Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-02-17
HIS WORD OF HONOR.

more than waySlde public house.
Mr.. Hunter, landlord and proprietor,
was therefore not little surprised and
Hurried when, upon raw October al
ternoon, a young man having great
coat over his arm, light bag IN one
hand. and a stick in the other. present
ed himself at the bar of the "Green
Dragon" and asked languidly if he
could be accommodated with bed and
d sitting room.
IA bed, Air?'. replied Mr.. Hunter, q
big man with red face and gray hair;
yves, / think we can manage to give
you bed"
"And sitting ?"
IA sitting room 2" echoed the land
lord. in the tone of one who is consid-
ering some great undertaking; one
minute, if you please, sir.
And Mr.. Hunter disappeared into
tho little room Immediately adjoining
the bar, there t. hold counsel with
some second person; the upshot being
that, III few minutes. Mrs. Hunter,
Miss Hunter, and few Hunters just
out Of the crawling state, issued forth,
bearing respectively working mate
rails, socks in process of being mend
ed, tin whistles, and decapitated dolls.
aYou can have this room all to your
self, SIR" said Mr. Hunter, triumph
antly.
oYou really must not let me disturb
you," replied the traveller.
"Don't yon mention it." replied the
landlord, III tone which was at once
genial and confidential; 1--WE would not
turn customer away from our doors.
You see we do not have much parlor
company"
"And this is the only room that you
have that is disengaged p
"Well, yes, sir; this is the only room
mt present. Susan Goals for the gentle
mans fire"
The traveller having, rs he thought,
shown due amount of consideration
for tie comfort OF Mrs. Hunter and the
young Hunters, was glad enough to en-
ter the apartment alluded to, and to
draw close to the fire the one dilapi-
lated armchair.
Arthur Seaton, barrister by profess
sion, and literary by choice, was not
really more than thirty, though he
looked considerably older; for the dark
hair and beard was streaked with gray,
and the face, with its regular, hand
some features, wore il look of sucn in
tense mental Rearlness rs would have
saddened the most hopeful man had he
looked on il for long.
For some time he leaned indolently
back, his hands ciasped behind his
head; at length he rose and took from
his bag locked-up diary, which he
opened, and awaiting himself OF pen
and ink which stood upon the table,
made the following entry:
October II. 1874. ~ Got up late.
Called on Brainstones; George was out.
Had pleasant chat with Annie; went
ike X fool, 10 Richmond, and, ike a
fool, haunted the Well house. II
looked Just the same as in the old, dear
DAYS, but heard children playing in
the garden. The house is let, believe,
to city people. Came back to London;
dined ut the Pail Mall; went to the
club. Got back to chambers late.
Wrote column Review A weary,
weary day. Shall | never, never know
moments forgetfulness r.
He drew then from the leaves Of the
diary letter written in delicate fem.
mine hand and addressed, "Arthu
Seton, Esq, Il Gray's Inn" This let
ter he regarded with long, sad, loving
look; then, resting his head on his
hand, he read through very slowly
IL ram rs follows:
'MY DEAR ARTHUR If you will be
so suspicious, SO jealous and exacting
| cannot see how we are ever to be
happy. Faith without work is dead
and love without faith il no blessing
but il weary burden. | am tired 81
cross words and looks Some women,
believe, like the feverish excitement
Of quarrels, but | only wish for peace
This miserable, petty jealousy is quite
unworthy of you. Do try and put il
from you; and remember that love
once wounded, is sometimes hurt past
hope of recovery. | received your ar.
ticle quite safely, but | cannot speak
about it now You made me too sad
too weary, and even little indignant
Yours ailectionately.
ALICE CLAREFIEID."
He replaced the letter, closed the
diary. took up his pipe and began
smoking. The early part of this day
had been fine and mild, but toward
the afternoon the sky grew all Mt once
leaden, and the wind shifted 10 the
northeast Now the wind was ris
ing and the ram was falling-a cold
penetrating, impetuous, determined
rain.
For want Of something better to &c
Seton began 70 write letter; but lie
made slow work with it. For minutes
together he sat holding the pen list
lessly i'll his hand, leaning his arm wea.
rily upon the table. listening rs we al
listen when alone. to what sounds may
be going on near us. from feeling
which is not curiosity, but more over
powering.
Suddenly what must have been q
very light vehicle, dashed swiftly dowr
the road and drew up with great pres
sion M the door Ut the Green Dragon,
while the voice Of u newcomer be
came audible. Seton, however, coulc
such rs caught in the rain-delicatC
shelter Chiselhurst = closed car
riage."
Then the door opened, the landlord
presented himself upon the thresh
hold, and said, in a very pointed man
ner:
If you please, sir, young lady
driving over to Sevenoaks i'll light
open trap, has been caught in the rain
and her servant wants 10 know if | car
give her sitting-room while he drives
back to Chiselhurst for closed car
rage"
"And this is the only one you have3'
rejoined Seton. .'oh, ask her in by al
means. However. | am sorry tn,
room smells so much of smoke" h,
added, AS he knocked the ashes from
his pipe.
Don't mention it, sir, and thanl
you very much, replied the landlord
In another moment the door openet
again, and the unexpected intruder en-
.ered-a lady, tall and very graceful
having pale, Madonna-like face, an,
golden hair shining like an aureol,
round a small, classic head.
Seton's face had grown white to tn,
very lips, and his voice quivered per
ceptbly as, extending his hand, h
said:
" This is a very unexpected meeting.
Every unexpected, echoed the lady
removing her wet mantle, and sitting
down on the leather sofa. the reeog
milton had been mutual, but women, a
L.. L. n