The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-02-12
THE WHITEHALL PIT.

awe ASA~
st. Nicholas.
THE WHITEHALL PIT.
By ALBERT WEBSTER, JR.
On June evening there sat at a table
in one of the parlors of house among
the Essex hills four persons, one of whom
was detailing an experience that had be-
fallen him that day.
The host sat opposite the relator. On
his right hand, silent and motionless, was
Godfrey Nassau, the young rector, and on
his left was his daughter.
This story.teller was handsome and
powerfully-built man of thirty. 1t ap'
peared that he had that day, while in
search for subjects for sketching, come
suddenly upon an immense, terrible, and
dangerous pit, the edges of which were
secreted by fringe of under-brush.
The narrator described the place, vivid
ly setting forth its features, and dwelling
upon the horrors of falling into it.
At this point the girl moved little,
and the two young men perceived that
she had become pale. Nassau saw that
the speaker observed it, but still he hest
tated to interfere.
The other, tlattered at the effect he had
produced. went on, and with skill enlarg-
ed upon the agonies of downward flight
through the air, and dwelt with minute
ness upon the final shock, and the dis
memberment of the body.
Miss Alice, trembling from head to
foot, here fell forward in faint.
She was carried from the room, and,
after short absence, the host returned to
assure his guests that they need feel no
apprehension in regard to her.
He found them in the midst of a hot
dispute. He listened for moment in as
constituent.
Said Nassau in a half:suppressed, but
penetrating, voice:
II am certain that that was a deliberate
attempt on your part to produce an effect.
You were wanton and cruel"
ut seems to me that you are showing a
temper that does not become q rector"
ut is as much the duty of a rector, sir,
to declare his antipathy to an i'll as it is
to show his love for virtue"
Nassau! Nassau! Sir!" The host here
fastened forward. Nassau, am sur
prised-you are too hasty. You jump at
conclusions.
There was moments silence.
"Come, Nassau" said the host finally,
"come, let me make your peace; permit
me to express your goodwill for my guest
may not?"
Certainly, if you will be so kind"
Each made rigid and formal bow, and
then, after the silence of another instant,
the host essayed new and more cheerful
vein of talk. Both Nassau and Willis
made formal attempts at courtesy, but
these each and all lacked the saving grace
of truth, and so they chilled upon the air
like winter breaths.
In an hour the rector took his de.
parture.
He walked down over the lawns, leaped
over the palings, and, stepping into the
moonlit road, walked slowly on toward
his distant home, with his head bent upon
his breast. and with his hands clasped
behind him.
Come" said he to himself, s'let us ad-
NIT it. Willis is my rival. Alice has
grown strangely cold to me. The fathers
eyes are filled with the virtues of the new
hero, and the old one is being pushed
aside. That is the sum of it. 1t is neither
more nor less than that. But patience,
patience. Let me study how l can unde-
ceive them, and warn them of the impend-
ing danger. Let me think and plan what
can do to restore the old order of things
that loved-alas! perhaps, too we'll"
Communing thus with himself, the
rector kept on his way, revolving his
troubles in his mind, and gradually bring
ing out of the chaos well-defined pur-
pose.
During the few days that succeeded
this, Willis urged his claim to Miss Alice's
s. NTH cscta aud
felt the current turn more strongly against
himself.
Finally, urged by his increasing ankle
ty, he one afternoon sought out his rival,
whom he found at the edge of wood upon
a hillside, where he was occupied in
sketching the broad and glowing interval.
He was smoking, and was entirely at
ease in his loose garments, while Nassau,
in black, stood erect, at short speaking
distance.
II had hoped" said the latter, after ex.
planning in few words the object of his
visit, shat could persuade you to regard
this matter from my standpoint. I should
like to discuss the subject with you, for
we could then see clear, think. 1t is a
little complex at present, and no doubt
we could each explain enough to permit
us to act more intelligently. suppose
you admit that you love Miss Wey-
mOuth?"
admit it, No, do not admit it."
s'Sir?"
Il do not admit it, assert it."
Willis, in spite of himself, showed .
little heat. The other retained his out.
ward composure, though his blood boiled
within him. He did not speak until he
Col hat ~
"Let me go over the ground" said he,
gently; "let me make little review.
You came in upon our party of three,
and found that Miss Weymouth and en-
tertained regard for each other, and that,
earnest affection. There had been no DOS.
tive engagement to marry made between
US, and you seemed to feel that the ab.
sence Of any such bond gave you . right
to interpose your own claims-claims
be valid. That is, it seems 80 to me-"
Willis laughed, but his cigar went out.
Nassau continued:
"You and I are men Of very different
temperament You are q man of i'm
pulse, and am man of deliberation.
You are powerful, vigorous, athletic, and
q man of the world; am student. In
order that our natures shall be satisfied,
it will be necessary that We each secure
the affection of one suited to them. do
not say that you are blameworthy for
what you have done, and neither do I ad-
NIT that am. / merely insist that that
delicate, sensitive, and thoughtful girl
should not be subjected to the risk Of en-.
tanglement in marriage with the one Of