Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-10-30
.THEL0NE INN
By FERGUS nUNE.
rcopynsA,. ,s.. By III. Au,Aor.i
CHAPTER I

CHAPTER I
II there b. aught In prcsentiments
was we'll warned by that FIRST glimps'
of the inn. The monstrous bulk oi
gables. sloping roofs and lean chimney
kunchcd blackly against the Aky would
have scared . bolder spirit than mine
All day ! had walked under blue sky,
between grccn hedgcrowS with ligh'
ucart and whistling lip Confronted IA
the twilight by 20 sinister . scene i fell
qualmish Ragged clouds dropped thcil
fringes over sullen western red. around
yprcad tho salt marines, evil In thcil
desolation. and I. with chilled blood,
stArcd at the lonely mansion dominating
the outlook Here thought ], an advcn
ture awaits me The hour. the house.
the scene. hint ut romanoe and that OF
the stranecst
40 much were my spirits dashed by
these ofninous environments that 10 wa
In my mind 10 walk the farther 10
miles and shelter for the night ai
Marshminster. Yet some fate compelled
my unwilling feet toward that inho-pi'
table ddpr. and almost before knew
my own mind I was knocking loudly.
II oI-ncd while my hand was still raised
Cor the finsl rap and q handsome won.
mn presented herself 90 my astonishe'l
eyes What beauty did among the toml~
I know not. yet there she smiled
Though handsome. she was not q lady
and lacked the undehnable stamp 81
birth. A. the same time she was above
the commonality. Not n lady. not a
servant. hut something between the two
Her appearance. confirmed tho promise
Of romanca
II have walked from Eastbury. " said
I. cap In hand. "and wish to put NJ
here for the night"
"Marshminster IL only 10 miles
away" answered she. In nowiso dis
po~.d 90 admit me
And fu that reason I want bci
hcro Twenty and morc miles walking
under hot sun has wcaricd mo oonsid'
srably."
II am sorry Wa cannot accommodate
you. sir"
This Is an inn. aid. glancing at
the sign
The fon inn. air. she replied. still
smiling. and full Of guests for the time
t.ing
Pull IL guests In this locality' You
must then entertain waterfowl. fOr j
have seen no human being for the last
~ miles"
She made no direct answer. but shook
her head and prepared ioclo~e the door
Piqucd by the discourt.-y AMI still more
by the mystery of this reception, l was
alout Co insist upon admission when
my attention was attracted to facc at
the near window. Irccognixcd u ~ that
~ college friend and waved my stick
In grcting.
Hello. Briarhold" I shouted lust
lily. Come and help INC 10 q nights
lclgingS"
Tho girl was surprised by my remark.
and. n I thought. ohangcd color. She
stepped aside 90 let Briarheld pas and
exhibited further astonishent nj the ur'
baniiy IL our greeting.
"what wind blows you here. Dcn'
hamy" asked Briarfield. shaking my
hand
II am on O walking tour. i an
sworcd. "And hoped TO have reached
Marshminster tonight. but ~ u 10 10
miles away and feel weary ! wish Ia
sleep here This young lady. however,
says the inn IL full of guests and
Full Of gussts" interrupted Briar
field. looking ut the girl "Nonsense'
Ro~a am tho only guest herc''
I'VE expect Others. sir. said Ro-e
ot~tinately.
"you cant expect sufficient mum
br 10 all the house." he rctortcd
surely Mr.. D,nham can have bsif"
II shall ask my father. sir"
When she disappeared. Briarheld
turned 90 mo with smile and asked q
strang, question
Snow. I'll 10 hound" said he, THAT
you don't know my first namef
"Felix.
mo, You are wrong am not the
rich Felix. but the poor Francis
"You see the result Of being one Of
twins. said impatiently. IF at col
iege I could not distinguish between
Jon. how can you expect me TO do 90
nowf haven't seen either you or your
brother for Mt least two years Where b
felixy"
at Marshminster.
"And what are you doing herey"
"Ah, that's long story! II you"-
"please TO walk In. sir" interrupted
Roe nj this moment "My father de
sires 10 speak with you.
IL have, then. % submit myself To the
approval Of the landlord. =" said ] and
forthwith entered the house followce
by Francis BriArfield
The landlord. Q lean. saturnine man
above the common height, saluted me
with sour smile In appearance and
demeanor he was quite In keeping with
that dryary inn About him lurked .
Puritanic flavor not Ill suited 20 his
somber attire and unctuous spccch. III,
was lee like an innkceper than SNUG
valet mistrusted the man ut first
sight
~ can give you supper and bed.
sir, (" said he. bending his body and rub
hing his hands. neither. regret to say.
Of the first quality"
Never mind" answered, unstrap.
ping my knap-ack. II am too tired and
hungry 90 bo particular.
"we have only lately taken mp this
house. ir." be continued. still bowling.
"and things are Q tride disortlercd. !"
I glanced around Despite the cheer
full blaze Of nre. the room had . mil
dewed look. a. though long uninhabited
Traces of hasty cleansing were visible In
all corners. and In the dim light filtered
through dusty panes the apartment had
= singularly uninviting aspect Again
that premouitiou Of misfortune came
over ma
"I wonder you took mp the house a'
ALL" said L "you won't mako youl
fortune In this locality"
Tho landlord made no reply. but NUT
tering something about supper left th'
room. His daughter had already depart
ell, presumably In the direction OF th'
kitchen. and found myself alone will
Francis Briarfeld He wA absentl,
looking out at the window and startet
when I addressed him directly.
sugured mystery therefrom.
ssyVhat's ths meaning Of these mystic