Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-01-14
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view of the town and It's cnvirons.
Before they had risen to proceed two
men passed by engaged In nrgumentative
"Why, surely" said Elizabeth Jane, as
they receded, chose men mentioned the
name of Henchard In their talk-the name
Of our rclativew
II thought so, too" said Mrs. Newson.
THAT seems hint to us that he Is still
here"
EYES,"
"shall I run after them and ask them
about him"
mo, no no! Not for the world just yet.
He may be In the workhouse or In the
stocks for oil we know"
"Dcar newly should you think that,
mother?"
""Twas Just something to say--thats
all. But we must make private inquiries"
Having sufficiently rested, they pro.
ceeded on their way. The travellers wan
dercd down the High street, where there
were timber houses with overhanging
stories, whose small.paned lattices were
screened by dimity curtains on drawing
string, and under whose barge.boards old
cobwcbs waved In the breeze.
They came to grixxled church, whose
massive square tower rose unbroken into
the darkening sky, the lower parts being
illuminated by the nearest lamps sum
GENTLY to show how completely the NOR.
tar from the joints Of the stonework had
been nibblcd out by time and weather,
which had planted In the crevices thus
made little tufts Of stone-crop and grass
almost a. far up as the very battlemcnts.
From this tower the clock struck eight,
and thereupon bell began to toll with q
peremptory clang. The curfew was still
rung In Casterbridge. and It was utilized
by the inhabitants as q signal for shut
ting their shops. No sooner did the deep
notes Of the bell throb between the house.
fronts than clattcr Of shutters arose
through the whole length Of the High
street. In few minutes business at Gus.
terbridge was ended for the day.
A few score yards brought mother and
daughter to the spot, where the town band
was now shaking the window panes with
the strains Of "The Roast Beef Of Old
England"
The building before whose doors they
had pitched their music stands was the
chief hotel In Overwhelmingly The
Golden Crown. A spacious bow.window
projected into the street over the main
portico, and from the open sashes came
the babble Of voices. the Jingle Of glasses,
and the popping Of corks. The blinds.
moreover, being left Enclosed, the whole
interior Of this room could be surveyed
from the top Of flight Of steps opposite.
for which reason o knot Of idlers had
gathered there.
I'VE might, perhaps, after oil, make
few inquiries about-our relation, Mr..
Henchard," whispered Mrs. Ncwson, who,
since her entry into Casterbridge, had
seemed strangely weak and agltatcd.
"And this, I think, would be good place
for trying it-just to ask. you know, how
he stands In the town-if he Is here, as
think he must DO. You. Elizabeth Jane.
had better be the one to do It. I'm too
worn out to do anything-pull down your
veil first." She sat down upon the lowest
step, and Elizabeth Jane Obcycd her di.
rcctions and stood among the oilers.
"What's going on t0-night?" asked the
girl, after singing out an old man, and
standing by him long enough to acquire q
neighbOrly right Of converse.
"Well, ye must be stranger sure" said
tho old man, without taking his eyes from
the window; ''why, tits q great public
dinner Of tho gcntlc.pe0ple and such. ike
leading folk-wr the Mayor In the chair,
II you mount the steps you can SEQ 'em.
That's Mr.. Hcnchard. the Mayor, ut the
end Of the table, a-facing ye; and that's
the c0uncilmen right and left"
"IIcnchard?" said Elizabeth Jane, sur.
prised, but by no means suspecting the
whole force OF the revelation. She as.
cendcd among the other persons to the
space ut the top Of the steps.
Her mother. though her head was bow.
cd, had already caught from tho window
tones that strangely rivetcd her atten.
ton before tho old mans words, Mr..
Henchard, the Mayor" reached her ears.
She arose and ascended In her daughter's
rear % soon % she could do 90 without
showing exceptional cagcrness.
The interior Of the hotel dining room
was spread out before her. with it, tables,
and glass and plate, and inmates. Facing
tho window, In tho chair OF dignity, sat a
man approaching forty years Of age; of
heavy frame. large features and com.
manding voice; his general build being
rather coarse than compact. He had a
rich complexion. which vorgcd on swarthi.
ness, a flashing black eye and. dark, bushy
brows and hair. When he INDUCED In an
occasional loud laugh at some remark
among the guests his large mouth parted
30 far back as to show to the rays Of the
chandelier full score or more Of the two.
and thirty sound white teeth that no OBJ
yiously still could boast of.
Susan Henchard's husband--In law, at
lcast-sat before them, matured In shape,
stiffened In line, exaggerated In traits;
disciplined. th0ught.markcd-in word,
older. Elizabeth. encountered with no
recOllections, regarded him with nothing
NOSE than the keen curiosity aud interest
which tho discovery OF such unexpected
social standing In the lOng-sOught relative
naturally begOt. He was dressed In IN
0ld.fashi0ned evening suit, IN expanse' OF
frillcd shirt showing on his broad breast
jcweled studs, and heavy gold chain,
Three glasses stood at his right hand; but
to his wife's surprise. the two for wine
were empty. while the third, tumbler
was half full Of water.
When last she had seen him he was sit.
ting In a light fustian jacket. corduroy
waistcOat and brooches and tanned leath'
or leggins. with basin Of hot furmity
before him. Time, the magician. had
wrought much here. Watching him, and
thus thinking Of past days. she became
SO moved that she shrank back against
the jamb Of the deep doorway to which
the steps gave access. the shadow from
It conveniently hiding her features. She
forgot her daughter till touch from
Elizabeth Jane aroused her. "Have you
seen him. mothery' whispered the girl.
Eyes, yes" answered her companion