The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-05-18
i, -..--..a;. .ho 1ova-,stter there was

letter, and in the love-letter there was
an imperative demand for reply.
What was she to dot To have recourse
TO Priscilla for advice was her first idea;
but SIZE herself believed that she owed a
debt of gratitude to her aunt, which
Priscilla would not take into account,
the existence of which Priscilla wonld
by no means admit. She knew Priseilla's
mind in this matter, and was sure that
Priscilla's advice, whatever it might be,
would be given witheHt any regard to
her aunt's views. And then Dorothy
was altogether ignorant of her aunt's
views. Her aunt had been very anxious
that she should marry Mr.. Gibson, but
had clearly never admitted into her
mind the idea.that she might possibly
marry Brooke Burgess; and it seemed to
her that she herself would be dishonest,
both to her aunt and to her lover, II
she were to bind this man to herself
without her aunts knowledge. DE was
to be her aunt's heir, and she was MAIN
tanned by her aunt's liberality! Ihlnk.
ing of all this, she at last resolved thaI
she would take the bull by the horns'
and tell her aunt. She felt that tue
task would be one almost beyond her
strength. Thrice she went into her
aunt's room, intending 10 make cream
breast, and thrice her courage talled
her. she left the room with her tale un-
told, excusing herself on various pre-
texts. Her aunt had seemed to be not
unite so we'll, or had declared herself to
be tired, or had been little cross; or
else Martha had come in at the NICK OF
time. But there was Brooke Burgesss
letter unanswered letter that was
read night and morning, and which was
never for an instant out of her mlnd.
He had demanded reply, and he had
right at least to that. The letter had
been with her for four entire days before
she had ventured to speak to her aunt on
the subject.
On the first of March, Miss Stanbury
came out of her bedroom for the first
time. Dorothy, on the previous day,
had decided on postponing her commu-
nication for this occasion; but, when she
found herself sitting in the little sitting
room up stairs close at her aunt's elbow,
and perceived the signs of weakness
which the new move had made con-
spicuous, and heard the invalid declare
that the little journey had been almost
too much fer her, her heart misgave her.
She ought to have told her tale while
her aunt was still in bed. But present.
ly there came a question, which put her
into such flutter that she was for the
time devoid of all resolution. HAS
Brooke written I" said Miss Stanbury.
"Yes,-aunt; he has written"
"And what did he say 7" Dorothy was
struck quite dumb. "Is there anything
wrongT And now, as Miss Stanbury
asked the question, she seemed herself
to have forgotten that she had two min
utes before declared herself to be almost
too feeble to speak. "Pm sure there is
something wrong. What is itf will
know"
"There is nothing wrong, Aunt Stan
bury
"Where is the letter Let me see it,"
81 mean there is nothing wrong about
him"
What is it thenf"
"He is quite we'll, Aunt Stanbury."
"Show me the letter. ! will see the
letter. know that there is something
the matter. Do you mean to say you
won't show HE BrOOke's letter ~
There was moments pause before
Dorothy answered. II will show you
his letter, though am sure he didn't
mean that should show it to any one"
"He hasn't written evil of me ~
"No, no, no. He would sooner cut his
hand off than say word bad of you.
He never says or writes anything bad of
anybody. But o aunt! Pll tell you
everything. should have told you be-
fore, only that you were ill.,"
Then Miss Stanbury was frightened.
what is :" she said, hoarsely, clasp
ing the arms of the great chair, each
with thin, shrivelled hand.
"Aunt Stanbury, ke,-Brooke,-
wants me to be his-wifew
"What ~
"You cannot be more surprised than l
have been, Aunt Stanbury; and there has
been no fault of mine"
81 don't believe it" said the old wO-
man.
"Now you may read the letter." said
Dorothy, standing up. She was quite
prepared to be obedient, but she felt that
her aunt'5 manner or receiving the IN
formation was almost an insult.
Ale must be a fool said Miss Stan
bury.
To he Continued