The Price He Paid — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

6 A DARK SPOT. be enjoyed, two gentlemen were pacing, talking as they walked. The elder of the two was a man of, it might be, about fifty years; but old age seemed to have come upon him prematurely, for his form was bent and his hair as gray asit could well be. The deeply furrowed face, too, bore evidence of by-gone strug- oles, perhaps of sorrows and sufferings of many kinds endured in the past, and the sharp, bitter lines about the mouth gave a harsh and almost hos- tile expression toa countenance which must once have been bright with ardor and intelligence. In the eye alone there still blazed a fire which neither years nor the hard experiences of life had had power to quench, and which was in singular con- trast with the silvered head and drooping carriage. His companion was much younger; aman slender of build and of average height, with features which, though not strictly regular, were yet in the high- est degree attractive, and grave, earnest blue eyes. His light chestnut hair waved over a fine open fore- head. There was that slight paleness of complex- ion which tells not of sickliness, but of keen intellec- tual activity and a constant mental strain; and the predominant expression was one of quiet steadfast- ness, such asis but rarely stamped on a face at seven or eight and twenty. There could hardly be a sharper contrast than that afforded by these two men. “So you are really going to leave us already, George?” asked the elder, in a regretful tone. The young man smiled. “Already? I think I have made claim enough on your hospitality, doctor. WhenI came, I had no intention of staying on for weeks; but you re- ceived me with such hearty kindness, I might have been some near and dear relation, instead of a stranger who could only boast a college friendship with your son. I shall never forget——” “Pray do not thank me for that which has been a pleasure to myself,” the doctor interrupted him, “T only fear that at home you may have to pay a penalty for the hospitality you here have enjoyed. EOmichboo “S (E()