The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-06
but to small door near the end, the
windows about which were lighted.
He gave O loud knock.
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER Ill
INSIDE
A gruff voice answered:
who's there?"
"A traveller in DISTRESS" was tho re-
ply. Tho stage met with an accident,
md L started to walk to the village.
The rain has wet me through. / am
tired and hungry, and want to stay
till morning."
81 his amt tavern" was the re-
joinder.
But you surely won't turn me away
1t is far to the village, and must dry
myself and rest"
Mr.. Belmont heard soft voice.
which seemed 10 be pleading fo- his
admission, though he could not hear
the words. A growl from the surly
voice cut it short -
"I'm under no obligations to talk TO
every vagabond that comes along with
a made-up story"
wclI.n p' ~
The last words were more pcr-
suasive.
Let him in, jess, and we'll see what
he loohs like"
Tho door was opened by girl.
Ihe apartment and the two persons
that were thus introduced to Mr.. Bel
mont have much 10 do with our narra-
tive.
He saw a good-sized room, which, in
other days, must have been the cheer
iul sitting room of some family circle.
a. broad Fireplace was bordcred by
pictorial tiles, now cracked and dis
placed. The rich paper on the walls
was patched and spotted. The floor
was uncarpeted; threo plain chairs and
pine tablo, the latter now bearing the
remains OF frugal supper, were the
sole furniture. A good fire blazed in
the chimney, and an armful of dry
sticks and branches lay by it. A tallow
candle was lighted on the table.
The girl who had admitted the guest
was not moro In IL twenty years old.
Her face was young in feature and
outline, but there was fixed pensive-
moss upon it that made it seem older.
Her eyes were gray, luminous and ten
der; her mouth was sweet in its lines
OF sorrow, resolutely repressed. Dark
brswn hair ran and rippled in natural
curls over her shapoly head; her brow,
her cheek. her throat were as fair as
the pond lily. Her dress was coarse
in material, and without ornament.
1t was this beautiful presence that
moved usually ungracious Mason Bel
mont to an expression of politeness.
II believe / should thank you, miss,
for wishing me admitted. heard you
speaking for me-"
She smiled--she was not used to
smiles-and would have answered.
when the surly voice interrupted her.
No use of fine spec eshes here. The
stranger says he'll pay, and :hhs Lord
knows we need his money bad enough.
Let him eat what there is left, and dry
himself by the fire. He can ha my
bed II holl pay for it. This is oil
business, stranger--no sentiment at all
in it. Fix the table over, Jess, while
he gets dry"
The girl turned silently to her task.
MIR. Belmont drew near the fire, but,
warned by the GOODNESS of his recep-
tion, he made nc further effort at con-
versation. By the heat of the glowing
fireplace he soon got himself thoroughly
dried, and gladly responded to the
summons to refresh himself Mt the
humble board. The victuals were poor
and scanty, but the guest managed to
hppeaSe Ills nuoPer.
A glance or two from Mr.. Belmont
had satisfied him what manner of man
the other was, and while he stood by
The fire and sat by the table he gave
him no more attention.
Not so with the surly host. He had
also been drying himself; his ragged
coat was thrown over chair, and his
coarse shoes were before the fire. His
shoulders were stopped, though he was
not an old man. Gray hair was scat
tered thinly over his head; his fore
head and checks were scanned with
wrinkles; his eyes were weary and
lusterless, save when anger kindled
them; his thin lips were morose and
sour in expression. The hands that
were clasped about his knees were
hard and horny from toll. Hardship,
sorrow, the bitterness and the darkness
OF life were plainly expressed by the
whole picture.
He did not obtain. full view OF his
visitors face until the freight shone
strong upon it as he sat Ut the table.
Then he gave sudden start.
The surly look gave place to one of
doubt; then of close inquiry finally.
as if satisfied, he drew his chair back
into the shadows. Had Mason Bel
mont then seen that face, he would
have been startled by it's ferocity. The
dull eyes glowed like forge-fres famed
by the bellows.
The guest finished his meal; the
daughter busted herself few moments
in clearing away the dishes. Then she
went up to her father and timidly laid
her hand on his shoulder.
AYon take my room, father" she
said. Il can make kind of bed here
with some old wraps. You have worked
hard all day, and got wet, and you
must not lose your Sleep"
A little tenderness, the fret that the
man had shown, appearo in his reply:
mo, Jess; you GO to bed, and I'll do
the sitting up. I'm going to have my
tofmcntor to.nie eht---the devil of faces
and things long past It'll make no
difference whether I have bed or not"
"Poor fatherl-how wish -"
20, go long with your foolishnessl /
Here it's half-past eight by the clock.
Go up to your luxurious room--the
only one on the whole upper floor of
this old den fit for human being to.