The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1880-12-17
BRATTLEBOR0 FRIDAY, DECEMBER

The afternoon proved to be rain
. Our early dinner was bad one. Th
last circumstance tried his temper sor
ly. He was no gourmand the questit
of cookery was with him) purely ma
ter of digestion. Those late hours
study, and that abuse Of tea, to which
have already alluded, had sadly injurt
his stomach. The doctors warned hi
of serious consequences to his nervol
system, unless he altered his habit
He had little faith in medical science
and he greatly overrated the restorstiy
capacity of his constitution. So far
I know, he had always neglected til
doctors advice.
The weather cleared toward evening
and we went out for walk. We passe
church, the doors of which were sti
open. Some poor women were kneelin
at their prayers in the dim light. "Wai
minute, said Romayne, IT am in
vile temper Let'me try to put mysel
into better frame OF mind"
followed him into the church. H
knelt down in a dark corner by himself
I confess WAS surprised. He had beel
baptized in the Church of England; bu
80 far as outward practice was con
cerned, he belonged to no religion
community. 1 had often heard hin
speak with sincere reverence and ad
miration of the spirit OF Christianity
but he never, to my knowledge, attended
any place of public worship. When w
met again outside the church, he said
"The solemn tranquility of tina
church, the people praying near me, the
few words of prayer by which l silently
united myself to my fellow creatures,
have calmed me and done me good. In
our country 1 should have found the
church closed out of service hours" he
took my arm and abruptly changed the
subject "How will you occupy your.
SELF" he asked, "if my aunt receives me
tomorrow
1 assured him that I should easily
find ways and means Of getting through
the time. The next morning message
came from Lady Derrick to say
that she would see her nephew after
breakfast. Left by myself, I walked
toward the pier, and met with a man
who asked me to hire his boat. He had
lines and bait at my service. Most un-
fortunately, as the event proved, de-
cided on occupying an hour or two by
sea-fshing.
The wind shifted while We were out,
and before we could get back to the
harbor the tide had turned against us.
1t was six o'clock before 1 arrived at
the hotel. A little open carriage was
waiting at the door. 1 found Romayne
impatiently expecting Inc, and no signs
of dinner on the table. He informed
me that he had accepted an invitation,
in which I was included, and promised
to explain everything in the carriage.
Our driver took the road that led to.
ward the High Town. I subordinated
my curiosity,to my sense, of politeness,
and asked for news of his aunt's health.
"She is seriously ill, poor SOUL" he
said. 81 am sorry 1 spoke so petulantly
and 80 unfairly when we met at the
club. The near prospect OF death has
developed qualities in her nature which
I ought to have seen before this. No
matter how it may be delayed, Will pa,
tiently wait her time for the crossing to
England"
So long as he believed himself to be
in the right, he was, as to his actions
and opinions, one of the most obstinate
men [ ever met with. But once let him
be convinced that he was wrong, and he
rushed into the other extreme--became
distrustful of himself, and
needlessly eager in seizing his oppor-
tunity Of making atonement. In this |
latter mood he was capable---with the
best intentions---of committing acts Of
the most childish imprudence. With
some misgivings, / asked how he had
amused himself in my absence.
81 waited for you," he said, until I
.ost all patience, and went out for O
walk. First, 1 thought Of going to the
beach, but the smell OF the harbor drove
ne back into the town, and there, oddly
enough, 1 met with a man, a certain
captain Peterkin, who had been /, friend
If mine at college"
ga visitor to Boulogne ?" inquired.
"Not exactly"
ga resident ?"
Yes. The fact is, lost sight OF
'eterkin when l left Oxford since
hat time, he seems to have drifted into
lifficulties. We had long talk. He
5 living here, he tells me, until his af-
airs is settled"
needed no further enlightenment
Japtain Peterkin stood as plainly re-
ealed to me as if had known him for
ears. "Isn't it little imprudent." I
aid, "to renew your acquaintance with
man of that sort ? Couldn't you have
assed him with bowl
Romayne smiled uneasily. "I dare
ay you're right" he answered. "But,
/ had left my amt, feeling ,
shamed of the unjust way in which I ,
ad thought and spoken of her. How Z
id / know that mightn't be wronging
n old friend next, if kept Peterkin at
distance? His present position may
'e as much his misfortune, poor fellow, J
S his fault. l was half inclined to pass
i'm as you say, but l distrusted my own t
Judgment. He held out his hand, and t
e was so glad TO see me. II can't be
elped now. shall b, anxious to hear t
our opinion of him."
Are you going to dine with Captain t
p i
"Yes. I happened TO mention that 8
dinner yesterday at our hotel. d
lie said Come to my boarding house. l
hut of Paris, there isn't such table s
'hote in France tried to get off it C