Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-08
ROMANCE OF the HOTEL STAR.

The muddy voiture drawn by the
lazy horse clsttered over the cObbled
pavement Of the village, aud |, seated
therein, took in such details of the pros
pct as Was unoDscuIed by the broad
round shoulders of my character 10
my right u sheer precipioe ofsome two
HUNDRED feet in height, crowned with
shocks of ruddy foliage; to my left u
bare landscape that but month ago
had been rich with golden grain; over
head n steel blue sky, dappled with
shifting clouds. The long avenue OF tic
and poplar stretched before me in
wearisCue mOuoIony Of green aud rus
set, and the rUad Was MOST with rot
tiIg leaves.
Three miles of muddy road. three
miles OF mOnOtOnOuS frs and pOplarS,
an hour Of shake and Dgle Of the crazy
vehicle, and we rolled into the villagr.
Of PastaI. The rOuud-sholl tered driver
checked the lazy horse at the portals of
tie Hotel OF the Star, q huge white
Wsshed edlfice, its walls pierced by in
Vulnerable windows, and surmOunted
byGDglsZtd attics, which stared 0lindly
at the drtary fields beyond the swollen
stream, luIgId with late rains. There
were Lulf dozen on-tOpped tables
and as many chairs and benches, all IN
a slate OF clammy preparation. under
the damp awning above the windows
al a n a tho NrlIlfl.
there Was face, which flushed aud
paItd As 1 descended from the carriage
and a. entered the public room the
sane lace met me at the door. Not an
unhaudsome face, if judged by the
standards Of form and color, but Ona
which Expressed irresOluliOu aud moral
shitltsShtse, If ever lace dad Yet.
mir. Gordon what i'm the name OF
wOl.der brimKs you hereT'
business L replied; important
business"
"lndt I'd! With whom"
The question Was supertluous, "a his
shifting glance aud Irresolute voice
would have told any nnlOOker.
with yuu," / answered. tie looked
at me swiftly, aud lowered his eyes
AGAIN. I'VE can talk here, L sup
IOct
YES" be said silently enough.
''TheTe isn't a soul in the house WHO
understands English. Hasn't been for
the last fortnight"
He drew chair to the flreleSs stove
ana sal chatting his hands in evident
discomfort. took q seat at some little
distance.
"How's Mary?" he asked presently,
without luOkiugup
We'll in health"
He was silent again for minute,
and then broke out querulOusiy:
Cant you say something to 3 fell
low? What's the matter"
IL have come with the intention OF
say ing something; aud you ought To
know what the matter is. Why have
you not ~rItren?"
IL have written"
"she received your last letter 6
month ago"
He uttered an inartieulate growl by
way of answer, aud l repeated my
question.
"NIat is there to write about in
hole Ike ths?'
walter, my lad" answered quietly
ignoring the puerility Of his excuse and
the IusOlSnCS VI hlS tonVp ~ WIN
do"
"What won't do"
"Your conduct. And you must alter
IT. | have come at some perSJual in-
convenience, and II am to be of any
u-e at all YOU must behave frankly.
Now what's the matter? Some new
ENHANCEMENT, / suppose"
by Jove, sir, it's not my fault
rnnn nav hpnl ~ mot Il hkA Mary "a
thousand times better than than l
like her. But she won't take No for
an answer. What's poor devil to do
with y woman like that?
"Have you ever given her NO for ca
answer
He answered nothing, but sat mood
lily staring at the fire.
"Will you ever have an ounce Of
pluck or shred of common hOuesty?'
He grOwled again, and shifted his
feet uueasily.
"Wbo is she9 What is her aame?r
Madame Maliues," answered Wal
ter.
"Mslines: know the name. Have
i ever met herPr
EVERY body knows the name. She's
the widow of Malines, the French
Acsd, micisn, the dictionary fellow"
Indeed! But he was an old man,
surely, How old is she@
Twenty. eight or thirty, suppose"
"Wbere did you meet her."
"Here, about SIX weeks ago, and she
msde dead set at me-eOnfound her!
the moment she set eyes on me. Pm
the unluckiest beggar that ever lived,
think"
"Wby, she monopolized me, and
hunted me about wherever / went"
''She is in the hotel at present"
"She will be soon. Shes gone fora
drive"
"well," asked presently, "what are
your intentiOns?"
"Gordon, | don't know; can't tell.r
He rose and began an irregular walk
about the room. II can't understand
things at all, myself or her, when she's
sway. care nothing for her; L hate
her" be broke out, with sudden
febrile vehemence. "She makes me
behave like q hOund. L should have
been back in England q mouth ago If il
had not been for her. But [ can't 60
What would be the good? She know
all about me and would be on my track
by the next boat"
"Have you told her fyour engage
me0t?"
"No,n be answered, with shifty eyes;
al dared nOt.n =,
"What do you mean by dared
notT"
He looked at me quietly.
swsit till you see her and then ask
that"
His cowsrdice respecting the woman
of whom he spoke had put one suspi-