The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-06
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Ht u'SlitSScu IclJ 10 Tic
full in that moment the wonderful re-
lief that comes from the fat of COM
panionship in serious trouble.
"f'or Gods sake sir" he cried "hclp
nc in, somewhere, out OF this horrible
storm! You're stranger to me, but
If you'll get me shelter right OF |
won't mind Civ ngyou-Giving you"
The offer came hard, even at such
timc of sore need, for the speaker
loved money better than anything in
the world Int wit with I'M effort ho said.
It'll give you five dollars"
Another flash of lightning briefly
disclosed the men to each other. 1t
was youth Of about twenty who
shouted back against the roaring wind:
"WhQ are you, and where arc you
bound?"
The explanation was given in few
words.
"WelI," re;oined the youth, "you
can't got TO the village in this
storm. I was on my way over to Tom
Bryson's when it broke out. That's
guess I'll take you there. Let me
carry your sachel, sir
MIR Belmont refused to let so OF his
the two slowly wended their way along
in tho darkness and the storm. In the
brief conversation that was | ossible,
the traveller learned that his companion
was named Edgar Van Wyck, and that
he was the only child Of widow living
short distance away on u cross-road.
Presently the two tirned from the
highway into a wide lane, and followed
it some distance. The lane led through
thick patch of woods, which entirely
hid the house they were approaching
from the road. AS they clca ed this
wood, they found that the fury of the
Ltorm was over. The wind rapidly
went down, the rain ceased, and almost
as it had arisen the tempest was stillcl.
The guide at last paused before
house. "This is the place." he said.
The light was ample, now, to permit
an examination of the exterior of the
building. 1t was two-story frame
house of considerable size, standing
broadside to the lane. IN past years
the lane had been pleasant drive
through the wood. Occupied once by
some wealthy proprietor, the house
had, through misfortune or other
change, been let for some years. It's
occupants had almost ruined it. and it
had been long since repairs We're made.
There was no trace of paint outside,
many panCs OF glass were IN ssing, and
at least one whole sash was broken in :;
n chimney had fallen, leaving but n
few ragged bricks abo' the roof, in
one end of which was n large hole. 1t
was evidently the home of po ;crty; it
did not strikingly Indicate hospitality.
"This is the place." Edgar Van Wyck
repeated.
"Well, let. us sa-ip, u!cn."
The youth hesitated
What's tho natter" Mr.. Belmont
sharply asked. Il hope you haven't
brought me here on fools GRAND"
"You can go in here, sir, or I'll show
you the way to the village"
"How far is it?"
"Something more than n mile"
I'm wet as drowned rat. and all
fired ont, body and mind, with expos
urc. If don't get myself dried right
away, ono of my rheumatic attacks wi |
lay me up for month among you
Doors about here; then good.b by to the
object of my journey. Why did YOU
undertake to get me n shelter if YOU
did not mean to keep Your word?"
II lave fept IT. sir. You can 40
right in here. I'll come over in the
morning in good season to show you
the way to the village, in time for tho
coach. The fact is, sir, Tom is pe-
culiar; some folks think his head isn't
right He don't like the people about
here any better than they ] ke him.
I'm no favori.e with him. though /
come over sometimes. You'll got hot
ter reception from him hy going alone
than you would il went in with you. "
Mr.. Belmont was greatly dissatisfied
with this state Of affairs, and urged his
guide to remain.
"You must help me to get in" he re.
monstratcd. WASN'T you coming here
when you found me?
My business will keep till morning,
replied the youth, with IL laugh. I'm
as wet as you are, and in no shape to
make calls. Good-by. till morning"
He was gone with the words. Grum.-
bling to himself, tho traveller went up
to the door-.not the large door tha5
was midway of the front of the house.
for all the windows about it were dark