The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-06-21
he leaped out in a manner which was
almost suicidal In it's haste.

nc EUSuSO AutO u ~ 6uu wan OIlv00
to the hotel. The hall porter smiled
at him and touched his cap.
Afternoon, sir" he said, cordially.
Luggage coming on1''
mo, no; I'm not stopping" snapped
Mr.. Bolam. 1--WE only come down for
an hour or two" Then, lowering his
voice little, he said: '.There was
Mr.. bruce staying here. Can you tell
me where he's Comet"
The porter smiled knowingly. "He's
gone on his wedding trip, sir" he re-
piled.
Married they was at Saint Nicholas
yesterday, sir. The brides father give
the lady away. and they've gone OF
abroad for the honeymoon"
Bolam looked up eagerly, and slipped
into the mans hand half crown.
'Look here!" he said, hurriedly. "Do
me favor. Here is my card. Let
me know directly they return"
At the beginning Of the fifth week
the postman brought him letter
which bore at the back the crest Of
the Hotel Ventnor. He tore it open
with trembling fingers. An ill-written
note lay within. The hall porter pre-.
sented his compliments, and begged to
inform Mr.. Bolam that 'Mr. and Mrs.
Denham bruce" had Just arrived at
the hotel.
"Now for It," muttered Mr.. Bolam,
and once again he set out for the
south coast, land I wish to goodness
I'd never had anything to do with the
wretched business at all.'
.
When he entered the private sitting
room of the hotel he saw the tramp
seated at table writing something.
Near the window the bride, looking ex-
ceedingly brown and happy, was en-.
gagged in sewing. She smiled as Mr..
BOlam entered.
I'VE have been expecting you-my
husband and L." she said, sweetly, and
the strange gentleness of her tone
caused Mr.. Bolam to feel more nervous
than ever. "Won't you sit DOWN.
"No," he cried, II won't. I haven't
come here to congratulate you or to
beat about the bush. I've come here
to tell you that you've been and done
the most mad thing woman could do.
You've married an impostor. That
man is not Denham bruce. He is q
tramp whom picked up outside Q
common lodging house in Drury Lane.
His likeness to bruce gave me an idea,
an idea by which I believed might
punish you for not accepting me. You
understand, I helped him to imperson.
ate bruce, but I swear that never
dreamed the scoundrel would 60 SO
far as actually to marry you. put
this statement on record here and now,
In the hearing of you both, and shall
repeat it In the witness box If the
occasion arises. Let that man deny
It IL he can"
The tramp advanced toward Mr.. Bo
lam with smile.
II certainly shall not deny It," he
said. 1T is all perfectly true. More.
over, my wife was aware Of the whole
truth when she did me the honor to
accept me-"
"What7" gasped Mr.. Bolam, as his
knees began to shake. "What? You
actually had the assurance to tell her
the truth"
''The truth-the whole truth-and
nothing but the truth" replied the
tramp, with a curious smile. II told
her of your scheme, I told her Of my
part In it, and told her something
else which you did not know-I told
her that was. in reality, Denham
bruce himself, and not his double!"
"You-Dunham Druce!" muttered
Mr.. Bolam, catching at the table for
support.
Precisely. The signature at the
foot Of this check which am going to
present you with, and its subsequent
cashing at my bank, will convince you
that am speaking the truth. You see
I CHANGED to be Summing on the night
you met me-slumming for the pur-
poses of my new novel, and I was
dressed for the part. Seeming an i'd
venture, resolved to aid you, but not
in the manner you intended. I came
down here-I met very charming
lady-we became friends, and the rest
you know as well as do. And now,
Mr.. Bolam, you will kindly accept this
check. which will refund you the ex-
pense you have incurred for my ward
robe and hotel bills, and you will then
take your choice Of leaving this hotel
by the door or by the window"
A pause followed. Mr.. Bolam tried
to speak. but his rage was too terri
BILE for words. He perceived an
ominous look in the authors eyes, and
he moved toward the door.-P. Beau
toy In Tit-Bits.