The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-10-24
By GREGORY GIBSON

SsO0A$OkN' wi III ~ 1VAA FlAQt III
would stop at q. hotel. On aIighting a
the station he asked a man who wal
in a hurry where he could find th,
Cliffs. The man pointed. to a hand
some house on a hill near BY. HI
found the baggage agent and. pointing
to the house. told him to send hi.
trunk there; then he set OF to walk thu
distance. On arriving he, opened ths
front door. entered a spacious hallway
and saw 4, gentleman reading q news
paper before an. open fireplace. -,
'The Cliffs. I believe" said Woolcott
The. gentleman looked up at him
over q pair Of glasses. somewhat sur.
prised. and replied in the affirmative.
"Are you the landlord?' asked Wool.
colt.
A twinkle came into the gentleman'a
eye. and he replied that he was the
proprietor.
II would like Il oom in your house
for a few days." continued the travel
or. 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 ri call q
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 no.
tel and who vas not to be told he was
in a 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.
I'VE have very few guests at pres
ent." said the supposed landlord. You
see. ours is q summer house.. and we
shall close up for the winter within q
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
Il don't like that" said Woolcott.
IF you are alone may we not dine
t~ogether:"
Certainly"
what wine have .you.!"" - q.
Nj. CliY mentioned}several kinds.of
Wine. and bis guest sselectedfscham-.
payne. He asked for 4 wine cardsSbut
the host told him 1t was unnecessary.
Woolcott regaled bis host with n bot
tie and called for another. The dinner
was delightfully."- served. and altogether
Woolcott found the. landlord q very
agreeable companion. Judging BY tho
number Of foreign placea he was IA
miliar With. Woolcott thought that hs
must. hare kept. hotels all. oNegsAaee
.woeidsss. NJ. Clio suGgeqted.thatssstnce
the auto party wouldsnot return dlt
late. perhapa WOolcOtt would Dot: at
up for them. Since the latter did not
relish 4 meeting with the lady to whom
be had come to propose before others
he said he thought he would 60 to bed.
When he went down TO breakfast In
the morning he met q. genial. party.
every a Of whom had been coached
with regard to his. reception. Miss
Martindale had been horrified At the
biunder he had. made. She had ex-
;ected him to stop ut q hotel and call
upon her at her friend's. But Mr.. Cit6
pleaded With her to permit her friend
to remain In ignorance OF the situation,
temporarily and continue 10 DO enter
tanned by the cur family.
Miss Martindaie advanced With .
smile. not unmingled with embarrass-
tnent. but refrained from mentioning
the mistake. All sat down together 70
breakfast. and Woolcott thought Whist
a charming place It wonid be for him 70
make his proposal.
He had ample opportunity. fer The
members or the family kept oat u ,rhs
couples way hesing somessnspie3ea 81
the young mans errand. Durtng tn
afternoon the two took I long wal,
and when, they came back Woolcott
looked very prae!ulfdl IL, a Il y a & DIN J;
nnear. lie remarked Is Mrs. 'Cti6: that he
had never before stopped q . CHARM
ing q hotel.
.Hotel!" exclaimed the .ady. feisn-
ing surprise
aAir. WOOlcott.'. said the host. ~ have
70 thank yon TOR making Z mistake q
taxing my house FOR i hotel. Had you
mot done 10, / shond NOT have Ind tho
pleasure of entertaining yeu.''As.
WooIcOtt nav ~ the books Of thoss
.IrpreGsnt. especially his 6ances. that -
Iahad blundsred. but both host and hoat,