Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-08-26
HOLLOWAY HOUSE.

Arthur Severn raised hb bead from
tho book which he had been poring over
the creator part ok the afternoon and
gazed despondently a tho dtngy walls
Of the room Finally be arose. and go
ing TO the window peerod out through
the cracked and grimy panes Of glass,
now streaked with rain, which was driv-
ing violently from the eask From early
morning the rain had been falling inoes-
sanity, and az darkness began TO Close
around the village tho wind blow more
violently than ever and t4e rain fell In
heavier torronts. 4 large brown patch
appeared on the ceiling above and the
water began TO drip down and form lit
tie puddles on the uncaypeted 6oos. II
was q melancholy day and Severn felt
that 10 accorded we'll with his own evil
fortune. he occupied the only habit
able room IN o large, old. tumble
down house that stood of st one side Of
the village near the river and had been
falling 20 decay fos yeara
Severn was striving 30 make his way
through college, and when the land
lords agent suggested his taking q
room IN tho "old Holloway house al
q much lower figure Than he could Oh
tnAn lodging for elsewhere he felt con-
strained on account Of hb poverty 30
accept the offer. His parents were
poor, and, moreover, adverse to bic
taking a college course, 30 that he wal
unable to receive any aid from them
For some time past he had found him
self inextricably involved IN financial
embarrassment. and he had often been
on the point OF giving mp the whole
thing, but the letters which came from
Mary Eldridge full OF encouragement
and loving sympathy always induced
him tc take brighter Wow Of the cir
cunstances.
He had met Mary NJ the academy at
Melville, and q mutual admiration for
each others scholarly attachments had
been the first step In the formation Of q
friendship that ripened into love. Mary
had gone b. Wellesley 20 complete her ell
| ucation, and Severn was In his sophomore
year In college, Miss Eldridge cane Of
wealthy parents, and had always been
surrounded with the comforts Of well
ordered home. Severn knew that her
unselish disposition wUuh exact no con-
ditions 10 their engagement, but he was
fully determined never 10 let her share
his lot until hs had completed his edu
cation and secured competent income.
During tho last year series Of mis-.
ha1 vtaE ..
whom he had loaned the money with
which he expected 10 meet the bulk of
his expenses suddenly died, leaving his
debts wholly unliquidated- Severn him.
self had undergone a severe illness dur
ing the fall. and 10 satisfy his numerous
| obligations he secured a few hundred
dollars from MY. Holloway, who was
always ready 10 make loans at usurious
interest, but remorseless In exacting his
claims. Finally he began 10 receive let
tors from homo urging him TO return 10
the farm. "Unless he could give some
| aid they would lose the old place." his
mother wrote.
II duty called him home he would 90,
but he felt II he did his prospects wero
gone. An idea struck him II he could
induce Mr.. Holloway TO give him time
on his loan and trust him for his rent
until he could get 70 earn something no
would send the money home which he
had been accommodating for the payment
| Of the debt He went TO SEQ Mr.. Hollo-
way, but the response to his request WA
30 chilly that he felt almost guilty Of
some heinous crime.
1T Is not business said Mr.. Hollo-
way, mot business. Would like to
oblige you. but must have some method,
You know"
A dunning letter from tho agent, fol-
lowing conspicuously close upon his
visit 10 Mr.. Holloway, filed his soul
with bitterness. The way out OF his
difficulties seemed as dark as the day on
which we find him brooding over his
| evil fortune In the "old Holloway
House" The water fell In torrents and
tho river IN the rear was NO swollen by
the rain that It had overflowed It's banks
and was washing the foundation stones
OF the shaky old structure The room
was chilly and wet, but no built no fire.
and though darkness came on early he
hardly observed tho change, but eat
pondering over the hopeless outlook
without even the ghostly light from
the seams In tho rickety stove 10 reveal
the outlines Of the room.
Tho wind continued b. riso and the
rain 10 fall faster, until the old shell
quivercd and Quaked. but Severn paid
no attention His soul was shaken by
storm also. There was as much dark.
ness within M without He know his
own disposition too woli 10 attempt 70
study until he could quict bis nerves, no
be sat In tho darkness until long after
midnight. listening 70 the bowling wind
and the roar Of the swollen river.
Suddenly thore came q arash; there
was heavy fall of plastering, and for a
minute Severn thought that tho old
house was about 10 give way. To have
Its walls fall upon him no knew wonld
be ahnpst certain death, but with a
thrill Of ms,ancholy pleasure no hoped
for moineDt thas IL might happen.