Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-12-26
The Gentleman
From Cupidville
By ALAN HlNsDALE


One spring morning when the buds
were opening Howard Lane. young
New Yorker; left his room on Central
Park West and, entering the park,
strolled along the mall smoking ciga-
rette. Presently he looked up at man
passing him and saw that he was the
very counterpart Of himself. Each
stopped and stared at the other.
upon my word!'
by Jovey'
you're myself, only better looking"
said Lane.
Permit me to return the compn-
ment."
You must be a near blood relation
Of NINE What is your namer
"spencer-Raymond Spencer. And
yoursY'
Howard Lane. Come; let US sit
down on one Of the benches and COM
pare notes. don't remember any
Spencer connections"
Nor any Lanes"
The two passed an hour together,
each now aud again looking up at the
other in wonder, almost fancy1ng he
had mirror before him; but, while
they were identical in face and figure,
they soon noticed that they were very
unlike in disposition. Lane was philo-
eophical, analytical critical, cynical
indeed, everything that ends in al
but he was a man of Intellectual vigor.
Spencer was an optimist and very
shallow. He was on his way from San
Francisco to Europe.
II have an idea," said Lane.
"How does It feelT'
"You are 4 stranger to me, but you
are a gentleman. I'm going to take
you into my confidence. I'm in love"
"Poor fellowl Is it more bother than
having IN tdeaT'
II have been unsuccessful with the
lady. She likes me, but says I'm too
dead and alive for life companion"
''Why not turn her over to me?'
THAT'S Just what I'm thinking Of"
A bargain was made, and when the
two left the park they went to Lanes
rooms, where Spencer was put In tenn
porary possession Of the owners ward
robe. That evening Mr.. Spencer ap-
peared at the residence Of Miss Mar
garet Thorne and sent up Mr.. Lanes
card. Miss Thorne came down with
settled purpose That purpose was to
give her lover his final quietus.
II have been thinking over the mat
ter between u.s." she said, "and have
come to the conclusion that I am
wrong in permitting you to hope. A
man who has reasoned himself into
the belief that life is but an empty
dream could not be happy with.
win never be yours"
The man grasped the back Of Z chat,
for support and brushed back hig hail
dramatically.
"Too later he exclaimed in tho tone
Of one for whom the bottom had drop
ped out OF his life.
"Have you q coldT' asked Mis-
Thorne, surprised, especially at thu
tone Of his voice, which was deeper
than usual She was still more sur
prised when her lover rushed towart
, her and, selling her hand, poured fortl
! an impassioned appeal
Until our last meeting" he said, q
did not realize that you were right ant
was wrong. Life Is not an empt!
dream, and you have made me REQ 1t
Life is real, life is earnest I had re
! solved to throw OF the depressing phi
! losophy by which have been bewitch
: ed. 1 had set q goal under your in
spiration- determined to do or die. W.
3 need one gentleman 1n3pohtical affair
I had resolved to enter upon caree
which, beginning with the state legia
lature, might end in the White House
But. alas, without yonI am powerlesa
] Nevertheless u shau 30 abroad an
sink away into degenerate globe trot
3 ter" --~e +ssssS*s
( what hasGcelaii121ever your oh
= asked. s.
s "Your inau,ne>z II. had it. snee
: ct last" G&3--sss4t $50 = > :
3 mi. LAne-Howard, cannot unde,
= stand this 00681nsc23lange. Do 10
mean Ill you say r,
NJ swear It."
III Looking up. 10 u 81 = puzzled, md,
| cided look Oh Her 1ace. Rising, b
cla1ped her IL hi tt1lS, and, while Oh
turned away AelE she did nc
i stzugxie to bozeleoiaid. In three mil
utee-ten sinco inferred ha
II promised TO be his wife. sss>>5 81
4 Ths next morning the two COUNTS