A Daughter of Delilah — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A FALSE TELEGRAM. 13 drag a fellow miles from home on a night like this, attired as Tam! What a wild-goose chase! By Jove! I shall have to put my inventive faculties to work! Any stuff would do for my aunt, bless herinnocent soul! But Minnie isn’t to be cajoled quite so easily !’’ In obedience to the command—the entreaty—contained in the telegram, he had hastened to Bridgley, without waiting to make a reasonable explanation to either his aunt or sister. The potent name of Isabel utterly effaced them, and it only occurred to him now how bitter would be their disappointment at losing an escort who had en- geaged a box at the opera for them that very day. This, however, might be partially, if not wholly, allayed by their anxiety concerning his eccentric behavior. He had hastened to Bridgley, and having a smart tongue in his head, was not long in finding that there in- deed was sucha place as the Stars and Stripes Hotel. It was situated a good mile from the station, amidst a wild bit of country, and Edgar had been effusively welcomed by the proprietor, for business at this period of the year was notoriously slow. In his sanguine heart he hoped that the young gentleman might be the advance guard of an aris- tocratic party who had tired of the glamours of the town. But he was soon undeceived by being permitted to read the telegram, while Alston kept the name of Isabel care- fully covered. ‘“‘T have no idea what it means, sir,’’ he said, dubiously; ‘but,’ with rising hope, ‘it is very likely—indeed, it is certain—that somebody intends to meet you here, and I am sure thatIcan make you comfortable for any length of time.’’ Gomichboo S (E(0) m