The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-10
The Gentleman
From Cupidville
BY ALAN HlNSDALE

One spring morning when the bud
were opening Howard Lane, a youn;
New Yorker, left his room on Contra
Park West and, entering the park
strolled along the mall smoking a ciga
rette. Presently he looked up at a mar
passing him and saw that he was the
very counterpart of himself. Eact
stopped and stared at the other.
Upon my wordT'
by Jovei"
You're myself, only better looking,
said Lane.
Permit me TO return the compli
ment"
You must be near blood relation
of mine. What is your namef"
"Spencer-Raymond Spencer. And
yours?"
Howard Lane. Come; let us sit
down on one of the benches and COM
pare notes l don't remember any
Spencer connections.
'Nor any Lanes"
The two passed an hour together,
each now and again looking up at the
other in wonder. almost fancying he
had a 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-
sophical. analytical, critical, cynical
indeed, everything that ends in al
but he was a man of intellectual vigor.
Spencer was an opimist and very
shallow He was on his way from San
Francisco to Europe.
AZ have an idea" said Lane.
"How does 1t feel?"
"You are a stranger to me, but you
are a gentleman I'm going to take
you into my confidence I'm In love-
poor fellow. Is it more bother than
having an idea?'
81 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 meT
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 APP
peared at the residence of Miss Mar
garet Thorne and sent up Mr.. Lanes
card. Miss Thorne came down with a
settled purpose. That purpose was to
give her lover his final quietus.
he =
Ter between u.s." she said, "and have
come to the conclusion that l am |
wrong in permitting you to hope. A
nan who has reasoned himself into
he belief that life is but an empty
lream' | could not be happy with.
will never be yours"
The man grasped the back of chair
or support and brushed back his hair
TOO later he exclaimed In the tone
f one for whom the bottom had drop
ed out of his life.
Have you coldT' asked Miss
horne, surprised, especially at the
one of his voice. which was deeper
han usual. She was still more sur
rised when her lover rushed toward
er and. seizing her hand, poured forth
n impassioned appeal
Until our last meeting" he said, Il
Id not realize that you were right and
was wrong Life is not an empty
ream. and you have made me see 1t.
life is real. life is earnest ! had re-
)lved to throw of the depressing phi
,sophy by which have been bewitch-
/. ] had set a goal-under -FOUR In
liration-determined TO do or die. We
red one gentleman in political affairs
had resolved TO enter upon a career
hich. beginning with the state legis-
ture. might end in the White House.
ut. alas. without YOU I am powerless!
evertheless I shall go abroad and (
nk away into q degenerate globe trot-
r"
what has come over your she I
ked.
your influence. 1t has had its effect 4
last
Mr.. I-ane-Howand. I cannot under /.
aud this Sudden change. Do you
can all you say 4
Il swear Il"
To.okfng nm he saw n rYrfzvfea r-ufe- I 4