River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-02-23
HIS WORD OF HONOR.

ternoon, young man having grea
coat over his arm, a light bag in one
hand, and 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
a sitting-room.
"a bed, sir?'. replied Mr. Hunter, a
big man with red face and gray hair;
eyes. / think we can manage to give
you bed"
"And sitting-room ?"
ga sitting room ?" echoed the and
lord, in 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 t. hold counsel with
some second person; the upshot being
that, in few minutes. Mrs. Hunter,
Miss Hunter, and few Hunters just
out of the crawling state, iss ned 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.
'Iou really must not let me disturb
you," replied the traveller.
"Don't you mention it" replied the
landlord, in 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 parlor
company"
"And this is the only room that you
have that is disengaged p
"Well, yes, sir; this is the only room
at 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 profes-
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:
of
Called on Brainstones; George was out.
Had pleasant chat with Annie; went
like a 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 never, never know
moments forgetfulness ?"
He drew then from the leaves of the
diary a letter written in a delicate fem
mime hand and addressed, "Arthur
Seton, Esq, II 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.
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 a weary burden. | am tired of
cross words and looks. Some women,
l 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 1t
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 affectionately.
"AMCE 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 a 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 all
listen when alone, to what sounds may
be going on near us, from q feeling
which is not curiosity, but more over
powering.
Suddenly what must have been q
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 a new conner be-
came audible. Seton, however, could
such as Caught in the rain-dellcate
shelter - Chiselhurst - closed car
rage"
Then the door opened, the landlord
presented himself upon the thresh-
hold, and said, in very pointed man.
ner:
''If you please, sir, a 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
riage." =,
%And this is the only one you have?'
reioined Seton. "0h. ask her in by all
meaus. However, / am sorry the
room smells so much of smoke, be
added, as he knocked the ashes from
his pipe. =,
Don't mention it, sir, and thank
YOU very much" replied the landlord
In another moment the door opened
again, and the unexpected intruder en-
.ered-a lady. tall and very graceful
having pale, Msdonna-like face, ano
golden hair shining like an aureolt
round small, classic head.
Seton's face had grown white to the
very lips, and his voice quivered per
ceptibly as, extending his hand, ht
said:
This is a very unexpected meeting.
"Very unexpected, echoed the lady
removing her wet mantle, and sitting
down on the leather sofa. The reeog
milton had been mutual, but women, a
A general thing, have more self-posses
sion than the sterner sex.
"Ietme recommend this chair, salt
Seton, laying his hand upon the on
from which he had just risen. {" Nc
thank you; 1 prefer sitting away from
tho fire.