The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-02-15

What Dolph whispered in her ear that
long summer evening it is impossible to
say; his words were so low and indistinct
that they never reached the ear of the
historian. It is probable, however, that
they were to the purpose, for he had q
natural talent at pleasing the sex, and
was never long in company with petit
coat without paying proper court to it.
In the meantime the visitors one by one
departed; Antony Wander Heyden, who
had fairly talked himself silent, sat nod
ding alone in his chair by the door when
he was suddenly aroused by hearty
salute with which Dolph Heyliger had
unguardedly rounded off one of his
periods. and which echoed through the
still chamber like the report of pistol
The Herr started up, rubbed his eyes,
called for lights, and observed that it
was high time to go to bed; though, on
parting for the night, he squeezed Dolph
heartily by the hand, looked kindly in
his face, and shook his head knowingly;
for the Heer well remembered what he
himself had been at the youngsters age.
The chamber in which our hero was
lodged was spacious, and paneled with
oak. It was furnished with clothes
presses and mighty chests Of dHwers,
well waxed and entering enass
ornaments. These contained ample stock
of family linen, for the Dutch house
wives had always laudable pride in
showing off their household treasures to
strangers.
Dolph's mind, however, was too full to
take particular note Of the objects
around him; yet he could not help con-
tinually comparing the free, open
hearted cheeriness of this establishment
with the starveling, sordid, joyless
housekeeping at DR.. Knipperhausen's.
Still there was something that marred
the enjoyment-the idea that he must
take leave of his hearty host and pretty
hostess and cast himself once more adrift
upon the world. To linger here would
be folly; he should only get deeper in
love; and for poor varlet like himself
to aspire to the daughter of the great
Heer Wander Heyden-it was madness to
think of such thing. The very kind
ness that the girl had shown towards him
prompted him, on reflection, to hasten
his departure; it would be poor return
for the frank hospitality of his host to
entangle his daughters heart in an in
judicious attachment. In word, Dolph
was like many other young reasoners, OF
exceeding good hearts and giddy heads,
who think after they act, and act differ
emily from what they think; who make
excellent determinations over night and
forget to keep them the next morning.
''This is fine conclusion, truly, OF
my voyage" said he, as he almost buried
himself in sumptuous feather bed, and
drew the fresh white sheets up to his
chin. Here am l, instead of finding
bag of money to carry home, launched
in strange place, with scarcely silver
in his pocket, and what is worse, have
jumped ashore up to my ears in love into
the bargain. However" added he, after
some pause, stretching. himself and turn
ing himself in bed, "I'm in good quarters
for the present, at least; SO I'll cen
enjoy the present moment and let the
next take care of itself; dare say all
will work out, somehow or other for
the best
AS he said these words he reached out
his hand to extinguish the candle, when
he was suddenly struck with astonish-
ment and dismay, for, he thought he
beheld the phantom of the haunted
house staring on him from a dusky part
of the chamber. A second look treasured
him, as he perceived that what he had
taken for the specter was, in fact,
nothing but Flemish portrait that hung
in shadowy corner just behind clothes
press. 1t was, however, the precise
representation of his nightly visitor-the
same cloak and belted jerkin, the same
grizzled beard and fixed eve, the same
broad, slouched hat, with feather hang
ing over one side. Dolph now called to
mind the resemblance he had frequently
remarked between his host and the old
man of the haunted house; and was fully
convinced that they were in some way
connected, and that some especial destiny
had governed his voyage. He lay gaz-
ing on the portrait with almost as much
awe as he had gazed on the ghostly
original, until the shrill house clock
warned him Of the lateness of the hour.
He put out the light, but remained for q
long time turning over these curious
and condolences in his
mind, until he fell asleep. His dreams
partook of the nature of his waking
thoughts. He fancied that he still lay
gazing on the picture, until, by degrees,
t became animated; that the figure de-
scended from the wall and walked out