one in the whole world like her.

Then they came to the hotel, the Evarts House. It was rather
pretentious, well built, with great columns in front supporting double
verandas. It was also well lighted. It was evidently far above the usual
order of a road house. Doctor Gordon entered, with James at his heels.
They went into the great low room at the right of the door, which was
the bar-room. Behind the bar stood an enormous man, yellow haired and
yellow bearded, dispensing drinks. The whole low interior was dim with
tobacco smoke, and scented with various liquors and spices. There was on
one side a great fireplace, in which stood earthen pitchers, in which
cider was being mulled with red-hot pokers, eager vinous faces watching.
Nobody was intoxicated, but there was a general hum of hilarity and
gusto of life about the place, an animal enjoyment of good cheer and
jollity. It was in truth not respectable to get entirely drunk in Alton.
It was genteel to become "set up," exhilarated, but the real gutter form
of inebriety was frowned upon to a much greater extent than in many
places where there was less license.

"Hullo!" sang out Doctor Gordon as he entered. Immediately a grin of
comradeship overspread the pink face of the yellow-haired giant behind
the bar. "Hullo!" he responded. "Just step into the other room, and I'll
be there right away."

James followed Doctor Gordon into what was evidently the state parlor of
the hotel. There was haircloth furniture, and a mahogany table, with
various stains of conviviality upon its polished surface. There was a
fire on the hearth, and on the mantel stood some gilded vases and a
glass case of wax-flowers, also a stuffed canary under a glass shade,
pathetic on his little twig. Doctor Gordon pointed to the flowers and