The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-05-19
CHAPTER VIII.

, John BARLOW REPORTs PfeOGRTSa
There arc few hostelries Of tho old
fashioned Holly-tree inn pattern left In
Merry England, being displaced by
greet red brick denominations, where q
puet& is ticl<ctcd off like some inmate
of o splendid pcnitentinry; but tho
Nags Head, quaint, old-time tavern
on the left bank of the Thames, chiefly
freouented by artists and fishermen, re-
tains all the charms Of 4 last century
nbode for the weary traveller.
There Arthur Dunbar bctook himself
when he left John Barlow's hospitable
roof
His room wes spacious apartment,
charmingly furnished in antique style,
with square four-post bed whose
snow-whitc curtains revealed in spot
less purity the lavendcr-scentcd sheets
Outside the windows of the apartments
was n long balcony, up whose tapcrinS
pillars woodbine and honeysucltlc
climbed, ladening the air with their
rich perfumc-below, tho river.
It was in the gloazn Of ono evening, Eve
days after he had left Willoughby farm,
that the young American sat in his
pleasant chamber smoking cigar and
thus pondcring over events with the
listless indifference Of one at peace with
the world.
Why had he talScn up his habitation
at THIS out-of-the-way place instead Of
wirging his way TO the fair cities Of Eu-
Upo he had come 30 for to scs? Ee
was trying to answer this question to
his own satisfaction. Could it be that
this blue-cycd English girl with her
lovely face and tender ways, was chain
ing him to the spot? Did he care for
her moro than he had at first supposed?
And, if he did, after her coldncss' to
him on Saturday and Sunday last, was
ne weak enough to banker after her? All
Of which conundrums he was obliged
to. answer in tho affirmative
Ketc Grahame had become, even
in the short period of their acquaint-
anee, very dear to him. What a fool he
wns, to be sure, when there was so lit
tic chance OF success; he would break
the spell and start off to Paris on Mon
day. Meanwhile, il no should chance
to raect hcr in his ramblcs, he would
try and get ct the bottom Of her real
sentiments towards him, without abso-
lutcly compromising himself And to-
night John Barlow was coming to sup
with him on his way back from ChcIt-
sey market Perhaps he might.glean
some tidings from him. AS for the
Frenchmnn, he was not half bad sort
OF follow, but certainly not the kind OF
man that Kate Grahamc would appre-
ciate, who doubtless had shown him
some civility In trying to escape his
own attentions Had that mcddlcsome
old maid, mademoiselle. been poisoning
the girls nind2 Well, he would pump
Farmes Barlow and perhaps learn some
thing.
These reflections were broken in
upon by tho ciatteF Of the hoofs OF the
farmers cob, and in five minutes the
two men wero grnsping hands
Supper was laid In tho sanded parlor-
and q rare, toothsoue meal It was, pre-.
pared by tho landlady's own hand-ond
when it was over, they adjourned tc
Arthnr's own apartment
"What shall it be, Former-wine OF
spirits? cigars, of course3" Arthur asked
with hospitable intentions
"No wine nor spirits for me. young
air, with your permission I'll stick tc
the brown October ale; an as for cigars
they are only fit for boys an womeI
folk. and reod in tho papers that great