The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-06-30
APASSISG SHADOW.

a. " 'SN'N'
Its of no use, Car. 70 rain like
this-to day, too, when Lawrenc"
promised To come over from Kingston.
you will forget the rain, il you Will
only let me read YOU the first chapter;
its splendid, Miss Maude,' persisted
Carroll, opening the brown volume.
Miss Thornton stopped her with u
gesture.
Ring for my cloak and shoes, Car; !
am going down to the lodge to see nur-
sic"
Miss Maudel'
Miss Maude had turned to the window
and was impetuously tapping the pane.
She was still Young, with a proud fire
in her face and shining through her
dark eyes, which was more bcwitching
than her beauty. Tall and ksleight,
Mau lie had inherited IA rare grace of
from her mother. That
mother twenty-four years ago had mar
ricd the old squire for his money. They
were both dead now, lying together I'M
der the gray stones of the chancel pave
mcnts, and Maudc was their hclress.
She lived in the big house with an old
half witted aunt and her companion.
1t was only temporary arrangement
Maude was engaged 10 be married to
her cousin, dashing young Officer
whose regiment was then stationed n
Kingston. She was very proud OF him.
and loved him all the better for his pov
ertv; for hers was II nature that felt al
most too keenly the joy OF giving.
Lawrence was well pleased of course
to have the love of the heires. and to
excite the envy of all the other fellows
who didn't see "what Maude Thornton
liked in her ycllow-h haired cousin
Maudc had rebelled iercely at his
manner lately. 1t was too courteous, toe
reserved tor devoted lover, she inward
~ decided; and it was this perhaps that
upon that WEEKDAY made her so dlScon'
tented amid all the splendor OF the
Thornton drawing room.
After a few sharp words Maude OBJ
tanned cloak and shoes, and went out in
to the rain ut was coming down more
licrcclv than ever on the dunk leave.
and the soft gravel; but he FASTENED on
ward bravcly enough, down the path and
across the bridge, striking away from thu
main avenue to save time.
Passing Thornton grounds from the
Rcctory garden was high thick fence
ot laurel, which ran for Il few hundred
wards in almost straight line. a new
thought struck Maudc's hayward mind
"a she reached the fence; she would z.
and see Polly, the rector's little daugh
tiers, whom Maude patronised very
gracefully.
A. she stood for a moment by the
fence, undecided, low voice, tremulou,
with pain, reached her from the other
side
"Poor little Polly! 1t is cruel that
fate should part two such loving hearts.
1t was Lawrence Gary who spoke
Than came Polly, soft response:
"Ncver mind, Heaven will help Us
Captain Gary
@May 1t help you to be patient, dear!
Maude heard no more; she hasteneC
away, likca guilty thing, back acros:
the bridge, her breath coming in gasps
the fever-fush of pain on her cheeks.
Carroll met her in the hall, mildly re
proachiul.
You'll fall INTO consumption ano
die. Miss Maude, and then what vii
Captain Gary do? I'd sooner have t
tame elephant to keep in health"
Miss Thornton threw off her cloal
with little bitter laugh.
"Don be cross. Car. was grra
fool to 90 ont, l know. I'll go nn,
dress for dinner, and You can read tina
book. ii you like, dear
She FASTENED up stair. to her room
and rang tor her maid.
II will wear my new dress tonight
Mary; and do my hair in coils, please.
Maudc smiled, and seated herself b.
the hearth, the freight playing on he
proud, quecnly face, and on her luNur
iaut hair. She sat there, silent an
thoughtful, playing with picture
lirr-Srrccn, each movement OF her whit
hand causing the rings on her fingers t
flash brightly.
Captain Gary cried Carroll, at tn
sound of wheels on the drive.
Maude'S color rose little higher bu
she did not speak, not even when Car
roll said something about booI
and left the room.
lie came i'm unanuounccd-a man o
twenty-five, yellow-haired, handsome
man an woman with unclaimed hear
might have loved
Mnudc held out her hand with
laugh.
Il didn't expect You tonight, Law
renee
He took it gravcly, but did rot al
tempt to kiss her. There was somctin
IN her proud face which checked him.
What drcary day, ism it?'Shc said
in her SoftcSt tones, ch>pin!
her hands together lest he should Sc
them trcmblc, and looking NJ him he
wutr lips dropping little.
How beautiful >hr WAS, the soldier
face flushed II little with pride n h
looked at this qucenly girl-hi> promised
Wife.
1t is rather damp, my darling h
returned, gayly.
one plaNcd WIFI the rings OH HHS'TS
loo>enlng one, bright cluster of dia
monds, and half drawing it oil
This old house is dreadtully dull.
am utterly miserable here utterly miscr
able,
MsudeN her lover cried. in grave re
proach.
Her eyes flashed as she looked up al
him proudly.
Don't you think it must be dull
with two old maids for my compan-
ions
He bent over her eagerly.
at must be- dull, dear, | know. Don t
spend the Winter here. Let it form
our honeymoon, passed in sunny Italy,
my darling.