The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-01-11
AT length Walter came forward.

1--WE must apologize for invading
your premises in this manner Mr..
Moffat, Clare introduce me-"
Glare contrived to mutter few
words, and Walter held out his
hand, which he felt was by no means
cordially grasped by his host but
he continued "My sister and l on
ly thought of this little visit late
last night, and so we couldn't let
you know of it"
Clare and Mr.. Moffat had silently
got through the ceremony of shak-
ing hands by this time, and the girl,
nearly upset by the whole morn
ing's experience, was glad to take
the nearest chair, which happened
to be the arm chair under which Mr..
Moffat's slippers were lying, SO that
that unfortunate man-as if to put
and keep him at a still greater d:sad-
vantage-was forced to entertain his
unexpected guests with no other
covering to his large and badly
shaped feet than that afforded by
coarse homespun stockings.
IN vain Walter essayed his most
genial manner: nothing could make
the visit other than wTetchedly
awkward one. Clare seemed unable
to utter syllable, and averted her
eyes carefully from the man's un-
sIippered feet and unshaven face.
At length, seeing that her powers of
endurance were being tried to the
ut:ermost by various unhappy at
tempts on Mr.. Moffat's part to as
sumo the tone of an accepted lover,
Walter suggested that they should
leave Mr.. Moffat to eat his breakfast in
peace, while they would go back to
the inn for the lunch which must be
awaiting them, and invited Mr.. Mof-
fat to join them there as soon as was
convenient for him. and spend the
rest of the time with them until the
train was due by which they were
10 return.
On getting out into the street,
Clare convulsively clasped her
brothers arm. walter, could we
not Get train sooner than three
o'clock ?'
81 an afraid not. But do you
know it IS almost two o'clock, now?
the time will soon pass. It'll this
wretched weather that makes every.
thing look so miserable"
Clare shivered, and wished she
were away.
Gin reaching the inn they found
their lunch waiting for them but
the chops were tough and had been
burned in the process of cooking.
and Clare at least found it impossi-
sible to eat. A large party of con-
vivial miners were in the next room,
which was only separated from
theirs by a thin wooden partition,
and they had the benefit of the
Jokes, oaths and squabbles that pass
ed between them. Mr.. Moffat was
some time in making his appear
ance lut when he did, he was
much nore presentable, more like
the n an Clare had seen and believ-
ed in. at her own home But his
shaven face and correct clerical cos
tune came too late, and he was sem
sible enough to see the matter in its
true light. Nothing could re-estab-
lish him again on the pinnacle to
which Clare, in her uncurbed imagi-
nation and secret love of excite
lnent under any form, had raised
him.
On getting home Walter explain
ed TO his mother that she had no
longer anything to fear and next
day wrote TO Mr.. Mofiat, by his sis-
ter's desire, breaking off all further
connection, and then telegraphed to
his wife to expect him and his
mother and his sister the following
day.
George remained under the i'm
preston that her mother-in-law's
state OF health required change.
Not even to her did Walter ever di-
vulge the severe practical lessons to
which he had subjected his sister !
not even, when he had the gratifica
ton of seeing her make q suitable
and happy marriage within a year
or two from the time when her self
will and self-ignorance had so near
" wrecked her life. te.-Ciambcr'sJ jour
nal.