The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-05

&V oolro"eo rom 'he SET.
ting sun. showed out
IN bold relief the. narrow, irregular
openings and projecting roofs of the
though it was nearly g O'Clock when a
horseman who had dismounted in the
stsble-yard of the principal inn emerged
the-efrom and ran up the steps into the
nearest "row," he considered that enough
light still fingered to enable him to ac-
*complish the purpose for which he had
come
81 suppose ought to have been here
couple of hours ago." he said to himself;
"but, after all, can come again if / don't
feel quite sure about 1t. l have nothing
else to do, and as q matter of fact | sup
pose it will end in my riding into Chester
four or five days week until the hunting
begins. What jolly old town 1t is! l
have seen nothing like it anywhere. So
English, and yet so-queer. This long
tunnel of an archway, with the names of
the shopkeepers running across, lodging
one below the other so crafty that you
can't go far wrong in your bearings any
where. Hullol though, / don't know
about that. believe am wrong already.
Whereabouts am II" stopping to con-
sider.
He was ut the end of one row and at the
beginning of another which turned off at
sharp angle from it; moreover, in front
Of him were various turnings and wind
ings, three streets met down below.
II believe IL shall have to ask" said
Colonel Philip Harbeck, pulling his long
moustache and looking this way and that
He had mans horror of asking his way,
and had it not been that time was precious.
would have preferred even now finding it
out for himself.
1t was well that he did not attempt do
ing SO. He had actually taken few PAGES
IN wrong direction when prudence called
q halt, and bystander who was lounging
idly near was surprised by an interroga-
tion which showed that the tall, soldierly-
looking inquirer was very far gone in ig-
norance of his surroundings.
sWattergate row, sir? Right opposite
you; down these steps and up those ones.
That is Watergate street down below. The
rows are above and the streets are below.
and"
Thank We, thank ye" With the curt
recognition of superior and the brevety
OF man of action, Colonel Harbeck was
running down the crooked and worn little
stone staircase by his side ere his looua-
cious informant could proceed further.
and before the latter had replaced his law
elbows on the parapet had vanished un
the corresponding opening on the other
side
THE new chap in command at the
depot, i should say" concluded the
lounger, turning himself around again.
Anyhow it's one of them"
But Harbeck was not lone of them"
He had done with being 'in command. +"
He had had enough of soldering. enough
OF barrack life, enough of knocking about
the world, and being possessed of good
fortune, good health, plenty of friends and
abundance of energy, had come home to
make the most of the remainder of his
life.
AT hve-and-forty man may still hope
Tor many years of vigorous existence. and
fhilip Harbeek was Just five and-forty. in
spite OF his steel-gray hair and the lines
across his brow. Nay, he looked none the
Older Tor these; they merely serve TO give
uistinetion and seriousness to his face
whiie the rudy freshness of his cheeks
ana the elearness of his eye gave it youth.
Haroeck had bought small estate in the
neighborhood of Chester, and he was now
vastly busy and happy furnishing afresh
She comfortable house which was to be
henceforth his home.
Needs lot of things yet. he cogitated
as he BUSTED along with all the satisfac-
ton OF an active mind backed by a we'll
hiled purse. Il am only just getting things
into order must be on the lookout for
al sorts OF things. Chairs, for instance.
One cant have too many chairs. I have
about enough settles" thoughtfully scan
ming an imposing old oak settle which NJ
The moment came into view, standing ont
on the tagged pavement of the row. sStill
/ don't know. That looks a good one -
coming 10 full stop. II must not mt OFF
time asking about it now, though =" sud.
denly, II had better secure the cunhoard
first. And. by Jovei shan't see much
Of the carving, as il is these little dens are
90 dark inside now that the light ia going
Now for it." turning into one of the .iit-
tle dens" ~ he spoke and addressing tho
proprietor, who, obviously on the lookout
now sided respectfully backward. n look
of iov and relief upon his careworn conn.
tenance.
.soh. this is il, is it ?" said Colonel liar.
beck, following with his eve the directing
finger which pointed TO tall, ancient look.
Ing corner cupboard of dark oak. which
stood in conspicuous position near the
door This is the cupboards Oh" pull
Ing his mustache in his usual fashion
when considering point. Looks a fair
ish one. In decent condition. is it? Back
sound? Open it, will your Ie-es, wees, ="
slowly aud obviously, 'I-l-rather like il.
II might do. What do you ask for il pn
The crucial question coming. ike the
important part of lady's letter, in the
postscript of the sentence.
Not that il really mattered to Harbeek.
He was in his soul delighted, enchanted.
AT the first glance he had perceived thar
the cupboard was the very thing of which
he was in search. the very thing he
required 10 ill certain niche on certain
landing. In consequence he had much
ado to hide boyish triumph and eagesness.