The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-19

A month later he died. He left me a
fortune. which was all the more stag.
gering In view Of the circumstance that
had seen me named for my Uncle
John and not for him.
1t was not long afterward that
made a perfect fool of myself by fall
ing In love. 1t turned out very badly.
! can't imagine what got into me to
want to commit bigamy after | had
already proclaimed myself to be irrev.
ocably welded to my profession. New.
ertheless deliberately coveted the ex-
perience and would have attained to 1t
no doubt had it not been for the young
woman In the case She would have
none of me, but, with considerable in
dependence of spirit and. must say,
noteworthy acumen. elected to wed a
splendid looking young fellow who
clerked in a jewelers. shop in Fifth
avenue. They had been engaged for
several years. 1t seems. and my swoi
len fortune failed TO disturb her sense
Of fidelity. Perhaps you will be inter.
ested enough in a girl who could re-
fuse to share fortune of something
like 100000 mot counting me. Of
course) to let me tell you briefly who
and what she was. She was my typist
that is to say, she did piecework for
me as happened to provide substance
for her active fingers to work upon
when she wasn't tipping law briefs in
the regular sort of grind. Not only
was she an able typist. but she was an
exceedingly wholesome, handsome and
worthy young woman.
Somehow was able to attribute the
fiasco to an Unborn sense of shyness
that had always made me faint heart.
ed. dilatory and unaggressive. N
doubt II I had gone about it roughshot
and fiery could have played hob with
the excellent jewelers. peace Of mind.
to say the least
Still. some men. no matter how shy
and procrastinating they may be-or
reluctant, for that matter-are doomed
to have love affairs thrust upon them,
as you will perceive II you follow the
course Of this narrative to the bitter
end.
In order that you may know me
when you see me struggling through
these pages. as one might struggle
through a morass on a dark night,
shall take the liberty OF describing my
self In the best light possible under the
circumstances.
1 am tallish sort of person. moder-
ately homely and not quite thirty FIVE.
l am strong. but not athletic, Whatever
physical development possess was
acquired through the ancient and hon.
orable game of golf and in swimming.
In both of these sports am quite pro-
6cient My nose is rather long and in
qussitive. and my chin is considered to
- singolarly firm for one who has no
amsrtion to become herN MY thatch
= abundant and quite black. So there
ycu are. Not quite what you would
call lady killer or even a lady's man.
] fancy you'll say.
You will be surprised to learn. how.
ever, that secretly am of rather ro
mantle. Imaginative turn of mind.
Since eariiest childhood have consort
ed with princesses and ladies of high
degree mentally. of course-and my
bosom companions have been knights
of valor and longevity.
At thirty-6ve | am still unattached
and. so far as can tell, unloved. For
the past year have done little or no
work. MY books are few and far be-
tween. My best work is done when
the madding crowd is far from me.
A month ago. in Vienna. ] felt the
plot breaking out on me, very much as
the measles do. at most inopportune
time for everybody concerned. and my
secretary, more wide awake than you'd
imagine by looking at him. urged me
to coddle the muse while she was will.
ing.
1t was especially annoying coming.
as II did, just as was about to set
or for fortnights motorboat trip up
the Danube with Elsie Hazard and
her stupid husband, the doctor.
The fourth day Of our delectable ex.
cursion brought us to an ancient town
whose name ycu would recall If were
fool enough to mention 1t and where
we were to put up for the night. On
the crest of stupendous crag over
hanging the river. almost opposite the
town. which isn't far from Krems.
stood the venerable but unvenerated
castle Of that high handed old robber
baron. the first of the Rotbhoefens.
We picked up little of its history
while in the town and the next MORN
ing crossed over to visit the place. Its
antiquity was considerably enhanced
by the presence Of caretaker who
would never see eighty again and
whose wife was even older. Their two
sons lived with them in the capacity
OF loafers and, as things 60 in these
rapid times Of ours, appeared to be
even older and more sere than their
parents.
1t Is winding and tortuous road
that leads up to the portals of this
huge old pile. Halfway up the hill we
paused to rest, and quite clearly re-
member growing that If the confound.
ed thing belonged to me I'd build
funicular or install an elevator without
delay.
The next day instead Of continuing
our delightful trip down the river we
three were scurrying to Saalsburg.
urged By a sudden and stupendous