Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-02-23
HIS WORD OF HONOR.

Inc 'UT66n Dragon, dI OTplnStOn,
assumed to be an inn, was really little
more than a wayside public house.
Mr.. Hunter, landlord and proprietor,
was therefore not little surprised and
Hurried when, upon a raw October af-
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
sitting-room.
GA bed, STRIP replied Mr. Hunter, a
big man with red face and gray hair;
Eyes, L think we can manage to give
you bed"
"And sitting-room ?"
"a sitting % echoed the and
lord, IL the tone of one who is consid-
ering some great undertaking; one
minute, if you please, sir"
And Mr.. Hunter disappeared into
the little room Immediately adjoining
the bar, there to hold counsel with
some second person; the upshot being
that, in few minutes, Mrs. Hunter,
Miss Hunter, and a few Hunters just
out of the crawling state, Issued forth,
bearing respectively workil g mate
rials, socks in process of ben g mend
ed, tin whistles, and decapitated dolls.
"You can have this room all to your
self, sir" said Mr.. Hunter, triumph
antly.
''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
genial and confidential; "we would not
turn a customer away from our doors.
You see we do not have much pallor
company"
"And this is the only room that you
have that is disengaged ?"
'tWell, yes, sir; this is the only room
ut present. Susanl Goals for the gentle
mans fire."
The traveller having, as he thought,
shown due amount of consideration
for the 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-
dated 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 look of sucn in
tense mental WEAKNESS as would have
saddened the most hopeful man had he
looked on it 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 availing himself of pen
and ink which stood upon the table,
made the following entry:
October II. 1874. Got up late.
Had pleasant chat with Annie; went
like fool, to Richmond, and, like a
fool, haunted the Well house. 1t
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 at the Pail Mall; went to the
club Got back to chambers late.
Wrote column-'Review.' A weary,
weary day. Shall l never, never know
a moments forgetfulness ?"
He drew then from the leaves of the
diary letter written in delicate fem
mime hand and addressed, arthur
Seton, ESQ, II Gray's Inn" This let
ter he regarded with a long, sad, loving
look; then, resting his head on his
hand, he read through very slowly.
1t ran as 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 is no blessing,
but weary burden. | am tired of
cross words and looks. Some women,
l believe, like the feverish excitement
of quarrels, but I only wish for peace.
This miserable, petty jealousy is quite
unworthy of you. Do try and put it
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 a little indignant.
Yours affectionately.
"ALICE CLAREFIELD."
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 at once
leaden, and the wind shifted to the
northeast. Now the wind was ris-
ing, and the rain was falling-a cold,
penetrating, impetuous, determined
rain.
For want of something better to do
Seton began to write g letter: but he
made slow work with it. For minutes
together he sat holding the pen list
lessly in his hand, leaning his arm wea-
rily upon the table, listening as we al
listen when alone, to what sounds may
be going on near us, from a feeling
which is not curiosity, but more over
powering.
Suddenly what must have been
very light vehicle, dashed swiftly down
the road and drew up with great pres
sion at the door of the ''Green Dragon"
while the voice of q newcomer be-
came audible. Seton, however, could
such as Caught in the rain-delicate
shelter = Chiselhurst = closed car
rage"
Then the door opened, the landlord
presented himself upon the thresh-
hold, and said, in a very pointed man
ner:
eff you please, sir, young lady,
driving over to Sevenoaks in light,
open trap, has been caught in the rain,
and her servant wants to know if | can
give her a sitting-room while he drives
back to Chiselhurst for closed car