Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-01

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body, and his thin dark face bore ha-
bitual expressions of polite Difference.
It was as if his air apologized for not
already Interpreting your unuttered
wishes. / understood the reason the
next moment
Mr.. Kesteven, turning to me, nodded
ID friendly way toward the man.
ssYou have heard me speak of Hood, .
said he, with a faint smile 'He was
the valet mentioned, whom l lost a
month back A month, isn't it, Hood p
Yes, sir; just month-four weeks
and three days, that is" replied the
man respectfully.
All, indeed; it's wonderful how long
time tarries.' said my host cheerfully.
Business good. Hood? ! hope you are
not losing by the experiment sup
pose" he said. turning to me again.
that it is a trying position to be in a
subordinate state. Every one likes his
independence"
assented conyentionally. and Hood
waited very courteously until | had
made my answer before he took up his
to reply to his former masters Ques-
ton.
81 can't complain, sir" he said.
.sThere's not much traffic in the Gwent,
sir, but do certain business"
.'Ah, l should have thought it wiser
policy to have gone nearer civilization,
Hood Why not have taken a place at
Llanellan?"
A faint but respectful smile lowered
on the mans nervous face Il don't
hold so much with Llanellan, sir. This
is a tidy house, and business will i'm
prove, hope
ssWell, well, let us hope So" was Mr..
Kesteven's answer as his eyes wander
ed toward the inn. "a pretty place,
is it not, Mr.. GreatorexT And. then
with a glance of scrutiny at the land
lord, "You have had an accident
Hood?''
'sYes, SIR" was the answer; "a slight
accident, sir-nothing of consequence.
I fell against the bar yesterday" and
he put a finger apologetically to his
clean shaved lip, which now per-
ceived to be somewhat swollen.
"a nasty fall, nasty fall" said Mr..
Kesteven, shaking his head. at is
lucky it was no worse" He moved
away with a courteous nod of his head,
to which the innkeeper responded with
salute. As he did so he turned and,
taking my arm, smiled back at Hood.
s.You see the Gwent has its visitors
sometimes, Hood. Mr.. Greatorex is
staying with me- So perhaps we may
turn the Woodman in time into fash
ionable resort of society"
He laughed as if at his own small
jest, in which the innkeeper Joined,
and, pressing my arm, walked on. He
seemed very kindly master, l
thought, and 1 had no doubt but that
Hood had been an excellent servant. 1
remarked as much, to which he as
scented cordially.
II have never come upon man who
fell into my ways better and knew his
work more efficiently" he said. San
admirable servant-altogether admira-
Bile"
Our walk had exhilarated me and,
what is more, had given me a huge
appetite. The result was that l ate
heartily of lunch, which was delicately
served by the agreeable old housekeep-
er. Mr.. Kesteyen also seemed to rally
his appetite, for he had eaten but little
the previous evening, and drank a good
deal of brown sherry, in which he jest
ingly invited me to join him. But l
was for the sour or perfumed claret,
which / found much to my palate.
Whether it was the sherry or not, my
hosts tongue piled very continuously
during the meal, but always in the
most possessed and civil manner. He
spoke of his house, of his ancient de-
scent (which was as ancient as the
castle) and finally Of himself. The Kes-
fevens had been people of note in 9TH
er centuries, had boarded gains and
fulfilled the pomp even of courts, had
futtered briefly and very brightly and
In various characters across the stage
Of history. But now they were dwin-
died to this one old feeble man. The
race had lost its physical vigor From
contrasting tournaments, fighting bat
Ties and intriguing against courts it
had come to philosophizing over life
between four walls. And then, falling
silent for a time, he inspected his fin
ger nails and suddenly and after a
space rose and pushed back his chair.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Greatorex,"
he said, with a gesture of apology. I
had not noticed you have not finished.
Pray forgive my discourtesy.'
OF course I put myself at his dispos-
al, for, in truth, had eaten and drunk
quite enough. But, seeming not to
hear me, he looked upon the table, and
at last, raising his eyes to mine and
playing gently, but scarcely in nerv-
Gus fashion, with the forks before him,
he said very quietly:
Il have had the honor of your ac-
auainfance for some twenty hours, Mr..
Greatorex. It is little two men may
know of each other in so brief a time.
p45+ am wont to take quick cOgni-