The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-06-02
afternoon the sky grew all at once leaden
and mo wind shifsed 90 the northeast;


now the wind was rising and the rain
was falin go cold, penetrating, inn
petu0us, determined rain. The country,
which but ssbrief while since had look
ed 30 iair IN "a bland October suuhght
nov seemed thing 10 shudder 40. The
dun-coloredo woods, wet and forlorn,
+ seemedto have no hope OF any return
4 turning summer and to know the utter
desolaiion of the end IL was imposs-
/ BILE indeed 10 Imagine that in the green,
Y soaking fields, where now few COWS
were budding together and lowing dis
consolately, glad children could ever
have tossed each other I'm the warm,
sweet smelling hay; the rain drove
drearily against the window, and the
wind silrickcd round the house and oc-
caslonally Numbered in the chimney;
and hewagons numbered byor drew up
+ in front OF the door. and while the
drivers ava;led themselves of the tav-
ern's hospitality, the large, broad
Z sacked horses beat the miry roads with
heavy hoOfs. There was not much 10
occupy mans thoughts in the dreary
little parlor. A great variety Of whips
I hung against the wall, and over the
mantel-piece was photograph of a fine
chestnut mare Under it was written,
.sBeing Mr.. Hunters favorite mare,
who died in her fourteenth year" A
short way on was photograph of Mrs.
Hunter in fun holiday costume Alarge
Bible and photograph album lay upon
the table.
Seton mechanically opened the A.
bum. Here was tinted photograph
Of q young girl with profuSe gold ring
lets, large, round face, and meaning
less blue ewes Under ii was written,
Presented 10 Miss Hunter BY her alice
Tomato friend, Isabella Grant Poor
isabella How many honest country
hearts. wonder, had she caused 10
ache while the hair was gold and the
buN0m figure still shapelyi
For want Of something better TO do
Seton began TO write a letter; but he
made slow way with il. For minutes
together he sat holding the pen listlessly
in his hand. leaning his arm YEARLY
upon the table listening, as we ali listen
when alone, 10 what sounds may be 90
ing on near us, from feeling which is
not curiosity, but more overpowering.
Suddenly what must have been a very
ligI' ehicle dashe swiftly down the
road and drew up with great precision
at the door of the house. while the voice
of newcomer became audible. Sc
ton, however, could only catch a few
disconnected words, such as Caught
in the rain-delicate-shel closed
carriage
Then the door opened, the landlord
presented himself upon the threshold
and said, in very pointed manner. I
IF YOU please, sir, a young lady driy-
ing over to Covington in a light, open
carriage, has been caught in the rain,
and her servant wants TO know if can
give her sitting-room while he drives
back for closed carriage
- And this is the only oneyOu have 2"
rejoined Seton. ..Oh, ask her in by
all means. However, | am sorry
the room smells so OF smoke :" he add
ed, knocking the ashes from mis- pipe.
"Don't you mention it, sir, and thank
you very much" replied the landlord,
retiring.
In another moment the door opened
again, and the unexpected intruder en-
tered-a lady, tall and very graceful,
having a pale, Madonna-like face, and
gold hair shining like an aureole round
small, classical head
Seton's face had grown white To the
lips, and his voice quivered perceptibly
AZ, extending his hand, he said
. This IS very unexpected meet
ing
Every unexpected" echoed the lady,
removing her wet mantle, and sitting
down on the worn leather sofa The
recognition had been mutual. but wom-
en- as a rule, are more self-composed
that men.
q. Let me recommend this chair
said Seton, laying lis hand upon the
one from which he had Just risen.
.. No, thank you; | prefer sitting |
away from the fire.
81 am sorry the room should smell |
so of tobacco" observed Seton, after a
pause; "but you see, | did not expect |
the pleasure of a visitor"
She smiled rather forced smile by 4
way Of answer, and Seton folded elab-
orately and put into an envelope a sheet
Of blank paper.
90 The country is very beautiful
around here he observed, writing his
own name, with great care, upon the
envelope.
=. We have only been back from
Europe about six weeks, !" she observed.
after pause. " Mamma has taken a
house near c.. Twas driving over
to Covington this morning and | was
caught in the rain and induced to ask
for shelter here
"And how is Mrs. Claretield?-
Mamma j. quite well. thaak you
Then, after pause, in a full, sweet,
low contralto voice, which had ring
OF infinite pathos, "Are you stopping
here ?r sMfa
" Hardly" said Seton, with an as