The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-04-12
THE PRESS.
Mr.. Witherton's Romance.
ICONCLUDED.1

many things could not fathom, but she gave
me the clew just then to her anxieties.
'You need not feel any uneasiness,"
said "This place is almost like home to
me, and can make any arrangements for
you that you desire Are you afraid of being
alone tonight? If you are will ask my
wife" but here my courage failed.
''Not at all frightened" she said; "but l
should like an inexpensive room somewhere.
1 would not mind where they put me-"
81 will attend 10 that. And now will you
have some supper? Perhaps after your cold
journey"
''No, no, thank you," she answered has
tily Il would like to so at once to bed"
secured her room. and CALAMITY went
up five pair of stairs to show her the way.
At the threshold she stopped
81 am very much obliged to you," she
said. you have been very kind. Can
depend upon you TO arrange that shall be
called at O'clock tozmorrow morning, as
am told that the train leaves at s; and will
you settle my bill and repay yourself what l
owe your" Her beautiful dark hair had fall
en- down and hung around her, and she
looked so gentle and lovely that determined
to do my duty by her in spite of-anybody
There will be time enough for that" l
said, putting her thin little purse back into
her hand. 81 will come up and call you my
self early tomorrow morning, and arrang
everything for you. l will also take you to
the station, and see you started safely on
your journey" She gave me little bow
and sweet smile. 'Indeed, 1 shall be most
happy to do So" added with spirit, and
then the door closed
And then L also remembered that did not
even know where Mrs. Witherton had domi-
clled herself, and so prowled around on the
different floors, interviewing the stray cham
bermaids l met with very unsatisfactory
results) as to what room had been assigned
to tall, stout lady in an iron-grey ulster,
and at last descended to the office and
found her number
tapped at her door, waited a moment to
whisper close to the keyhole, SIT is only me,
my DEAR" and then walked in. Mis-. With
erton was seated before comfortable fire.
still in her ulster flor l had forgotten that
the keys of her trunks were in my pocket,
so she had been unable to get at her dress
ing wrapper.) Her feet were thrust into a
pair of knitted Polish boots, generally used
for snow-boots flor her slippers also were in
my overcoat at that moment.) Her front
curls were ''put up' for the night flor bangs
were at that time out, and cOrkscrews in)
and though she had fragrant supper OF
broIed oysters on toast and glass of ale on
waiter before her she did bot appear hap
Ply.
Now of all Mrs. WIS moods the satirical
was the one most abhorred. My skin is
naturally soft, but it would curl up into
goose-fesh under such infliction, and one
glance sufficed to show me the nature of hel
humor at that moment.
'Why," she cried" whereas she, the love
iy waif and stray? How did you manage te
tear yourself away? 1 was quite sure thai
you would so settle matters that she should
have share of our room and l have beer
looking round to guage it's capabilities
That was quite clever arrangement abou
the street car, and 1 only wonder that after
she got rid of me she did not suggest car
riage."
"My dear Maria, the poor child has prob
ably never left home before. Consider how
you would have felt il at her age
''How l would have felt! Do you wish tc
insult me, Mr.. Witherton? I suppose Vol
are aware by this time that you married ;
lady who would hardly be found at any age
roaming around the country on snowy
nights, appealing to the protection of any
chance man"
sob, my love, how could she tell tina
there was snowstorm coming on? And
besides, thousands Of women in this country
indeed, everywhere-are compelled t.
travel alone. She did not appeal to me-
offered your protection"
"Then most positively Decline" solemn
ly said Mrs. W.: and there was no use in ar.
guing the point, as, according to the manner
things had arranged themselves, her com
plicity was not needed.
did not dare to ring and request openl,
that the porter should be notified to rouse
me at o'clock; so, fearful that 1 nigh
oversleep myself, l lay awake the Who'll,
night, and counted the hours as they struck
Not even fire broke out to vary the monot
ony of my vigil, and once, having given, in
cautiously, a loud sigh, my wife turned, and
sleepily asked what was the matter
II have not closed my eyes," said.
conscience" shel muttered, and was
again asleep before the word had left hel
lips.
rnsf dfesgfEg-fto0iiG, luckily without obserya
ton, and when accoutred toiled up the fiv,
pair OF stairs TO my destination, zone of tn,
50O,' and knocking at the door was an
swered by pleasant voice, which said
THANK you; yes-all ready" In few mo
ments her door opened, and she appeared
bonneted and shawled, bag and purse il
hand.
"Will you be so kind as to pay my bill, il
you please"' she asked, very nervously
'and to take out also what owe YOU for cal
fare?'
81 will bring you up your account, and
you can then see if it is all right before YOU
pay" said. 81 suppose you will take some
breakfast?''
eyes, 1 think So" hesitatingly.
Down the five pairs of stairs walked
again to the office, and there had a brie
confidential talk with the sympathetic clerk
giving nm slight sketch of my position a
the time.
"You know" said, "that she could moi
help herself, for the connection failed; so
persuaded her to come to this hotel with
my wife and myself, although she seemed
rather afraid of mourning too great expense
Now do, that's good fellow, make her bill
as small as you can. You know shall re-
main at this house for some time, and YOU
can always make it up-fx it, you know
Anything that Mrs. Witherton won't objec
tom our bill. You understands
81 see, see," he said. GAIL right. Lei
me see; a nights lodging and breakfast-ant
hackr'
''Oh no." cried hastily. 'Twill take he
IN the street cars. They will soon be run
ming; l suppose?"
ooh yes. Well, then, nights lodgine
and breakfast. Do you think (he spoke iu
diciallyl that dollar and half is tot
much?''
''Not at ALL" answered, "Give me til,
bill; and l will take it to her.
He handed it over, and again made thu
fve-story ascent and found her seated at thu
door waiting for me.
"Here it is" handing it over. sLool
over it, and if you are not satisfied car
have it altered. They are very obliging il
this house,
She looked long and uneasily.
Say whatever you Think urged.
u think it very, very high," she answered
simply.
"Then give it to me-" and again 1 made
the descent to the office, tiptoing CAREFUL,
past my wife's door, although 1 knew the
utter impossibility of her hearing, or if sht
heard, detecting my footstep among the
many that passed.
There; just where left him, stood the
patient, sleepy clerk.
''She thinks it is too MUCH" whispered
ssToo muchP' with raised eyebrows.
Yes! Take off that dollar'' (still in E
Whisper, "and make it so cents. All right
you see. Fix it afterward." l tapped my
hand on my rather empty pocket and
winked.
''Oh! All! Wellp' he said. .That will he
all right. Have it just as you please Hf
made broad dash through the one dollar
leaving the fifty cents charged, and again
uoiled up with my diminished bill, and once
more put it in her hand,
oil