The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-11-18
ment in thoughtful elaboration, and
then fastened up stairs.

+ leisurily about, chatting and smoking on
the piazza of the Ocean House, watching
the steady stream OF passing carriages,
prominaders and we'll filled hotel stages.
"Therel that's the lady spoke to yon
OF, Michae!son-yonder, in navy blue,
with the dark veil over her face. l
never saw such perfect picture in my
life. and such walk"
Mr.. Merle indicated quite eagerly the
panlon to look.
"She2 Obi think I heard che was q
widow-Mrs. Rye. 1t seems to me I've
seen her several times with Miss Cum
bingham, 80 If you are not fascinated,
Merle, there's your chance. Laura Cum
bingham will introduce you, won't she2"
Harry stroked his moustache reflective
ly.
"Well she may. If she happens to be
in one of her jealous moods, though ="
Michaelson laughed.
Upon my word, Merle, you're too
bad! You, an old married man, wife and
babies snug and happy at home, and 60
ing il SO deep with every pretty face you
fancy"
Henry krocked the slender ashes of
his cigar with scientific precision.
"Not so bad, old fellow. Just remem-
Der it all amounts to nothing, and just
forget that there are wife and babies in
the background
"I'm agreed wouldn't do it
By the bye, yonder comes Miss Cunning
ham Yes, she bowed to and exchanged
a word with Mrs, Ryve. She is grace
full Merle"
Harry answered, enthusiastically:
"Isn't She? l tell you she interests me
amazingly. She was the first lady l met
coming up from the train the day ar
rived, and felt strangely attracted then.
Laura shall introduce me, Or"
"Such an idea, Mrs. Ryvel Why, no
one wears such horrible thick wells as you
do. l am sure there are few faces among
US that would better bear unwilling
such q lovely comPlexionp
Mrs. Ryve lied at Gussie Cunning
hams candid compliment.
bessie" Gussie continued, 1--we heard
how piqued number of gentlemen are
because of that very veil-Mr. Harry
Merle particularly. You know Mr..
Merle, don't yOu?-Laura's admirer-be-
trothed, TOR all l know to the contrary"
A sudden white pallor swept across
Mrs. Ryve's face; but she averted her
head SO suddenly that Gussie did not see
it.
Hes a real handsome, stylish fellow,
we think. There, Mrs. Ryve, have l
succeeded in pinning that spray o. Gle
mats properly? Thank you. Yes, we
like HIM amazingly. Laura seems per.
fectly enraptured with him."
Mrs. Ryve toyed with her gilt-handled
fan.
"And Mr.-Mr. Merle, you said his
name was WAS piqued because l wore
vell?"
Gussie laughed.
$50 Laura said. He wants an intro
ductlon to you. III give 1t, if you say
So"
A little flash of Mrs. Ryve's eyes, then
her answer:
Thank you! No, Miss Cunningham
only came for quiet, habit natural 10
IL. | don't at al! care for society,""
"All right Gussie retui ned, good ha.
turecly. "Although, why you ever cane
10 the Branch tor quiet | can't tell"
Mr.. Merle stood before his little look
ins-glass, carefully arranging his hair
and giving sundry finishing touches to
his immaculate white lawn tie-a hand
some, gay looking fellow, wearing his
thirty-Ave years very lightly, with few
worse faults than considerable vanity and
an Unsuitable thirst for flirting with every
new, pretty face. Not that he didn't
love Florence; dearly and traly be did,.
only it was so good to do little flirting
occasionally.
This time Mrs Ryve was the chief at
traction before whose mysterious grace
even Laura Cunningham paled. Several
attempts at an introduction had failed
each failure but adding renewed zest to
u chase, until in positive despair, Harry
had sent her the most elegant basket OF
flowers, containing tiny mole that told
mis- keen admiration, and begging reply.
And there mad come dainty little
back handed notelet accepting the deli
cate Offering, and assuring Mr., Merle Of
Mrs. Ryve's gratefulIesS and apprecia-
ton.
Then Harry had written again, and in
a weeks time half dozen bouquets had
found their way to the Sevres vase in
Mrs. Ryve's room, and as many ardent
letters to their pace in her portfolio.
But never an interview. With all his
o leading to "look in the face he know was
so sweet and kind"-with all his graceful
cosxing Ito be permitted to touch the
hand that sent such welcome letters"-he
had not been able to obtain even the
promise of an interview, until now, two
hours before the time appointed in an
open letter that lay on his dressing case
a SQUARE sheet of cross barred note paper
bearing several lines OF Mrs. Ryve's odd,
pretty bsckhand.
He had read it rapturously, over and
over; and now, as he looked Impatient y
at his watch, he read it again, and the
half familiarity, half shyness of the Ian
guage delig hted HIM:
DEAR Mr.. MERLE-I have been
thinking perhaps l am cruel in longer
withho ding myself from one who has
been so kind. If you really wish to see
me. and are Wiling to run the risk OF
disappointment when you find / am not
at all the ideal woman you paint me, l
will be at the small summer house oppos-
tie the West End at ten this evening.
If by any possibility others should be in
the vicinity, which think the hope will
preclude, you will know me by toilet OF
white and tulle veile, on my head and
lace and around my neck"
Now it WAS nine, and from his room
Harry heard the nonotonous tuning OF
the band.
She could not have chosen moro au-
soicious time. There are hops at the
United States. Howlsuds land here ut
the Ocean. Every body is sure to be at
one or the other, and l will have de-
hghtful walk with her on the sands; then
there will come few days of rides and