Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-16
HOLLOWAY HOUSE.

Arthur Severn raised his head from
the book which he had been porting over
the greater part of the afternoon and
gazed despondently at the dingy walls
ct the room. Finally he arose, and 60
ing to the window peered out through
the cracked and grimy panes of glass,
now streaked with rain, which was driv-
ing violently from the east. From early
morning the rain had been falling inces-
sanity, and ss darkness began to close
around the village the wind blew more
violently than ever and the rain fell in
heavier torrents. A large brown patch
appeared on the ceiling above and the
water began to drip down and form lit
tie puddles on the uncarpeted floor. 1t
was q melancholy day and Severn felt
that it accorded well with his own evil
fortune He occupied the only habit
able room In . large, old, tumble
down house that stood on at one side of
the village near the river and had been
falling to decay for years.
Severn was striving to make his way
through college, and when the land
lords agent suggested his taking q
room in the "old Holloway house" at
q much lower figure than he could OBJ
tain lodging for elsewhere he felt con-
strained on account of his poverty to
accept the offer. His parents were
poor, and, moreover, adverse to his
taking college course, so that he was
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 up the whole
thing, but the letters which came from
Mary Eldridge full OF encouragement
and loving sympathy always induced
him to take brighter view Of the cir
cumstances.
He had met Mary at the academy at
Melville. and mutual admiration for
each others scholarly attainments had
been the first step in the formation Of
friendship that Hpened into love. Mary
had gone to Wellesley 10 complete her ed
ucation. and Severn was In his sophomore
year in college. Miss Eldridge came Of
wealthy parents. and had always been
surrounded with the comforts of we'll
ordered home. Severn knew that her
unseifssh disposition would exact no con-
ditions to their engagement. but he was
fully determined never TO let her share
his lot until he had completed his edu
cation and secured a competent income.
During the last year a series OF mis-
fortunes had overtaken him. A friend To
whom he had loaned the money with
which he expected 20 meet the bulk %
his expenses suddenly died. leaving his
debts wholly unliquidsted. Severn him
self had undergone q severe illness dur
ing the fall. and tn satisfy his numerous
obligations he secured few hundred
dollars from Mr. Holloway. who was
always ready ~ make loans AZ usurions
interest, bat remorsele-s in exacting biz
claims. Finally he began 20 receive let.
ters from home urging him 90 return %
the farm. Unless he could Civ. some
std they would lose the old place. his
mother wrote
II duty called him home he would 60,
bat be felt II he did his prospects were
gone An idea struck him n he could
sndo~~ Mr. Holloway ~ give ham time
on his losn and trust him f.r his rent
anssi he csnid - ~ earn somsshiag be
world send The money home whlea be
hsd f>~n seruaaiAssrg fsr th~ payment
II The dett Fie went - see NJ Hello
wsy lut the rssponse q he ssansst va
- ehssly thaf - f<it sime~s saslty -
sssn~ hefnoas erisne
IL - ss< sss6s~~.e -.sa Mr.. tfellos
oar. ssnss h~nknssA Would hks b.