Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-02-16

expeditiousiy as possible.
The rail travelling was pleasant and
easy, and more than all, repiete with in
teresi for me. for, until nc summoned me
wesl, had never been more than fifty
miles from homo.
took note of everything, and had
heartCul of pleasantly and gossip to tell
him when we when were costly seated by
our own freside.
Arriving at the station, found con-
veyance. which at an exorbItant price,
was hired TO me Tor the journey to the
roadside tasern.
This latter part OF my travel was disa.
greeable,
\ great, burly countryman with the
crossest aud sulkiest face l have ever
seen. drove the vehicle. which was q
rAttling machine of broken springs and
worn out leather seats, aud ragged stntly
smelling curtains.
Nevertheless il was all so much better
than | expected that | was in quite
state Of delight.
The driver was my dread along the
lonely road, and clasped Eddie closely
in my arms and put my lyus. in God,
with happy smile, reminding myself
hat I would see Clarke that night; and
/ the visions were lair tina; my fancy con-
/ jured up, while the distance was slowly
travelled.
/ /. was neally dusk when We reached
The Forks, the name of the tavern
towards which we had been ourneying
name which become applicable from
the fact Ihe high road forked TO the right
aud TO the le!l, Just at that point.
Il was tall, narrow, three story frame
house. in very unpaiu,ed and dilapidaied
condition. The outside presentment,
however, was, il anything, moro q. rec
ab.s than that which beheld within
doors.
The landl5rd met me ., the door and
introduced me into gloomy iit'e rHom
on the lel, ol The cold. dark. uncarPeted
hall. 1t was close in structure, aad in
atmosphere 100, having that dissgreeab'e
stuG.y odor which impreguotes the air, in
all apartments which are not frequently
open TO sunshine and breeze.
The evening was cold and dreary, and
my disappointment Al not meeting Clarke.
according to his promise, made me so
downhcar,cd that | felt ready to burst
into tears; but the curious eyes that
peered nj me from doors aud windows
were incentives enough for an exibiIio
OF strength rather than weakness.
The landlady came in after while and /
invited me into a low. damp room. where .
supper was set. The iare was homely. |
but indeed acceptable after our journey.
to both Eddie and myself.
Ny nervous presentiment OF danger,
however, seemed to gather strength /
every moment.
At table was served 10y man whose
hideous countenance was worse than 1.-The
night mare By jealousy bred"
lie eyed me with a persistent curiosity .
in his gaping sensual mouth. and pale
iulamed. blue ewes. that almost drove me
to distraction.
As often as mel bis gaze shuddered,
as from loaihsome touch, and wished
oh how wildly for Clarke's noble .
presence and his protecting arm.
This abhorred creature with his horrible
eyes attempted to pet my liltle Eddie, but
the child shrank from him just as did.
aud ANONYMOUSLY rejected the advances
that were made.
The time Tor retiring for the night at
last came round. and as it was long past
the hour when | could hope tor Clarke's
arrival, snd as had no excuse 10 feign !
that 1 might remain longer in the public .
room, rose reluctantly and follow ed my
landlady cut into the hall and up tie
creaking, narrow flights OF stairs-for
she gave me an apartment in the attic Of
the house, when questioned as 10 tie
reason, said that her house was so crowd
ed lha. she was unable 10 extend mole
comfortable accommodations.
Trembling with ill.dedned fear, bade
the landlady good night, and standing st
my open door. counted the sounds OF her
foot steps down the stairs.
Returning to The hearth where few
iaggots blazed and smoked, | took Edo 10
on my knee and prepared the lit fellow
for his nights rest.
While | was hearing his prayers, he |
suddenly interrupted me:
Mamma, he asked, looking up 10 my
anxious face, with his blue. peaceful
eyes. Mamma. do you like that nj, n
with the ugly face down stairs" ?"
my son, why do you ask ME such
question ?" inquired. almost breathlessly. |
Because | don't" he reptile my steri |
ousy.
why not;" asked. smiling, in spite
OF my anxiety, at the wise look on his
countenance.
Because he snapped his eyes and
turned SO red in the face when he saw the
gold in your purse that you took out to
pay the driver answered Eddie.
Nonsense, darling, you should net |