The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-02
BETTER THAN HE DESERVED

oNA AhNSShat cNpPSo Vue w 'ic
cars at tiny village situated just
back of the noble Hudson; and un-
conscious, to all appearance that he
was for that moment the centre of
attraction and a source of wonder to
the group of loungers which usually
frequent village depots at the in
coming of a train, he leisurly walk
ed up to the bar of the neat little
hotel and called for a glass of wine,
which he drank with a certain off
hand carelessness that proved that
he was not strangerat the business.
He then drew from his cigar case a
real Havana-he always carried
them with him, for fear he could
not sometimes meet the genuine
article-and lighting it he walked
out upon the piazza for smoke.
A man in a ragged coat, with a
nose shining forth like beacon light
of warning, nudged his neighbor
with his elbow and whispered shril-
ly:
Say, do You know that chap :"
"No, / don't. Something better'n
common-leastwise in his own opin-
ion," was gruffly answered in very
low tone of voice, as he scowled at
the stranger.
Paul Ridgeway must have heard,
but his face did not betray the fact
by the least change from its former
careless, indifferent expression. He
threw himself down upon the broad
wooden settee by one of the open
windows of the bar room, and lean
ing his head back, apparently en-
tirely absorbed in the pale blue
wreaths of smoke curling upward
from his cigar.
$50 Miss Leslie's going to take
boarders this summer" remarked he
of the beacon nose.
Il believe so," replied his COM
panion, though | don't see the
need of it. They have advertised,
and Miss Leslie has engaged my
Becky Jane to help her when the
borders come"
"Well," said the first speaker,
"Miss Leslie's mighty fine woman,
my way of thinking, and a good
looking one too. It's strange she's
been overlooked SO long; what, with
one of the finest farms in the coun-
try and a snug bank account, she's
a prize. Though Miss Leslie's not
old by any means, there's many a
gal has married younger; butt 'spose
some fortune huntin' city chap will
gobble her up yet. She'sa rich
prize"
Il hope not" replied the other
"Miss Leslie is deserving of a good
husband, and / think the right one
will come along yet"
If any one had watched Paul
Ridgeway during this conversation,
he would have thought he had not
heard at all, SO little interest did
his indifferent face portray but he
heard every word. and the gossip
had interested him just as much. 1t
had entirely changed his plans.
When he first got off the train at the
little village he only intended re-
naming few days to sketch some
wild, beautiful scenery which had
attracted him; for Paul Ridgeway
called himself an artist; but during
the last few moments he had decid-
ed to remain there for the summer.
He arose lazily from his seat, threw
away the remainder of his cigar,
and taking his portmanteau, left
the hotel. To the first boy he met he
said:
"Say, my fine little fellow, will
YOU show me the way to Miss Les
lies house? ] will pay you well for
your trouble"
The lads eyes fairly sparkled with
eagerness as he answered:
ayes, sir, | will"
Some 20minutes after Paul Ridge
way was ringing the bell at the door
of one of the quaint, picturesque
farm houses he had ever seen, nest
led in lovely valley, almost cover
ed with honeysuckle and creeping
rose vines, which clambeied from
yeranda to gable in the widest lux
ury imaginable.
The door was Immediately OPEN
ed and our hero stood face to face
with a lady of about thirty-fiye, of
medium height, slightly inclined to
petiteness, with fair skin, blue eyes.
and a sweet smile which displayed
a set of well preserved teeth, and
kept the dimples dancing in her
cheeks.
II would like to see Miss Leslie,
if you please"
THAT is my name," replied the
lady. aWill you walk in sir?"
'She is at least good looking; that
is acomfort," thought Paul. "Thank
you.n he said aloud. Il have been
informed that you intend keeping
borders, and called to see if ! could
obtain board here this summer. I'm
an artist, and the scenery about here
is very fine"