Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-13

~ did once" answered George ~ think
Knew every yard Of it from this to the Brldgend
lun. Is the inn still to the foiey
80 yes but suppose lt would be old Marley
who kept 1t when you weiea hsvi air? His
nephew, Fred, has it now
!" Ah so old Dave is gone
The two fell into conversation about trout
fishing and all pertaining to IT, In little the
youth left the pool and moved slowly up tie
stream, Merder walking by his side--a frank,
bright, intelligent boy, WHO PnAsiped on with
the open-hearted freedom OF an English youth.
What WAS it in the tones OF his voice, every now
and then that puzzled Herder with r faint eense
Of familiarity? lie looked more narrowly at his
companions face, and as he did no. another face
came slowly back and filled his mental vision.
A strong desire to learn his companions name
possessed him, and he asked it.
'Johu Valance was the answer "May
ask yours. sir ?"
George seemed to hear the words with no feel
ing of surprise, but he was conscious that his in
terest in the youth beside him deepened with
the confirmation OF his suspicion. He heaitated
for moment ard then told his surname.
" Herder," repeated the youth; " know that
name. There's an old lady. Miss Field. who
lives near lis, Il great friend Of my mothers who
has nephew named Herder She often talks OF
him. George, she always calls him. But he is
in Australia; been there for ever 80 long.
Herder did not answer tho two resumed their
talk upon fishing, aud from that it TURNED upon
other Hubjects. Herder encouraged young Val
lance 10 talk, and gradually drew from hlin the
leading particulars of his life, He spoke of his
mother, Ills sister Katy, himself and his school
life, freely and unconsttalnedly sor there was
nothing to conceal.
The two had now reached the Bridgend Inn,
small, old-fashioned- looking hoetelry frequent
ed by anglers, standing close to the bank OF the
stream, where it was crossed by rustic wooden
bridge. Herder and John Valance entered tile
cool, little. sanded pnrlor AMI George ordered
some refreshInent. The host brought the cold
meat, bread and cheese and a jug Of beer; and oil
these simple viandH the two made merry lunch
together. When Herder had paid for the refresl
ment, and John and he were leaving the inn, af-
ter chatting for moment with the landlord,
George sad to his companion " lt's time !
were making my way to Plymouth again. Their
used to be short path back to the town from
here, across the hill But don'L think could
find it myself, now."
i" Yet" answered John; Z" l can put you upon
it in few Moments L snail keep along the riy-
er for a bit longer, think. There's the road
cir Keeep straight ahead, and it will take you
into the town,
"I am to be in Plymouth for a few days long
er," said Herder, -" aud hope we shall sec each
other again."
al hope 80 too sir answered the boy hearth
ly.
The two new friends parted very cordially
Before Herder reached the town again, he had
resolvea to visit Mrs Valance. When he had
parted from his aunt in the morning, she had
told him lac should do 80, and he had answered
her with hall promise not himself certain that
he wished to follow her advice immediately,
though the intention OF making himsof known
sooner or later to Mrs. Valance had been in his
thoughts since his conversation with Hammond
The events of the morning had had tho effect of
quickening his intention. lie knew the cottage
in which Mrs. Valance liyed lie had been direc-
cd to it by Miss Field, and he had to pass it in
returning to his aunt's house. He rang the bell,
and instead OF its being answered by a servant.
thesdoor was opened by Mrs. Valance herself,
The single mald-seryant of the family was ont
for the afternoon. Brought thus suddenly face
to face with Mrs. Valance, George was for a
moment taken somewhat aback, but in the next
he felt almost certain that he was recognized
quick, slightly startled, half doubtful look
came into Mrs. Valance's face.
Mrs. Valance, he said, 'do you know IN
old friend p Ills voice confirmed her recogni
ton.
'You are-George Herder," she answered III
low voice, which despite the effort made to
control it, trembed She let him into little
sitting-room.
"You knew me again very quickly, Mrs. Val
lance" George began in a rather hurried man
ner "as quickly AS l did you 1 eaw you the
other night at Mrs Norcotts."
We're you there? How did | never see
you?' Her voice was still not very iirin.
" Easily enough | was with Fred Hammond.
We did not stay long, and [ kept good deal III
the background, for know no one, | did not
see you I'll just peiore We 1871, Whle you We're
playing
The meeting might have seemed TO a casual
on-looker a very ordinary one, and to ono of
an emotional nature, who was aware Of nothing
further than that the two were old friends, less
cordial than the occasion warranted. But Her
der undemonstrstive man, not through
sluggishness, but through Hhyness Of tempera
meut and Kate Vallance's life had been suGlt
as had tended to subdue in her the
outward expression OF emotion.
- -, I,..ta
the chief events of his colonial life and Kate
related her history suce the two had parted.
And thus it was that, with old memories, walked
To new life, stirring in the heart of each, the two
mot and talked with scarcely the expressed
warmth of old friends. By-and by, Katy Val
lance returning from afternoon school, entered
the room, and was introduced to the stranger.
You will stay to tea with us, Mr.. Herder,
will you nos, and wait I'LL John comes bGck z.
Mrs. Valance said ;and George consented, al
though he was Cue 1T h1s auuts to six O'Clock
dinner.
John yallance's sport improved as the day
wore oil, and he fingered late by the liyor. His
mother aud sister, with George Herder, were
standing in the verandah Of their co.tago, await
ing his return, and John saw, lie drew near
the house, the third figure Of the party. The
sight somewhat surprised him. FOR visitors of the
male sex were not frequent at tha cottage but
his surprise was increased tenfold when he made
out the figure of his friend of the morning.
:" John" said Mrs. Valance, when her son had
approached, "Ihis is an old friend OF mine. who
tells me that you and he lave already mot. He
i'd the nephew of Miss Field, and went to Austria
liza many years ago, as you have heard her tell.
His coming back has taken us all by surprise"
/" Why, when | mentioned Miss Fields name,
this morning You never said anything said
John.
''No must ask your pardon for that little
deception said Herder with a smile. "I WAS
not sure at the time that we should meet again
SO soon.
There seemed to John Valance to be not a
little mystery about tho stanger, but he was con-
tent to leave events to- explain themselves.
Herder staid short time after tea at the cot
tage and then took his leave. A day or TWO after
he was there again with his aunt. George
found himself lingering in Plymouth far longer
than lie had intended. His aunt pressed him to
extend his visit, and he fell in very readily with
her wish. Soon John Valance and his sister
became accustomed to the sight OF Herder's 3
brown beard, and kindly, sun-bronzed face al
their home, and the friendship between George
| and the young. people grew and ripened
Herder had been more than month at Ply
| mouth, when one afternoon he made his way
| to the Vallances' cottage with fixed purpose
| in his mind. lie found Mrs. Valance sitting
alone i'll the little ga'den in front of the house.
| George came direct to the matter, kate, he
| said quietly, but not without u tremor in his
voice, " / don't know whether can offer yor
| the same sort of Iowa aa | did long ago. | sup
| pose young follows love is necessarily some
| what different from that Of amiddle-aged man =
| 4 p ol lfap ~ i'm pf NVI1