The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-02

i GnOHIu ike an inexpensive room som
: where. | would not mind where they D
me-
: II will attend to that And now wi
you have some supper? Perhaps aft
your cold journey
"No, no, I thank you,n she answere,
hastily. II would like to go at once
bed.'7
[ secured her room, and gallantly we1
up five pairs Of stairs to show her the way
At the threshold she stopped.
4 II am very much obliged to you,n sh
said. stYou have been very kind. Can
| depend upon you to arrange that | shall b
called at seven tomorrow morning, as
am told the train leaves at eight; an
will you settle my bill and repay yoursel
what [ owe you?" Her beautiful dar
hair had fallen down and hung around her
and she looked so gentle and lovely that
determined to do my duty by her in spit
! of-anybody!
''There will be time enough for that"
said, putting her thin little purse back int
her hand. II will come up and call yol
myself early tomorrow morning, and ar
range everything for you. / will also tak'
you to the station, and see you started
safely on your journey" She gave me
little bow and sweet smile. stIndeed,
shall be most happy to do so,' added
with spirit, and then the door closed.
And then | also remembered that | did
not even know where Mrs. Witherton had
domiciled herself, and SO prowled around
on the different floors, interviewing the
stray chamber-maids met with very un-
satisfactory resultsl rs to what room had
been assigned to a tall, stout lady in an
iron-gray Ulster, and at last descended to
the office and found her number
tapped at her door, waited a moment to
whisper close to the key-hole, cit is only
me, my DEAR and then walked in. Mrs.
Witherton was seated before a comfortable
fire, still in her Ulster (for had forgotten
that the keys of her trunk were in my
pocket, SO she had been unable to get at
her dressing Wrapper.) Her feet We're
thrust into pair knitted Polish boots,
generally used for snow-boots (for her slip
pers also in my overcoat at that moment }
Her front curls were ''put up' for the
night (for bangs were at that time out, and
corkscrews in); and although she had
fragrant supper of breiled oysters on toast
and a glass Of ale on a waiter before her,
she did not appear happy.
Now, of all Mrs. WIS moods the satiric-
al was the one most abhorred. Ny skin
is naturally soft, but it would curl up into
goose flesh under such intiiction, and one
glance sufficed to show me the nature of
her humor at that moment.
why" she cried, ''where is she-the
lovely waif and stray? How did you man
age to tear yourself away? / was quite sure
that you would so settle matters that she
should have a share of our room, and l
have been looking around to gauge its ca
pabilities. That was quite clever arrange
ment about the street car, and only won
der that, after she got rid of me, she did
not suggest a carriage
'tMy dear Maria, the poor child has per-
haps never left home before. Consider
how you would have felt if at her age
''How would have felt? Do you wish
to insult me, Mr.. Witherton? / suppose
yoH are aware by this time that you mar
n / lady who would hardly be found, at
my age, roaming around the country on
snowy nights, appealing to the protection
Of any chance man.
"Oh, my love, how could she tell that
here was a snow storm coming on? And,
besides, thousands of women in this coun-
everywhere-are compelled to
:ravel alone. She did not appeal to me. /
offered your protection
''Then [ most positively Decline" SOL
emnly said Mrs. W.; and there was no use
the point, as, according to the
nanler things had arranged themselves,
1er completely was not needed. ...
[ did not dare to ring and request openly
hat the porter should be notified to rouse
ne at seven o'clock; so, fearful that [
night overslecp myself, I lay awake the
whole night, and counted the hours as they
truck. Not even fire broke out to vary
he monotony Of my vigil, and once, hav-
ng given ncautiously a loud sigh, my wife
urned and sleepily asked what was the
natter.
81 have not closed my eyes, L said.
Conscience" she muttered, and was
gain asleep before the words had left her
ips.
However, at six | slipped out of bed in
0 the dressing-room, luckily without OBJ
ervation, and when accoutred, toiled up
he five pair of stairs to my destination,
'one of the five hundred" and knocking
t the door, was answered by a pleasant
.oice, which said, "Thank you; yes-all
eady." In few minutes her door OPEN
d, and she appeared, bonneted and shawl
d, bag and purse in hand.
'sWill you be SO kind as to pay my bill, if
,ou please?" she asked, very nervously,
sand to take out also what owe you for
ar fare?"
II will bring you up your account, and
on can then see If it is all all right before
on pay said. Il suppose you will take
ome breakfast?'
eyes, | think so''-hesitatingly
Down the five pair of stairs ! walked |
gain to the office, and there had a brief
onfidential talk with the sympathetic
lerk, giving him q slight sketch of my
osition at the time.
s'You know," ! said, -sthat shecould not I
elp herself, for the connection failed; SO
persuaded her to come to this hotel with /
my wife and myself, although she seem /
d rather afraid Of inculTing too great ex-
ense. Now do, that's a good fellow, make
er bill as small rs you can. You know / +
hall remain at this house for some time,
nd you can always make it up--fx il, you
now. Anything that Mrs. Witherton
Ton't object tom our bill. You under
tand."
Il see, see,' he said. .All right. Let
le see: i nights lodging and breakfast-
nd hack ~
.sOh, 10, cried hastily. y will take
er in the street cars. They will soon be
nnning, suppose -
''Oh, yes. Well, then, 4 nights lodging
nd a breakfast. Do you Think (he spoke
.sthat . dollar and ! half is too
1uch?''
Not At all I answered. stGive me the
i'll, and ! will take it to her.
He handed 1t over, and again made the
ve-story ascent and found her seated at
be door waiting for me.
Here 1t is,' handing it over. Look
Vai. III ana If Won ara NOT. satisfied r na4a