The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-07-11
THE LOG HUT OF CHAPMAN.

THE LOG HUT OF CHAPMAN.
OF all the suburbs south of the
Thames, Chaplain has the appearance
of the most homogeneous prosperity.
Its ways are broad and open, its houses
substantial and well kept. An air OF
comfortable competence is to be found
i'm its ouietest hooks, while the splen-
dor of city riches shines on its most con-
spicuous s ,uares and roads and ter
races. The Common is its glory, the
crown of its afiuence. To live on Clap
ham Common means an ooliging
banker. efficient servants, gallant
horses, and no more personal knOwl-
edge of bankruptcy than kaffir has OF
estheticism. Sc
OF all the houses on Chaplain Com
mon the most spacious is the Log Hut.
1t stands with four fair walls aga ;rsr
the four lights of heaven. The exterior
aspect is large and free; responsible
without pretentiousness; comfortable
without sordidness; liberal without
prodigality.
The interior more than confirms the
outward prom Sc. In summer it is full
OF bdued sunlight, and open to the
wandering perfumes of the garden be-
yond. Ii is still without being hushed.
fine silence seems always either brood
ing over music fled or awaiting melody.
Sounds which abroad strike harsh upon
the ear come mingled with murmur
of leaves, and are no more than the
stray, full-bodied notes of an incomplete
tune.
In winter huge fires blaze for well
come. The silver shines, the pictures
CLEAN. the drapery grows mellow, the
carpets catch the warmth, the ceiling
throws down the glow of the ruddy
Light. Soft chairs and couches woo the
stranger to repose, and importune him
to delay. 10
The master of this house, Mr.. William
Bayliss. had Just reached that period of
life when, fortune LAYING favored him,
and he being untroubled by any later
growth of ambition, he was little dis
posed for new enterprise and made up
his mind to live Whist M ght be yet
given to him OF life in all the peaceful
ness of moderate use. He was sixty
years of age.
MIR. RaylisS was man of rather more
than the middle height. His figure was
but slightly stouter than forty years
ago. He had arge, kindly blue eyes,
n broad. unwrinkled forehead. and,
save where fringe of gray hair ran
round tine lower part OF his head, he
was quite bald. He did not wear
WHISPERS, beard or mustache. lnyouth
he had been good looking. In age he
had a singularly gracious, benevolent
face.
Mrs Payliss, five years his unior,
and married to him thirty years ago,
reflected many of the leading charac,
teristics of his expression. She had
been his good wife ali that t me. She
believed there was no better man than
he in all the world.
10 this good couple one daughter had
been born. Kate was her name. And
now this day, in the middle of leafy
June, Kate was to be married. She
was to marry Edward MayAe, the
choice of her own heart, the only sweet
heart of her girlhood, and the sutton
who had won tie love and respect o.
her father and mother. sr... .-.-
rate was twenty-five, tall and 1.-the
had dark eyes and round, red cheek
AMI red lips and darl brown hair, will
here and there flaws of lighter brown
that made rich gold of the sunlight
aShe7sm led ofteuer than laughed, bu
when she did laugh there was such {
tone of exquisite enjoyment that peo
pile paused to listen as we hush on
rude voices when unawares we an
startled by the lark.
dward Mayne was jovial, light
hearted fellow; tall too, fiat-chested
lightly built, and 1.-the, with anima
spirits enough for parish, good hear
enough for county, and as much goo'
sense as you would like to see in an,
fine, handsome, dashing young fellow
o. seven-and-twenty. Although he ha
not been up to this at al blameless, b
was, everyone said who knew him well
OF the best kind OF raw material from
which the best kind of EngliShman
made.
" hen all the oratoncal formalities Q
the breakfast had been complied with
and vet an hour was to spare before tn
bride and bridegroom set ont upon thei
honeymoon, the master of the hous
rose and said:
:" here is Just time before the youn,
people leave US for a little story, VIII C
has been a blameless secret between
nv wife and me for many year. Som
OF you are old friends. yet l think tn
memory of none of you rea hes back
the circumstance which caased me (
call this house fhe Log Hut.
lit has been my good foItune-goo
fortune for which I am ever grateful
Hea en-that. having begun life with
modest education and no fortune.
have arrived toward The close of m
wears, at poston of comfort; ma,
moderate aIiue9ce.
''k began lie in the city of Londo
in the Office of large timber firm 4
sixteen l entered the Office. and until
was close upon twenty was occupied
the ordinary routine OF the countin:
house. / never cared much for de
wo K, and was glad ofthe opportunit
ole wing my desk and taking a pos
ton in our great timber-yard. Hel
was life of physical activity, in whic
/ ound scope for Judgment: at the o
flee | had done merely mechanic;
work.
..Marston & Co. bought and so
wood of all kinds -Swedish, Mort
American, West Indian, Britt b Aft
can. 1 quickly became master OF n