The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-04-21
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
lne distance from Mon Repos to
Goucy was about three miles by the
road, but Monsieur Leduc conducted
Arthur by series of paths through
the forest which were bewildering
enough. The paths were very rough;
the forest was dense enough to make
it difficult to see the rude track.
They walked fast and reached
Goucy before the landlady of la
Pie Blanche" had shut up her shut
tiers. They were too late for the
table d'hote, but dined together in
the general dining-room very COM
fortably.
Monsieur Leduc introduced Arthur
to his landlady as ledger for the
night, and probably tenant for the
apartment he was about to vacate
on the morrow. The rooms were COM
Portable and clean, their price mod
crate, and matters we're speedily ar
ranged.
AS soon as that was settled Arthur
went out and asked his way to the
Poste Restante, whence he expected
to find home-letter He was not
disappointed, for he found one in
Tola's characteristic handwriting,
much to his pleasure; for his mind
had been so absorbed in the affairs
of the strange family with whom he
had become so rapidly intimate, that
it seemed to him as if it must be
years since he had left home and all
the familiar faces and influences of
his former life.
Dearest Arthur" wrote lola,
you have been gone for such short
time that you cannot expect any very
great news. We are much as usual,
only more so, for Janet and her
attendant swain have gone to the
Marsdens'. Papa is not at all well,
and talks of seeing the doctor.
wish he would. But / must tell you
something that will amuse you. /
fancy that Reggie has met his fate!
At all events, it looks like it. The
lady is widow, and she has come
to stay at Grimwood for week. She
is what would be called a fine wo-
man; broad, large, redolent of patch
ouli. She is very handsome, and,
think, very stupid; but good-natured,
and kind, and soft. Don't you know
the sort of individual 1 mean? And
she has two thousand year. She
rejoices in the name of Grimes
Maria Grimes-and she is about five
years older than Reggie. N'importe!
He thinks her the most perfect of
beings, genuinely, / do believe. He
met her at dinner, and took her in
the first day she came. The second
day they met at church, and he
walked home with her. The third
day he prowled miserably about the
house-that is to-day. Tomorrow
l hear something about ruins, and a
party to see them.
'She has asked me to call her
Maria already, which is decidedly
premature; but she is good crea-
ture, and said would Aunt Betsy
has sent some charming additions to
Janet's trousseau, and she writes that
Colonel Curtis has given her some
diamonds, which enchant her, as you
may imagine. / must not write any
more, for hear my everlasting name
resounding through the house, and
must go on to see which of the in
numerables are in want of me.
Your loving
''TOLA."
Arthur was still sitting, smiling
over Tola's letter, when there came
a knock at the door, and without
waiting for an answer, Paul Leduc
came in.
1T is nearly eleven" he said, land
am going to bed; but l thought ]
would give you friendly word of
advice first. Follow my example and
lock your door. There are great
many other gentlemen in the house,
and one of them, / am sorry to say,
sometimes comes in the worse for
drink. See, that is his door," point
ing to the one next to Arthur's on
the farther side. 1T has happened
to me more than once that he has
mistaken my door for his and walked
in most unceremoniously; so locked
mine afterward. Knowing this, you
will not be disturbed by the sound
of moving about in the night. But
stay, perhaps you are very sound
sleeper?"
II certainly shall be so tonight,
said Arthur. yawning, Il am sleepy
already. Thank you for your adj
vice"
Good night. my friend, Bonnie
mutt" said Paul, as he left the room
shutting the door quietly behind
him.
Arthur sat up till midnight, in
tending to write letters, but hi
pen did not go fast. When the clocl
struck twelve Arthur found that h,
had hardly got beyond the date o
his letter to Tola, so he tore up tn,
sheet of paper, determining to post
pone it till the next day, and go
into bed.
But the hours passed by ;tnd h
could not sleep.
The clock struck three. He IL;
his uneasy bed and went to the win
dow, It was a bright moonligh
morning, not living creature was t
be seen save solitary cat noiselessl.
gliding along from shadow to shad
ow. Arthur was parched with thirst
and there was no water in his caraffe
He thought that a refreshing draugh
of cold water would enable him to g,
to sleep, and with the intention o