Morris tribune., 1882-07-20
HIS WORD OF HONOR.

lllOIS lIlSti q Nst SAoS SsSPPAAS PAtSS'
Mr.. Hunter, landlord and proprietor,
was therefore not little surprised and
Hurried when, upon a raw October morn
ing, a young man presented himself at
the bar of the Green Dragon and asked,
languidly, if he could be accommodated
with a bed and sitting room.
"a bed, sir?" replied Mr.. Hunter, a
big man with red face and gray hair;
"ves, think can manage to give you
bed"
And a sitting-room?" echoed the
landlord, in the tone of one
who is considering great
undertaking; zone minute, if you
please, sir"
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 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.
"Yeu can have this room all to your
self, sir,n 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"
And 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 close to the
fire the one dilapidated arm chair.
Arthur Seton, barister by profession,
and a writer from choice, was not really
more than thirty, though he looked con-
siderablv older, for the dark hair and
beard were streaked with gray, and the
face, with it's 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 a
locked up diary, which he opened and
availing himself of pen and ink, which
stood upon the table made the following
entry:
October II, 1S74-Got up late. Called
On the Brainstones: George was out.
Had pleasant chat with Annie; went,
like fool to Richmond, and, like fool,
the same as in the old, dear days; but l
heard children playing in the garden.
The house, 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 a column
"review." A weary, weary day. Shall
ever know moments forgetfulness?
He drew then from the leaves of the
diary letter written in a delicate hand
and addressed Arthur Seton, ESQ.,, u
Gray's Inn" This letter he regarded
with long, sad, loving look; then rest
ing his hand on his head he read it
through very slowly. 1t read as follows:
my Dear Arthur.-Ifyou will be so sus
picious, SO jealous and exacting, I cannotsee
how we are ever to be happy. Faith with
out works is dead, and love without faith is
no blessing, but weary burden. am tired
of cross words and looks. Some women,
believe, like the feverish excitement ofquar-
rels, but only look for peace. The miser-
able jealousy is quite unworthy ofyou. Do
try and put it from you, and remember that
love- once wounded, is sometimes hurt past
recovery. l received your article quite safe.
ly, but 1 cannot speak about it now. You
have 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 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-a cold,
penetrating, impetuous, determined
rain. ---
For want of something better to do,
Seton began to write letter; but he
made slow work of it. For minutes to-
gether he sat holding his pen listlessly,
listening, as we all listen when alone, to
what sounds may be going on near us,
from 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 a 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,
and said, in very pointed manner:
IF you please, sir, young lady, driv-
ing over to Sevenoaks in light, open
trap, has been caught in the rain, and
her servant wants to know if | can give
her a sittingroom while he drives back
TO Chiselhurst for close carriage"
"And this is the only one you have?''
rejoined Seton. O, ask her in, by all
means. However, am sorry the room
smells so of smoke" he 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
entered-lady, tall and graceful, having
pale, Madonna-like face, and golden
hair shining like an aureole round q
classic head.
Seton's face had grown white to the
very lips, and quiyered perceptibly as,
extending his hand, he said:
''This is very unexpected meeting
Every unexpected" echoed the lady,
removing her wet mantle and sittin g
down on the leather sofa. The recogni.
ton had been mutual, but women, as 8
general thing, have more than the ster.
ner sex.
"Let me recommend this CHAIR" said
Seton, laying his hand upon the one
from which he had just risen.
mo, thank you; prefer sitting away
from the fire."
ST am sorry the room should smell Sc
Of toba a.,, observed Sc Seton, after a
the pleasure of visitor"
She smiled rather forced smile by
way of an answer, and Seton folded
deliberately and put into an envelope
blank sheet of paper.
The country is very beautiful arount
here" he observed. writing his owl
name with great care upon the envelope
We have only been back from tht
Continent six weeks" she observed
after q pause. "Mamma has taken
house near Chiselhurst I was drivin,
~