched. I'm so glad
Then she stopped suddenly. as though
she had been shot. for tall. dark,
handsome man. quite the opposite OF
her brother in appearance. entered the
room
II am afraid that somebody has
made a mistake" he said In soft.
kind, reassuring voice. "But / cannot
be sufficiently grateful 10 whoever Is 10
blame for sending me such a charming
guest TO breakfast"
81 expected 20 meet my brother-M Mr..
smith," Observed Hilda. nearly chox-
Ing with confusion. "Mr John Smith"
NE name IS John Smith, said the
stranger, with an amused smile.
"Of Ballarat mansionsT continued
Hilda.
"Ah. now see how the mistake oc-
Cured" exclaimed Mr. Smith. This Is
No. 6, but there Is another John Smith
at No. 3. and our letters frequently get
mixed up | can only say that l am
sorry Il Is the other John Smith who Is
the lucky man on this occasion. And
now. my dear young lady. let us go 70
breakfast"
At first IIilda could neither eat MOI
speak, but her host In short time had
succeeded IN putting her so much nj
her ease that she was chattering away
to him about her family, her home and
all her little domestic affairs
That breakfast must have lasted m
unconsciously long period. but Mr..
Smith did not appear 10 be DESTROYS OF
hurrying II. and everything was so de.
lIghtfully strange and novel 10 Hilda
that she did not notice the lapse OF
time until her companion suggested
that II they went around now they
would likely find "the other Mr.. Smith"
at home 10 lunch.
Hilda hurried away 10 put her hat
on. and the more she looked az the OK
quislteiy furnished room, with It's cut
glass perfume bottles. chased silver
powder boxes and all the hundred and
one little additions that go toward max
ing n woman happy, the more she won
dered for whom II had been prepared.
Fortunately when they arrived at
Bailarat mansions they found "the
other Mr.. Smith" at home on the top
floor, and Hilda could not help noticing
how wonderfully civil he was 10 her
host and how eagerly he accepted his
offer to dinner ON the following even
ing for himself and sister.
After he had gone. however, the mat
ter was explained.
THAT Is John Smith, the million
aire.' said her brother imprcsslvely.
.and he h the managing director OF the
i rntnnanv I worlr for I"