Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-05-06

NAAO4&R C4ud1Ac Va EAA0Ng ~~~D1 49, ~
serted length Of Adelaide Road. AS he
approached tie villa where he lived
White-Rose Cottage ii was called
sunk, buried, wrapped In white snow,
like a nest in cotton wool, ne was
aware OF some one coming to meet
bin from Primrose Hill. He looked
steadily in the mans face, since he
evidently intended 10 address him.
doubling as 10 what his purpose might
be this lonely, snowy night, and he
was greatly surprised when he heard
said in Dutch:
Pardon the Intrusion. Are You not
Dir. WcSthove?r
9Yes." replied Frank WesthoVe.
who are you? what do you want2"
II am Robert van Maeren. You may
perhaps remember"
WHAT you. Bertie?" cried Frank.
How came you here in Londony'
And In his anlazement there ross up
before him, through the driving snow,
Il vision of his youth; q pleasing pic
ture Of boyish friendship, Of something
young and warm.
"Not altogether by chance" said the
other, whose voice had taken a some
what more confident tone at the sound
Of the familiar BERTHE" "I knew that
you lived here, and I have been TO
your door three times: but you had not
come In. Your maid said that you
were expected at home this evening.
so i made so bold as to wait here for
you" And again his voice lost its
frmness and assumed the impioring
accent of a beggar.
lis your business 70 urgent. then
asked Frank in surprise.
Yes. l want-perhaps you could
help me. L know no a here
Where are you Iivng?"
Nowhere. I only arrived here early
this morning. and haye-I have no
money"
He was shiyering from standing In
the cold during this short dialogue and
seemed to shrink into himself, almost
fawning. uke a cowed dog.
Gene In with me-" said Frank,
greatly astonished, but full OF syrnpa-
thy and Of the affectionate reminis-
cences OF his boyh0od. 'Cone and
spend the night with me"
"0h. giadlyf' was the reply, eager
and tremulous as IL he feared that the
heaven-inspired words might be re-
tractei.
They went together a few steps fur
Their; then Frank took u key out of bis
pocket, the key OF White-Rose Cottage.
He opened the door; a hexagonal Moor
fish lantern was burning low, and shed
a soft light ia the hall
go in" said Frank And he locked
the door and b0lted ii behind them.
IL was half twelve.
The maid had not yet gone to bed.
THAT gentleman called here "A little
while ago. two or three times" she
murmured. with a look Of suspicion at
BERTHE. And I have seen him hang
ing about all the evening. as If lie was
on the watch. | was frightened, do
you know: ii Is SO lonely ia these
parts"
Frank shook his head reassuringiy.
Make the fire up a. quickly as pos
sible, Annie. liz your husband stu
upy'
The fire. SIR"
Yes Bertie. viii you have some
thing to eatI"
Gladly, Ii 1t gives yoe no trouble"
replied BERTHE, In English. for the ben
eft OF the maid, and he looked with an
insinuating expression TO meet the sur
prised, cold blue eyes OF the neat, brisk
young woman. His voice was persua-
siye and low; he tried TO take as little
room as possible In the small hall; and,
10 avoid her gaze, he seemed to shrink,
70 efface himself in a corner where the
shadow fell
Frank led the way into a large back
room, cold. dark when they entered.
but o lighted up. and before loGg
genially warmed by the huge ire
which blazed up in the CRATE. Annie
laid the table.
Supper for one. sir"
Lay for two; l viii eat something
said Frank. thinking that BERTHE
would feel more at ease.
At his friends invitation the visitor
seated himself in a large armchair by
the fire, and there he sat, bolt upright.
without speaking. feeling shy before
the woman. who came and vent. And
now. In the light, Frank could see the
poverty OF his a-ppearancei his thin,
shabby coat, shining with grease and
bereft OF buttons: hts worn. fringed
trousers; his dirty comforter. hiding n
lack OF underlinen; his ripped and slip
sh0d shoes. In his confusion and
awkwardness he still held his battered
hat. This garb accorded ia with the
aristocratic elegance of his figure; the
thin, pale. chiseled features. full OF dis
tinction In spite of the unkeInpt ligh,
hair and unshaven stubbk Of beard
1t was like "A masquerade or rank and
culture in the rags of misery. beseem-
fng Ii as Ill as an ur litable part In 4
play. And the actor sat motionless
staring into the fire, In at ease IN the
atmosphere of luxury which surround
ed him In this room, evidently the
home OF g. young man OF fortune, who
had no warnings for domestic society
: The curtains and carpets were Of hand
some quality. SO were the furniture and
ornaments, but arranged without an,
reference TO comfort; the chairs ana
tables against the wall. stf and order
~, and shining with polish. But 1t die
not make this impression on BERTHE, fol
a sense of the blessedness OF wareit,
and shelter possessed him wholly: O
peace r. reprieye, as calm as a lax,
and az delightful as an oasls-a smil
< Ing prospect after the snow and col,
Of the last few hours And when b,
\ saw that Frank was gazing at him II
Visible wonder at his m~otioniess atti
tude by the glorious fire. where th,
dancing flames few up like yellow
dragons tongues. at last ne smiled, an,
M uufd Nth htrrn1Io wrotxk.an A. A. 49,