The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-12-29

paper and her husband. thought her
mind was wandering. Now that ! recall
her broken words, | feel sure she had this
on her mind-that she telt she had done
wrong about this will Of hOrs, leaving
everything to me. l reCOllect her saying
one day-long ago, when she was in
health-that Mr.. Barker had been such a
good husband 10 her, and that she would
take care TO carry out his wishes in every
thing, whatever il cost her. | know she
disliked his relations, remember hear.
ing her speak Of One-l think it must
have been the very Minor FortesCue, but
| had forgotten his name'--
"Well, Priscilla, interrupted Mr.. Dixon,
uncomtortably-he did not like all these
inCOnVenient "reminiscences, and hoped
she would in future keep them to herself
"well-hOwGver it was, the money has
been fairly and legally left to you, and no
one can dispute that now"
ut has not been fairly left to me-"
"Oh, nonsense My dear Priscilla, you
mustn't worry yourself with these NOR
bid scruples."
She looked at him half sadly.
"Robert, | thought you would assist
me-"
assist your he said eagerly. "Of
course I'll assist you. Priscilla, my dear
Priscilla, you know what I've offered you.
You'll give me your answer now. You'll
agree 10 marry mG-thG sooner the better.
And then I'll take the whole manage.
ment Of the business, and you shall have
no more trouble and worry. Come now
let us fix the day ut once. I'm dying to
have you back ut Elm Grove. Once you
are there with me, everything will be
right"
II she had not been quite sure before
about his having my real affection for
her, she could not doubt it now. Ills
anxiety, his eaTnGstnCss, made his strong
voice tremblG and his eyes moistcn. For
o moment she was shaken, and her con.
sent was very nearly won How could
she bear to refuse him? Her heart longed
for the rest and peace Of sure home
and surely she could trust to his love for
her now.
"You'll agree, Priscilla; you'll let me
arrange everything, Say you agree" lie
tried TO take her hand, looking anXiously, |
and as imploringly rs he could, in her face
such u look us she wOnld once have died
for. Now, alter that moments hesitation,
she turned away from him, shaking her
head but her voice trGmblCd too, and
there were tears in her eyes as she said
'No, Robert; this isn't the sort OF help |
mean. Don't you seeY OF course ought |
to give up this money"
"Givo II up! Good heavens Priscilla,
you will not DO so mad !"
"Madl Why, its only right | should. |
| sec now that Mrs. Barker must have
her mind ut last; only il was too
Iatc 10 change her will. don't know
what made her make II, but I'm sure she |
rGpcnted it. If shG could, she would have
lone as her husband wanted; I'm sure of
that, and 50 | can't cant keep this
Then she burst into tears; she
could not help ii. 1t seemed 50 hard, to
nave TO go back again to her old hard,
md life.
"PrIscilIa, Priscilla" said Mr. Dixon
lOarsCly, between his fear and his rage,
you don't know what you're saying
AYES, lido; I've thought of II Nlln
"But listen to nc, for Heavens sake.
The money is yours no one can take II
rom you. Ask Mr.. Finch
"Mr Finch has told mo SO already. But
hats not what | want. Oh how could
be so dishOnorablC MS TO keep ii, when
inOw quite well" - She could not
Jay more, and II she could have spoken,
Mr. Dixon would have been in no humOr
o listen. lie was pouring out arguments,
'emonstrAnCcs, and in his Impotence,
wen snrCasms on her folly. Somehow,
hGse did not wound her; she heard them
With IL sort Of stony Indifference. Yet
hero WINS u deep, vague painat her heart,
leeper even than the sorrow she felt at
he thought Of the trouble that was before
Ter. She was feeling how utterly she had
JeGn mistaken in this mans character
low vain It was TO look for any sympathy
md real help from him; and II not from
lin, from whom else could she expect III
"RObcrt. it's no use," she said at last,
Yearly "rvC made pmy mind. lshall
ell Mr.. Finch so tomorrow"
"And do you expect me to offer to mar.
Y you still, when you choose to act In
lis mad way, and fling away forty thou.
and pounds rs II 1t was 80 much dirt y
lie WINS beside himself now with pas.
ion. She shivered n little, and flushed
lnder tho insult of tho coarse, angry
pecCh. But she replied calmly and, Tor
,nCe in her life, almost haughtily: ~ do
rot intend that you should marry me-"
"PrisCilla," he said with real feeling and
With touch OF shame md remOrse, lyon
Inow don't mean that; but you will
lrive INC crazy"
1--WE will soy no more about II. am
ired | cant talk more. Goodbye,
Robert" .. ......
II won't leave you" lie said, sill angri.
y, but trying now to keep his composurc,
until I've persuaded YOU out OF this folly"
"YOu can't persuade mo out OF ik' and
he spoke with calm, weary Indifference
which made him feel how little she heed
ID his words. "Goodbye. Don't Let me
letain YOU longer here. I'm not able to
ak 10 you more, and you'll excuse my
eaving you"
And she left him. When she was gone,
no worldly, hard, selfish man sat down
md actually cried over his vGxatlon; and
hey were not tears no need have been al.
ogcthor ashamed Of; for he was feeling
lot only that he had lost the chance Of
Drty. thousand pounds, but that something
10 had begun to value nearly as much,
( not more, was lost too. Why
lad he waited so longH Why hadlo not
married. Priscilla befOreP Why was she
lot his wife now, fortune or no fortuneH
TO m CONTINUED.
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