The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1882-07-20
HIS WORD OF HONOR.

His WORD OF HONOR.
The Green Dragon" at Orpington, as
sumed to be an inn, but was really little
more than Wayside stopping place.
Mr.. Hunter, landlord and proprietor,
was therefore not little surprised and
furried when, upon raw October morn
ing, q young man presented himself at
the bar Of the Green Dragon and asked,
3languidly, if he could be accommodated
with a bed and sitting room. a,c
+ "a bed, sir" replied Mr.. Hunter, a
big man with red face and gray hair;
Eyes, think can manage to give you
a bed" f.
"And a sitting-room?'' echoed the
landlord, in the tone of one
who is considering a great
undertaking; zone minute, if you
please, sir. fs s ss+5 . 5t3
And Mr.. Hunter disappeared into the
little room adjoining the bar, there to
hold counsel with some second person;
the upshot being that, in few mintes,
Mrs. Hunter and a few Hunters just out
of the crawling state, issued forth, bear
respectively working materials, socks in
process Of being mended, tin whistles,
and decapitated dolls.
"You can have this room all to your
self, sir" said Mrs. Hunter, triumphant
ly.
"You really must not let me disturb
you," replied the traveller.
/ ''Don't you mention it," replied the
landlord, in a tone which was at once
gentle and confidential; eve would not
turn customer away from our doors.
You see we do not have much parlor
company"
'sAnd is this the only room you have
that Is disengaged?"
"Well, yes, Sir; this is the only room
at present, Susan! Goals for the gentle
manS's fire."
The traveller was glad enough to enter
the apartment, and to draw closet the
fire the one dilapidated arm chair.
Arthur Seton, barister by profession,
and d writer from choice, was not really
more than thirty, though he looked con
siderably older, for the. dark hair and
beard were streaked with gray, and the
face, with its regular, handsome features,
wore look of intense mental WEAKNESS.
For some time he leaned indole ntly
back, his hands clasped behind his back:
at last he rose and took from his bag
locked up diary, which he opened and
availing himself of pen and ink, which
stood upon the table made the following
entry:
October II, 1874 Got up late. Called
on the Brainstones: George was out,
Had pleasant chat with Annie; went,
like fool to Richmond, and, like fool,
hunted the Well House. It looked just
the same as in the old, dear days; but I
heard children playing in the garden.
The house, I believe, is let to city peo-
pie. Came back to London; dined at
the Pail Mall; went to the club; got
back to chambers late; wrote 3 column
review" A weary, weary day. Shall
i ever know moments forgetfulness?
He drew then from the leaves of the
diary letter written in delicate hand
and addressed arthur Seton, ESQ, 70
Gray's Inn, This. letter he regarded
with a long, sad, loving look; then rest
ing his hand on his head he read it
my Dear Arthur. you viii be So su ).
picious, SO jealous and exacting, cannots see
how we are ever to be happy. Faith with
out works is dead, and love without faith is
no blessing, but weary burden. I am tired
of cross words and looks. Some women. I
believe, like the feverish excitement Of quar-
trels, but only look for peace. The miser-
able jealousy is quite unworthy fyou Do
try and put it from you, and remember that
love, once wounded is sometimes hurt past
recovery. received your article quite safe.
ly, but cannot speak about it now. You
have made ME too sad too weary, and even
q little indignant.
Yours affectionately, 81
ALICE CLAREF1ELD."
He replaced the letter, closed the
diary, took up his pipe and began smok-
ing. The early part of this day had been
fine and mild, but towards the afternoon
the sky grew leaden and the wind shift
ed to the northeast. Now the wind was
rising and the rain was falling cold,
penetrating, impetuous, determined
rain. E,ss .4, IFS .
For want Of something better to do.
Seton began to write a letter; but he
made slow work Of it. For minutes to-
gether he sat holding his pen istlessly,
listening, as we all listen when alone to
what sounds may be going on near us,
from q feeling that is not curiosity, but
more oVerpowering.
" Suddenly what must have been very
light vehicle dashed swiftly down the
road and drew up at the door Of the
Green Dragon" while the voice Of the
new conner became audible. Seton,
however, could only catch few discon-
nected words, such as caught in the
rain delicate shelter Chiselhurst
closed carriage
Then the door opened, the landlord
presented himself upon the threshold.