The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-14
HALLIE'S JOKE.
baltimore Sunday Telegram.

Baltimore Sunday Telegram.
Halle Hunter was pretty-a belle, and
Just eighteen years old. She was one
of those young ladies, 30 often seen, who
are OF no practical use to any one, but
seem created to tease, torment, be ad.
mired and adorn the parlor.
! "Hallie was engaged IN the somewhat
novel employment TO her of thinking
She was very comfortably seated in q
rocking chair, with loose wrapper and
hair IN crimping pins, her usual morn.
ing attire. In her lap and scattered
around the floor IN profusion were many
periodicals and illustrated romances OF
the day.
The fact was she had been reading
"leap year stories," and she was deeply
engaged now in Matching up a plan by
which she could perPetrate a leap year
joke which would be more brilliant and
startling than any she had read about.
Someway Hsllie's thoughts were slow
in maturing, and she rejected each plan
that presented itself as impractIcable
She was just wishing that she was q spir-
itualist, that she might have an impress.
sion, or fall in trance and dream it out,
when the door opened and lady walk
ed in.
A fresh, fair face, no longer young, but
indescribably lovely-the face was some
thing like Hallie's, though more marked
and decided, with ar inward grace, a
look of truth, which HallIe's would
never wear; this was Miss Harriet Hun
ter, Hallies aunt, the one from whom
she took her name, but not liking the old
fashioned name OF Harriet, she had re-
chiistened herself Halle.
Harriet Hunter had never been mar
ried, but at the age of thirty she was
loveiy--a specimen of perfect woman
hood. Why she had never been married
even her most intimate friends did not
know. All the definite information that
could be- gained was that, as girl she
had been gay and devoted to society, but
that, after q few years passed abroad, she
had returned home changed from gay
ard careless girl into quiet, subdued
woman, living with and caring for her
aged mother, receiving no visits except
from relatives.
She had the respect Of all who knew
her, save her mischievous niece Halle,
who looked on her only as on old maid
aunt, and capital subject for playing of
her jokes on.
When her aunt came in, fresh from the
morning air, the picture of neatness and
good taste, Halle, instead Of being
ashamed of her own negligence, seemed
OVERLOOKING with mirth, and, during her
aunt's short stay, smile after smile chased
each other over her dimpled cheeks.
Poor Harriet Hunter felt little un-
comfortable over this apparently unpro-
voked gaity of her niece, and even after
she had passed into the street, she care
fully examined her clothing to see if
Halle had not fastened something to her,
or played some prank TO make her look
ridiculous: but everything seemed all
right, and she walked on with little
sigh, thinking of the time when she was
as young and gay as Halle.
She turned the corner of the street
which led to her home suddenly, and
came in direct collision with = gentle.
man coming from an opposite direction.
A moment OF embarrassment in which
both endeavered to recover themselves,
then the gentleman gracefully lifts his
hat and says: Il beg your pardon,
madame"
1t was familiar voice, and all the color
in her peach.like face fled, leaving even
her lips wbitened and strained.
A curious look of mingled regret and
pain comes into his sapphire eyes, as he
looks at her standing thus. Both seem
about to speak, they turn slowly away
Harriet Hunter feels binding, dizzy
nam at her heart rs she almost staggers
homeward.
Two years ago this man, Gerald Al
ston, whom she had just met by chance,
was her affianced husband. Under the
sunny skies of Italy they had plighted
their vows, and he had given her ring,
n hoop of gold surmounted by Tiny for
get me-not of diamonds and sapphires-
the latter she laughingly told him was
lust the color of her eyes.
In her box Of treasures, now carefully
locked from prying eyes, she had worn
so long ago reposed on its velvet bed
When she had decided to cast his love
from out her hesIL she put away all that
would remind her of him.
Miss Hunter had many admirers while
in Rome besides Aston. A prominent
one was Count Malio, who seemed great
ly enamored with this American girl.
She refused HIM, bnt still he followed IN
her train.
One day he asked her csrele;sly why
she permitted 80 much attention from
Aston.
She proudly replied: "Why not; he
is my fanee."
because" he answered, in the slow
wsy which he articulsted English, "he
already have one wife, q secret one, IN
cottage on the suburbs of the city-s
pretty, black-eyed lady. I'll show you
her sometime"
OF course Harriet Indignantly refused
TO believe this infamous story. Yet the
Counts narration was . plausible one
and he added much to It, adducing
chain Of circumstances which seemed Il
show that he told the truth.
For several days she did not see Aston
and she spoke of his absence to tn
| Enunt