The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-29
lis Blunder
BY GREGORY GIBSON


the affair was not brought to finish
and Woolcott was obliged TO take Il
thousand mile trip for the purpose of
making a proposition. He was pre-
pairing to do SO when tie lady wrote
him that she would be ut NJ. short
ly and would be happy to receive him
there Since NJ. was some 800 miles
nearer than her residence Woolcott
concluded to see her there instead.
Miss Martindaie wrote that she
would be at the Cliffs. meaning that
she would visit family of that name,
Woolcott took this to mean that she
would stop at hotel. On alighting at
the station he asked man who was
in a hurry where be could find the
Cliffs. The man pointed to hand
some house on bill near 10y. He
found the baggage agent and. pointing
to the house. told him to send his
trunk there: then he set of to walk the
distance. On arriving he opened the
front door. entered spacious hallway
and saw gentleman reading II news
paper before an open fireplace.
The Cliffs. believer" said Woolcott
The gentleman looked up at hin,
over u pair of glasses. somewhat sur
priSed. and replied in the affirmative.
Are you the landlord?" asked Wool
colt
A twinkle came into the gentIeman's
eye. and he replied that be was the
proprietor
Il would like a room in your house
for few days" continued the travel
er- Have YOU "a young lady stayin.
with you of the name of Martindaie.'
A light seemed to break in upon the.
gentiemans brain. Miss Florence
Martindale: Certainly. She arrived
Il few days ago But she's out in an
auto just now. She will not return till
late tonight. BE seated and I'll call a
servant to show you To Il room"
Howard Cliff. banker. entertaining a
few friends at his country residence.
had sent them off in his car. remaining
at home himself He went himself for
the butler. instead of ringing for him.
10 tell him to show gentleman to his
tel aud who was not TO be told he was
III i private house Then Mr.. Cliff re-
turned to the guest. followed by the
butler. who took him upstairs. While
Eoolcott was maLin,, :, toilet his hag-
,r.,.re. arrivad ,ua v,s sant IN Tn him
Whom ha ro,na downstairs he found
Mr. Cliff in the library
I'VE have very few .y,1ests at pres
ant said tha sunnosed landlord .You
500 ours j. q summer ho,,Sa and we
Sh,u c,osa u,, for tho y;ntar within =
fa,v a.vS or :, wool. II danpnds unon
ho7v ,onr can keen those who are
nav With mo you will have to dine
atona for all have gone on the auto
narty'
II don't like that" said Woolcott.
IF Won arc alone may we NOT dine
torotbor9,.
.Certainlv"
What wine have you:"
Mr. Cliff mentioned several kinds of
vino and his r,1est selected cham
n.,na ua asked for ;, wine card. bur
the host told him il was unnecessary.
V-oolcott RECALLED his host with one bot
tie and called for another The dinner
was delightfully."- served. aud altogether
Woolcott found the landlord very
agreea bic companion Judging by the
number of foreign places he was IA
miliar with. Wooicott thought mat ne
must have kept hotels all over the
world. Mr.. Cliff suggested that. since
the auto party would not return Til
late. perhaps Woolcou would not SIT
up for them. Since the latter dli not
relish Il meeting with the lady 70 Whoin
be had come TO propose befofe otners
be said he thought he would go 10 ptei
When he went down to brea@'ast I'D
the morning he met senlai party.
every one OF whom had been coached
with regard 10 his reception MISS
Martindale had been mortified at the
blunder BIZ had made She h1d eX'
pected BIN To stop at hotei and cali
! upon her at her friends. But Mr. CHI
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