The Somerset reporter., 1885-07-29
Selected.
OUR VISITOR.

She landed at the one motel of our quiet
village on a Saturday morning. we no.
ticed her particularly because she was
alone, because she was stranger, ana De-
cause she was very pretty. She appeared
to be a young lady of two or three and
twenty, slightly above the medium eight,
of perfect form-that is, if you can admit
that perfect health and vigor may go with
perfect form-with large, piercing black
eyes, and d wealth of raven trcsses floating
over her shoulders. She was habited in a
neat and convenient travelling dress, and
as she stepped from the stage-coach to the
piazza her movements were supple, though
little crainped by her long ride. A large
canvas covered trunk followed her into the
hall, and after she had been shown into the
parlor, the register, with pen and ink, was
brought for her signature. She nodded
asautly-nodded with smile that COM
pletely captivated the impressive clerk
aud then, in very pretty Italian hand,
wrote her name-"MIsS CLARA DUBOIS,
Philadelphia, Penn"
Later, as the landlord politely escorted
her to the supper room, she informed him
that she had head OF his house-that it
was quiet aud well kept, and that she had
come Tor u short rest and respite from the
din and turmoil of the great city. And
then, with the sweetest smile imaginable,
she added:
"As am alone and a stranger, | ought,
perhaps, TO say just a word of myself.
NV mother is not living. My father aud |
have lately returned from a European tour,
an3 have sought this quiet rctreat while
he prepares our house in Philadelphia. II
he can leave his business he may, in the
course Of few weeks, come up after me. "
The good host was grateful for the in-
form alton, and was very glad the young
INDY had hcnored his house with her pres
ence. He would do what he could TO make
her stay comfortable and agreeable.
Very soon Miss Dubois became acquaint-
ed with the guests of the house, and
proved herself as Intelligent aud entertain
ing as she was pretty. She played well
upon the piano forte, but did not sing.
She played chess, too, though there was
only one party in the house to play with
her.
The DAYS passed on, and Miss Dubois
walked much in and about the village
She seemed interested in the place, aud
spoke favurably of all that she SAW. Her
usual walking habit was of dress of black
silk and jaunty Swiss hat, and very few
men met her on the street who did not
turn to take second view.
Boarding AT the hotel was Mr.. Aaron
Huntly. He kept the principal store in
the village, II d was also our postmaster
He was man of five and forty, rotnnd aud
good looking, and had been wdower ten
wears. He was Il tender hearted man, al
belt little self-sutlcient aud important;
but he was mpressiole and gallant, and he
could uubend to the softer Sex. In iact,
he quietly enjoyed what he conceived TO be
his power over the marriageable young Ia
dies of the village; and, certain power
he did certainly possess, for in addition to
his passably good looks, he was wealthy
that is, wealthy as compared with other
people in the village. He had been sue
cessful trader, and he had been careful of
his money, which he worshipped.
And ii was Mr.. Huntley who played
chess with Miss Dubois. He was very
fair player, and she was skiliful. Some
Times he came off winner, though II Is
doubtful If he realized that his occasional
victory as through the kind sufferance OF
his fair antagonist. And so the village
store keeper and the pretty visitor became
warm friends, and it came at length that
almost every evening found them at the
chess board.
Let It not be thought that Mr.. Huntly
was the only man that sought the society
of Miss Dubois. A score, at least, OF the
Young men of the village were very atteu-
tive. She was kind and gracious to all but
she plainly showed that the substantial
merchant was her favoriLe. With him she
went to picnic, and with him she went to
churcb. where she was among the most de.
vout OF the worshippers
Yes, she was certainly fond of the COM
pauy of Mr.. Huntly, and it is not to be
wondered at that he should come fond OF
her. She was pretty, she was witty, she
was intelligent and she had strong common
sense, and, Furthermore, she was young
and buoyant. What more could he ask Tor
for In wife? 1t he thought of dover,
her conversation of herself had convinced
him that her father was wealthy.
One evening Aaron Huntly came from
the parlor, where he had been playing
chess, radiant. He had proposed ana had
been accepted. He mauaged to keep the
sweet, blessed secret for iour-ano-tWehly
hours, and then he let it out to the land
lord. and was congratulated. The store
keeper was happy. He walked as one who
trends on air. He was smiling and graz
cious to his customers, and even generous.
"Of Course" whispered Clara, with her
head resting upon Mr.. Huntley's shoulder,
1--WE cannot be married Until my iather
comes. have written TO him ana toiu
him ALL"
Yes-he knew she had written, for on
that very day he had mailed the letter 40
dressed to "CoL. CHARLES Ii. DUBOIS,
Philadelphia, Penn"
"And," pursued Clara, with emotion II
| know he will like you. He has been a
kind and lndugent papa to me
81 hope he will like me, dazzling"
ooh, know he will. You will be con-
tent to wait till he comes?"
Eyes, though it is happiness deferred.
"Ah! Aaron, do you think you WIN al
WAYS love me AS now?"
always, dearest!" And he pressed her
to his bosom In tie exuberauce OF his al
fiction.
After this, Miss Dubois was much at the
store, and, in her playful, happy way she
assiste d often in the post office, which was
a square room partitioned of in one corner
| of the building.
And so the days went on, and Aaron
Huntley was certainly the happiest man IN
| the village. But one morning under
! clap fell upon him. lie went " his store