Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-08-01

yOnd all doubt, so as TO snOre, for eX-
ample-and he looked just the.sort of a
man to snore-I felt that my reputation
as a novelist with Arabella was gone.
However, we reached Swindon with
out his committing himself to that full
extent; but, under the influence of lunch
l felt certain it would happen unless
something was done in the meantime,
and l resolved to do il. r.
We all got out to have soup, and /
found my opportunity of speaking to the
old gentleman. M Es -e {
My dear SIR I said, al am sure
you had no notion whose book you
were reading coming along, or you
would never have nodded your head
over it."
What do you mean, my ladp l was
reading my own book-the Brigand of
something or other. bought it at Pad
dington. 1t is rather AZ
Hush! But you didn't write it;
that's the point. That young woman in
the carriage with us Ssrote t..
:" What, the pretty girl who sat oppo-
site TO youP"
"Yes, next YOU" CThis 1 said with
significant reproach.) "She couldn't
help seeing you nod, and it panied her."
"She wrote that book-shepn
Yes; she is exceedingly clever"
Very Likely; but it seems so strange
that a woman should have written such
book at ALL" he murmured. "It's
so sensational, so full of scenes. Dear
me!n I...
She's a girl of genius, my dear sir" j"
"No doubt, no doubt" he said.
How very unfortunate. Did / nodP
If did so, it was in adhesion to her
sentiments. remember now that some
Of them struck me as very beautiful"
They are beautiful, said |; "it is a
noble book. But she would not have
you know she wrote it for any money.
1t was published anonymously because
she was too modest to put her name to it.
You must not hint at what | have told
you; only you had better alter your
manner"
"Thank you; l will, of course.
have a sincere admiration for the book.
and l shall show it"
"Only, don't excite her suspicion; be
careful about that
He nodded till / thought he would
have nodded his old head off; and we
returned to the carriage very amicably
and resumed our journey.
q always feel sleepy after luncheon, j"
said Arabella's aunt, by way of excuse
for the forty winks in which she felt
herself about to indulge.
$50 do l in general way" said the
old gentleman; "but have book here
that interests me immensely"
l saw Arabella's eyes light up with
pleasure, then hid myself behind a news
paper which l had just purchased for
that very purpose; | was very young
man, and my tender conscience re-
preached me for my little duplicity. l
had not the hardihood to look; | only
listened, which, fortunately, my darling
took not for remorse, but modesty.
Il thought you didn't seem to like it,
said Arabella's aunt, who was a plain
spoken person.
"On the contrary, lam doighted
with it; it is not often one buys IL book
at a venture-for / confess | never heard
of the work beforehand finds one has
drawn such prize. | am not myself
much of a novel-reader, but henceforth
| shall look for book by the author of
the Brigand of the -"
Would it be credited that he had to
look at the title page before he said,
"ApenninesP" But such is the outside
public"
"The Brigand of the Apennines! "
exclaimed the old, lady in great excite
ment. "Why, that's-n Here, thank
goodness, she was stopped by % cross
volley of reproachful glanees from her
niece and me.
Arabela was very anxious that her
aunt should not reveal the authorship,
on account of her craze for an indie
pendent opinion" and of course l was
still more solicitous not to have my in
nocent little artitice exposed. Our
united efforts had the happiest effect
they sealed the old lady's lips, and con-
vinced the stranger that Arabella was
the real Simon Pure.
"There is strength and vigor about
this book, - continued the old gentleman,
"that keeps ones attention at the fullest
stretch; one has only to lay it down and
close ones eyes to feel ones self one o1
the draanatis perSong. Have you evel
read it, sirP" And the hypocritica
wretch actually addressed himself to me
",Yes," | said; 1T is good story
and, as you suggest" (for | determined
to pay him out for his audacity), sin
| RuIdEIN lldScullIl6 III SUyl6.
Nay, ! didn't say that" Unanswered
hurriedly; it has the vigor of u malo
writer, but there is delicacy, a purity
a-dear me! what shall call itP-a per
ception of the niceties of female nature
in it, in which seeem to recognize ,
lady's hand"
Here Arabella, shaking with laughter
put up her muff before her eyes, and
took advantage of the circumstance t,
give the man warning glance that h
was going too far. My fear was that be
fore we got to Exeter there would be al
advertisement of some kind; but to m
immense satisfaction and relief, he lef
the train at Bath.
81 have no friends here, and am goin
to stay at II hotel" said our fellow-pas
senger at parting; but while / have thi
book unfinished | shal not find the tim
hang heavy on my hands"
Upon my lite," said Arabella's aunt
as we steamed away, zone would thinl
James, that you had told the man yo
had written the book"
Upon my word and HONOR" said
fervently, II told him nothing of til
kind
81 am quite sure he didn't" erie
Arabella, Indignantly; James is incs
, pable of such underhand conduct. An
/ must say the independent praise of til;
I I gentleman is very satisfactory and COZ
| vincing. / really began to fear at fir
!. that he didn't like the book. If so,
!, evidently grew upon him"
!" 1t grew beautifully" said /, "tl
l soil being rich and favorable"
Eyes, evidently most intelliger
!, man." said Arabella's aunt, land e.
ceedingly polite. / am so glad l lei
: : him that paper cutter"
And so was I. though there had bee