Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-05

united myself to my fellow creatures,
have calmed me and done me good. In
our country should have found the
church closed out of service hours" He
took my arm and abruptly changed the
subject: Chow will you occupy your
SELF" he asked, eff my aunt receives me
| tomorrow
I assured him that / 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 q man
who asked me to hire his boat. He had
lines and bait at my service. Most un-
fortunately, as the event proved, I de-
cided on occupying an hour or two by
sea-ishing.
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 l arrived Of
the hotel. A little open carriage was
waiting at the door. found Romayne
impatiently expecting me, and no signs
of dinner on the table. He informed
me that he had accepted an invitation,
in which 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 i'll, poor SOUL" he
said. 81 am sorry 1 spoke 80 petulantly
and so 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
needlessly 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 inprudence. With
some misgivings, I asked how he had
amused himself in my absence.
81 waited for you," he said, "until ]
lost all patience, and went out for q
walk. First, I thought of going to the
beach, but the smell of the harbor drove
me back into the town, and there, oddly
enough, met with q man, certain
Captain Peterkin, who had been friend
of mine at college,"
"a visitor to Boulogne 1 inquired.
"Not exactly"
"a resident p
eyes. The fact is, I lost sight OF
Peterkin when left Oxford---and, since
that time. he seems to have drifted into
difficulties. We had long talk. He
is living here, he tells me, until his Of
fairs is settled"
I needed no further enlightenment
Captain Peterkin stood as plainly re-
vealed to ME as if I had known him for
years "Isn't it little imprudent,"
said, "to renew your acquaintance with
man of hat sort? Couldn't you have
passed him with bow?"
Romayne smiled uneasily. "I dare
say you're right" he answered. "But,
remember, had left my amt, feeling
ashamed of the unjust way in which /
had thought and spoken of her. How
did I know that l mightn't be wronging
an old friend next, if kept Peterkin OF
a distance? His present position may
be as much his misfortune, poor fellow,
as his fault. / was half inclined to pass
him as you say, but I distrusted my own
Judgment. He held out his hand, and
he was so glad to see me. 1t can't be
helped now. shall be anxious to hear
your opinion of him."
Are you going to dine with Captain
Peterkin?"
"Yes. I happened to mention that
wretched dinner yesterday at our hotel.
He said Come to my clearinghouse.
Out of Paris, there isn't such table
d'hote in France. / tried to get off it
not caring, Us you know, to go among
strangers; said 1 had friend with
me. He invited you most cordi-
ally to accompany me. More excuses
on my part only led to painful result.
1 hurt Petnkin's feelings. I'm down
in the world he said, and Tn not fit
company for you and your friends. l
beg your pardon for taking the liberty
of inviting you He turned away with
the tears in his eyes. What could l do?"
thought to myself: "You could have
lent him five pounds, and got rid of his
invitation without the slightest diff
Guilty" If had returned in reasonable
time to go out with Romayne, we might
not have met the captain; or, if we had
met him, my presence would have pre-
vented the confidential talk, and the in