Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-25
NO. $50.
Tales aud Sketfhes.
THE GIRL HE LEFT BEHIND HIM.
CONTINUED FROM YEsrERpAY.1

knew every yard Of it from this to the
Bridgend Inn. Is the inn still to the fore ?''
80 yes; but suppose it would be old
Marley who kept it when you were a boy,
sir' His nephew, Fred, has it now.
"Ah! so old Dave is gone.'
The two fell into a conversation about
trout-fishing and all pertaining to it. In
little while the youth left the pool and
moved slowly up the stream, Herder walk
ing by his side-a frank, bright, intelligent
boy, who gossiped 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 a
faint sense of familiarity? He looked more
narrowly at his companions face, and as
he did so, another face came slowly back
and filled his mental vision. A strong de-
sire to learn his young companions name
possessed him. and he asked it.
John Valance" was the answer.
May ask yours. sir ?'
George seemed to hear the words with
no feeling of surprise, but he was conscious
that his interest in the youth beside him
deepened with the confirmation of his sus-
plcion. He hesitated for a moment and
then told his surname
''Herder," repeated the youth; Il know
that name. There's an old lady, Miss
Field, who lives near us, a great friend OF
my mothers, who was nephew named
Herder. She often talks of him. George,
she always calls him. But he's in Austria
liza; been there for ever so long"
Herder did not answer; the two re-
sumed their talk upon fishing, and from
that it turned upon other subjects. Her.
der encouraged young Valance to talk,
and gradually drew from him the leading
particulars of his life. He spoke of his
mother, his sister Katy, himself and his
school lite, freely and unconstrainedly,
for there was nothing to conceal.
| The two had now reached the Bridgend
Inn, small, ld-fashioned-looking hos
telry, frequented by anglers, standing
close to the bank of the stream, where it
was crossed by a rustic wooden bridge.
Herder and John Valance entered the
cool, little, sanded parlor and George Or
dered some refreshment. The host brought
them cold meat, bread and cheese and
| jug of beer and off these simple viands
the two made a merry lunch together.
When Herder had paid for the refresh
ment, and John and he were leaving the
inn, after chatting for moment with the
landlord, George said to his companion:
"lts time l were making my way to Ply
mouth again. There used to be short
path back to the town from here, across
the hills. But don't think could find it
myself, now.
Yes answered John ~ can put you
upon it in few moments. l shall keep
along the river bit longer, l think.
There's the road, sir. Keep straight ahead.
and it will take you into the town."
,,, 10 I>o in, Dlvrpoutb Gov rouu IA
longer" said Herder, ''and l hope we
shall see each other again.
II hope so, too, sir, answered the boy
heartily.
The two new friends parted very cor
daily.
Before Herder reached the town again,
he had resolved to visit Mrs. Valance.
When he had parted from his aunt in the
morning, she had told him he should do
so, and he had answered her with half
promise, not himself certain that he
wished to follow her advice Immediately,
though the intention of making himself
known sooner or later to Mrs. Valance
had been in his thoughts since his CONVEX
sation with Hammond. The events of
the morning had the effect of quickening
his intention. He knew the cottage in
which Mrs. Valance lived; he had been
directed to it by Miss Field, and he had to
pass it in returning to his aunt's house.
lie rang the bell and instead of its being
answered by a servant, the door was
opened by Mrs. Valance herself. The
single maid-servant of the family was out
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. A quick. slightly
startled, half doubtful look came into Mrs.
Nallance's face.
Mrs. Valance" he said, 'do you know
an old friend p His voice confirmed her
recognition,
You are-George Herder," she an
swered in a low voice, which despite the
effort made to control it, trembled. She
led him into a.little sitting-room.
You knew me again very quickly.
Mrs. Valance" George began in rather
hurried manner; las quickly as | did you.
colts"
"Were you there? How did I never
see youp" Her voice was still not very
firm.
Easily enough; was with Fred Ham.
mond. We did not stay long. and kept
a good deal in the background, for knew
no one. did not see you till just before
we left, while you were playing"
The meeting might have seemed to
casual on-looker very ordinary one, and
to one of an emotional nature, who was
aware of nothing further than that the
two were old friends, less cordial than the
occasion warranted. But Herder was an
undemonstrative man, not through slug.
gishness, but through shyness Of tempera-
ment; and Kate Vallance's life had been
such as had tended to subdue in her the
outward expression OF emotion. George
Herder narrated to his listener the chief
events OF his colonial life; and Kate re-
lated her history since the two had parted.
And thus it was that, with old memories
walked to new life, stirring in the heart Of
each, the two met and talked with scarce
ly the expressed warmth Of old friends.
By-and-by, Katy Valance, returning
from afternoon school, entered the room,
and was introduced to the stranger.
You will stay to tea with us Mr.. Her
der will Won not and wait till Iohn comes