Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-05-10

could not but wonder that Mr.. Birch
more should have chosen to take such q
creature into his employ. had the
sense, however, on this occasion to keep
my speculations to myself; was re-
solved not to make fool of myself again
If could help it-at least not with this
particular family. noticed that when
ever Mr.. Birchmore had occasion to ad-
dress this man he did so in peculiarly
severe and peremptory tone, very differ
emit from his usual low voiced style.
There was seemingly no great affection
for him on his masters part, therefore,
and certainly the valet looked incapable
of tender feeling toward any human
creature.
Possibly, however, he was invaluable
as servant and his unpropitiating ex-
terror might cover an honest and faith
full heart. Only, should such turn out
to be the case, would never again put
faith either in physiognomy or my own
instinct of aversion. disliked to think
of this i'll favored mortal being in daily
association with my lovely Kate Birch
more-for already, in my secret soul, i
called her mine-and l made up my
mind that If ever fortune granted me
her, would see to it that monsieur the
valet formed a part Of any ones house
hold rather than ours.
Meanwhile the ferryman had poled
and padded us across the river, on the
shore of which swarm Of hotel porters
stood ready to rend us limb from limb.
But Mr.. Birchmore put them all aside
save one, to whom he pointed out my
trunk and gave him some directions
which did not hear.
81 take the liberty" he then said, turn
ing to me, "to so far do the honors of
this place as to recommend you to the
most agreeable hotel in it, the Bade-
haus, at the farther end of the village
and about half a mile up the valley.
These hotels that front the river would
give you better fare perhaps and less
unpretending accommodations, but If
quiet and GOODNESS are what you are
after, not to mention the medicinal
spring water and private brass band,
the Badehaus is the thing"
"The Badehaus be it, by all means"
This attention surprised me, not because
misdoubted my friends courtesy, but
because l had imagined that his courtesy
would not stand in the way Of an unob-
trusive attempt to withdraw himself
and his daughter from my immediate
companionship. Yet so far was this
from being the case that he had taken
some pains to secure our being together
for of course the Badehaus must be his
own quarters. glanced at Kate, who
had taken her fathers arm and was pac-
ing beside him thoughtfully, with down.
cast eyes. Was she glad as well as 1?
We passed through a narrow alley,
between two friendly buildings, winch
seemed strongly inclined to lean on one
another's shoulders; crossed the rough
cobblestones Of the little market place
and, gaining the farther side Of the
bridge, found ourselves on a broad,
level walk, which skirted the southern
side Of the small valley wherein the vii
lage lies. On our right hand was q
series of succeed villas, built against
the steep side Of the hill; on our left a
strip of meadow, with brook brawling
through it; and beyond this again the
struggling array of the village and the
hill on the other side. Overhead the
spreading branches Of low trees kept
off the glare of the sun. Had Kate and
been there alone, methought the charm
"What delightful little villas these
areI' exclaimed. "Aren't they better
than any hotel-even the BadehausP"
"If you think of spending any great
time here-I believe they don't let for
less than week. But probably these
are all full at this season. Higher up
the valley, two or three miles beyond
the hotel, you will find detached farm
houses, whose owners would no doubt
be glad of lodger. If you are not
broken into a travellers hardships,
though. you'll prefer the Badehaus."
ri think shall prefer it as long as
you are there"
"Well, I'm sorry to say that won't be
long-we shall move tomorrow morn
ing. If had expected you, II should
have been happy to have arranged mat
tiers otherwise. But the fact is, have
engaged rooms at one of the farmhouses
spoke of, and tomorrow they will ex-
pect u.s."
NY spirits fell at this news like a
feather in a vacuum, and dare say my
face showed it. There coull be no
doubt now that Mr.. Birchmore va, re-
solved to get rid of me. That he ,r"uld
go tomorrow to some distant farm Sc
did not question, but as to his having
intended any such thing before he saw
me alight from the train confess l
didn't believe it. It was an unpremedi-
tated expedient, and his inviting me up
to the Badehaus was only polite miti-
| cation of the shock.
81 am very sorryt" was all could
say.
Kate turned her face little toward
me at the words and her eyes met mine
| sidelong. Only that look-she did not
speak-but l saw. or thought l saw,
enough in it to make our parting at such
brief notice sentimental impossibihty
At whatever sacrifice of the laws OF
ceremony and civilized reserve, deter
mined that my acquaintance with her,
so well begun, should not thus be nipped
in the bud. would sooner win her as
barbarian than lose her as man Of
the world. How to execute my deter.
/ n %D r. "a