The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1913-11-05
His Blunder
By GREGORY GIBSON

Woolcott during the summer met
Miss Martindale and did lot of spoon
ing, with the usual result. However,
the affair was not brought to finish,
and Woolcott was obliged to take a
thousand mile trip for the purpose of
making proposition. He was pre-
pairing to do so when the lady wrote
him that she would be at NJ. short
ly and would be happy to receive him
there. Since NJ. was some 900 miles
nearer than her residence, WooIcott
concluded to see her there instead.
Miss Martindale wrote that she
would be at the Cliffs, meaning that
she would visit a family of that name
Woolcott took this to mean that she
would stop at hotel. On alighting at
the station he asked a man who was
in a hurry where he could find the
Cliffs. The man pointed to a hand
some house on a hill near by. He
found the baggage agent and, pointing
to the house, told him to send his
trunk there; then he set off to walk the
distance. On arriving he opened the
front door, entered spacious hallway
and saw a gentleman reading a news
paper before an open fireplace.
"The Cliffs, believer" said Woolcott
The gentleman looked up at him
over a pair Of glasses, somewhat sur
prised, and replied in the affirmative.
''Are you the landlord?' asked Wool
colt.
A twinkle came into the gentleman's
eye, and he replied that he was the
proprietor.
Il would like room in your house
for a few days." continued the travel
er. Have you a young lady staying
with you Of the name of Martindale?'
A light seemed to break in upon the
gentleman's brain. Miss Florence
Martindale? Certainly. She arrived
a 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 a 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,
to tell him TO show a gentleman to his
room who supposed he was in a ho-
tel and who was not to be told he was
in private house. Then Mr.. Cliff re-
turned to the guest, followed by the
butler, who took him upstairs. While
WOOlcOtt was making a toilet his bag
gage arrived and was sent up to him.
When he came downstairs he found
Mr.. Cliff in the library.
1--WE have very few guests at pres
ent," said the supposed landlord. You
see, ours is a summer house, and we
shall close up for the winter within a
few days or a week. 1t depends upon
how long can keep those who are
now with me. You will have to dine
alone. for all have gone on the auto
party
81 don't like that" said WoOlcOtt.
IF you are alone may we not dine
together?"
Certainly"
What wine have yOu?"
Mr.. Cliff mentioned several kinds of
wine. and his guest selected cham
payne He asked for wine card. but
| the host told him it was unnecessary
| WOolcott RECALLED his host with one bot
tie and called for another. The dinner
was delightfully."- served. and altogether
| WoOlcOtt found the landlord a very
agreeable companion Judging by the
number of foreign places he was ia
| miliar with. WoOlcOtt thought that he
must have kept hotels all over the
world. Mr.. Cliff suggested that. since
the auto party would not return till
| late. perhaps WOOlcOtt would not sit
| up for them. Since the latter did not
| relish meeting with the lady to whom
/ he had come to propose before Others
he said he thought he would go to bed
When he went down to breakiast in
the morning be met a genial party,
| every one of whom had been coached
| with regard to his reception. Miss
| Martindale had been Mortified at the
! blunder he had made She had eX-
! pected him to stop at hotel and call
| upon her at her friends. But Mr. elf
| pleaded with her to permit her friend
! to remain in ignorance of the situation
! temporarily and continue to be enter
| tanned by the Cliff family
| Miss MartindaIe advanced with a
! smile, not unmingled with embarrasS-
I ment. but RETAINED from mentioning
the mistake All sat down together to
breakfast, and Woolcott thought what
charming place it would be for him to
make his proposal
He had ample opportunity, for the
members of the family kept out of the
couples way. having some suspicion OF
the young mans Grand During. the
afternoon the two took a long walk
and when they came back WoolcOtl
looked very proud of himself. AT din
ner he remarked to Mrs. Cliff that be
had never before stopped 1T so charm
ing hotel.
"Hotelr' exclaimed the lady. feign
ing surprise.
| 0Nr WOOicott " said fha host 81 have