Litchfield enquirer., 1879-01-09
From Blackwood's Magazine. THE COTTAGE BY THE RIVER.
 CONTINUED.

the bright sun announced another glorious sum- ] mer day and although the occurrence of the night at once returned to my mind, the sight of Wyatt in his boating flannels coming up 1 from the river after his bathe, whistllng as he went, was enough to banish all sense of mis- giving. Equally disillusioning was the prosa- l ic voice of Mrs. Bond, outside the door, as she set down the water for my bath, announcing that it was eight o'clock and that MT. Wyatt wanted breakfast at half past, in order te catch the 9.30 train. And when I came downstairs, ! the view of Wyatt engaged in chopping up some tobacco on the mantelpiece with pen knife, and the cheerful breakfast laid out on the table, was SO completely matter-of fact and commonplace, and at the same time cheer full, that felt thoroughly ashamed of my nsr- vous alarm of the night. l would put the matter aside, and not think of it one way ss the other. And it did net strike lie as egd that when Mrs. Bonds niece brought in tke kettle to replenish the teapot, she proved 10 be q short, stout girl of about sixteen. WIG looked as if she might yet take start and grow to proper height, although later in the day remember that this left the appearance of the figure in the garden still unacconnted for. 4
 Wyatt set off for the station across the field after breakfast, promising to return by the half past five o'clock train, when we would go for row on the river; and 1 announced my resolve of setting to work as soon as he had started, so as to make good beginning and get over my days task before his return, and thus have all the evening free But with the whole day before me, it seemed only allowable on this the first day to take a little stroll. Down stream, beyond the other strip of wood which closed in the lawn on this side also, were pleasant meadows, in which the COWS were tokinr thoir fret min after tho nOUinu The day was hot, but shade could be got every where along the hedgerows. After my long sojourn among stutfy streets, the sense of pleasure at drinking in the fresh country air while wandering among these rich meadows by the water, redolent of beauty as they were, was like feast; it seemed impossible to tear ones self away, and it was not until degree of appetite asserted itself to which 1. had Tor long been stranger, that 1 returned to the cottage for luncheon. In my absence the post had arrived, bringing a book from Germany, lately published, and bearing on the subject of my studies, which had been anxieusly looking for must now make myself master of some of it's contents before proceeding with my writing. to see how far had been antic- ipated. The book was ingenious and original, yet happily still leaving room for the state ment of my views on the case, and the after noon passed quickly and pleasantly enough as lay on the grass, by the bank of the stream, with the book for a companion, till the time for Wyatt's return. He must have missed his train, however, for up to six o'clock he had not come and after waiting till all chance of his arriving by it had passed away, deter mined to stroll down to the station to meet him, making, however, detour by the mill There would be plenty of time for this, as the next train was not due till seven. Even then oh0utd hQ qhla tO oct nI1t the river hp- fore supper.
 The shortest way to the mill was by the path through the wood, parallel to the stream, and some fifty yards distant from it. So over grown was it that the pathway was barely wide enough for one person to pass, and the shrubs, underwood, and briers gave no view of what lay beyond. It was perfect jungle. When about half way through, I noticed what appeared to be the trace of another path turn ing off to the left-that is, away from the Sv- CT. The shortest way to the mill was no doubt the one straight on, and this other showed even less sign of being used but 1 was seized with desire to get ont of the wood, which this evening was oppressively close, 80 turned aside The wood was certainly not so wide as long, and should probably be able to get out of it the sooner by taking this line
 After pushing my way along for thirty or forty yards, the path opened into small cir cular space, explained perhaps by the large oak-tree which checked the undergrOwth. Against this were the remains of rustic seat, consisting of few blanks nailed against the trunk once painted green, but now fast rotting away. A quiet retreat certainly, and pleasant enough 10 doubt when this shrubbery was little better kept and I wondered whether the young couple whose pictures hungin the draw lng-roem had ever sat on this bench in their honeymoon days, if they had passed them at the cottage, as seemed probable. But no; can hardly fancy that gentleman with his hard face, and his curly black whiskers under his square chin, playing the lover, or indulging in much sentiment of any sort. He would expect more attention than he gave, fancy and the bride once gained, there would be little of sem timent, or sympathy either, in my gentleman, or am no judge of character. And the lady, wonld she be the sort of woman to take the cue from her husband, and to shrink from un- covering the hard side of her lover-content to make the best of him to humor him when angry, and to play on his weaknesses in his lighter moods? Again, I am mistaken if that IS not the face of woman charged with pride to measure against his selfishness, and vanity against his conceit,-a woman to scorn and upbrald rather than yield without a struggle If they came here in their honeymoon days, the place had certainly not been used since; it showed no signs of occupation, or even of hav- ing been lately visited; but in the centre of the open circle I noticed that the grass had been removed, and the soil raised, as if be- ginning had been made of a fiewer-bed; but no flowers would flourish in place so gloomy, and the attempt might well be abandoned al most as soen as begun.
 Retraclng my steps to what in comparison might be called the main path, went on to the mill, to find the miller standing as before on the over the mil-dam smoking his evening pipe. After saiutatiens the miller observed that need not have come through the wood unless l liked; there was path round by the orchard and the Nne-A -Acre-a daylight route, as one might say; and then proceeded to ask if found myself comfortable at the cottage.
 He put the question in an indifferent tone, but yet fancied I could detect an expression of curiosity in his face, as if he half expecte to hear that had something to tell.
 In company with the miller, and standing there in broad daylight. the alarm of the night had now succeeded to a feeling of indifference CT at most of contempt for myself at allowing my lf-possessicn to be disturbed but my cu- riosity was excited by the mans manner, and 1 asked him somewhat abruptly what he knew about the former occupants of the cottage.
 Marking the eagernessof my questions d flash of intelligence passed over the mller's face, but his manner became at once more reserved They had gone away before he came to the mill said as he had told me before his brother was here then he himself wasup in Oxforishire waving his hand upstream in the direction indicated-at that time, along with his father. How should he know anything about them then?
 "Where was his brother now" asked !: for his evident reserve made me curious.
 We'll, his brother had emigrated, to be sure ene'to America and why shouldn't he? He thought he could better himself, and went of and so he, the speaker, came and took the mill
 Had the man spoken unconcernedly Isheuld probably have thought no more about it but l could not help noticing that he seemed to feel 1 had sort of power over him, and that although unwilling to give me information he was also anxious to avoid the appearance of withholding anything. And this made me ask the further question, how long before he came did the lady and gentleman leave?
 "A few days before," he answered, rather sulkily, as thought; he didn't rightly know how long exactly. "And they went away quite suddenly ?" continued and left eyorvthinr behind fhar, 2