The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-30
LEONIE.

| ed pair of soft dark eyes to Mrs. Toll
mans face.
.What is the matter?"
An awkward pause followed this ques-
ton.
Mrs. Tollman fidgeted under the in.
curing glance of the dark epes, cleared
her throat twice, ard finally said, with
nervous emphasis
"John Furber."
Miss Cameron's face seemed to freeze
| 1t was beautiful face, with pride for a
leading expression.
There Mrs. Tollman said despair
ingly. 81 made you mad already, and
! haven't said anything"
II am not mad" LeOnie answered, and
there certainly lurked II smile in her
mouth at the good womsn's consterna-
ton; but you have not told me what
troubles you"
"Its-it's-John, Miss Cameron; and
he's my nephew, Miss, rs you know,
though his father is u rich man, very
rich ard John is above his mothers place
in her life. She's dead, and John was
spoiled somewhere between the year she
died and two years ago. l don't know
where, but he took TO bad ways; he WAS
brought up an idler upon his fathers
money. and from idleneSs to drinking,
gambling and bad ways Is an easy road.
His father is hard man, and he thrust
HIM ont year ago disinherited him.
He came here, for | love him; I've moth
ing else to love-husbsnd and children
in the graveyard, so | love John"
There was piteous pleading in the
woman's face but Leonics was blanL.
save in An air of polite interest.
"IIe was more desperate when he came
here, but I've coaxed him up little
But -but-Oh, Miss Cameron, you know
what want TO say. I've no right to find
fault, but-but-don't hirt with John.
He is in trouble, respondent, disinter
ested and he's falling in love with you rs
fast MS he can. beneve if you play
with him, he will kill himself, body and
soul"
aft understand you right, you wish
me tc ignore your nephew. 1t Is not 81
easy, as he is in your house, so | had bet
| ter leave IT.
"Goodness!" cried the widow, aghast
Mt this Interpretation OF her words 81
never meant that. Where can You find
another boarding. place near hccc?
IL can return to London
ave put my foot in it. John will
never forgive me-" said Mrs. TOllman,
disconsolately.
But there WAS no sympathy IN Leonie )
face, and she turned away ut last, per-
picked and more anxious than ever.
And Leonie, sinking back in her chair
again, looked ut the sunset clouds and
variegated foliage, and thought perhaps
it was time to return to London.
She had come to $, weary with a
round of fashionable life, tired of tlattery,
dancing, flirting, and she found rest and
quiet under Mrs. Tollman's motherly
care. She was rich, richer far than her
lsndlady had any idea of; but she had no
near relatives, only second cousin to
keep her lonely home, and play proprie-
tor.
Society constituted itself her ameteur
guardian, and lying back in her cushion
ed char, in the sunset glow, she wonder.
ed what society would say about John
Furber.
Then, from thinking of society's opin-
ion, she quite unconSciously glided into
considering her own. This dark-browcd
man made fair portion OF her summer
pleasure of three months; had been her
cavalier in many country walks, drives
and sails, had quoted poetry under trees,
sangsin superb baritone upon murmur-
ing waters, looked into her eyes on a
moonlit porch and whispered delicately
worded tlattery.
Finally, lifting her eyes with soft
sigh, she saw HIM leaning against tree
opposite the low window, looking ut her.
4 vivid flush stained her cheek as he
said:
What can YOU have been thinking Of!
You have not stirred for halt an hour,
Only that your eyes were open, should
have thought YOU asleep
"Your powers of observation are mar
vellous," She answered, lightly. Il was
only dreaming"
"Of what"
"Of the world IN general my world in
particular. 1t is almost time | return
ed there
She was prepared for some polite show
of regret, but not for the ghastly change
/ in his face.
She shuddered, remembering his aunts
words.
Going away! Why, OF course YOU
would be soon" he said, trying to speak
carelessly. while his eyes hungriIy de-
voured her face, and his white, parched
lips were drawn rs if in sharp physical
pain.
~ have been here three months she
said, feeling her own heart ache at HI:
misery.
yes; yes. You will 60, certainly
"you will be in the city, Ipresume.
should be glad to welcome you to my
/ house
No" said he harshilv; Il will not
take such advantage of your kindness. |
Am 4 man your friends would tell you &c
sbuD Miss Cameron-a man who has
wasted life till it is too late te take up the
threads again. You do not know, per
haps. that my aunt keeps me here from
/ charity
II know You have offended your
| father" she answered; "but You are
man scarcely thirty, and it is cowardly
to talk of despair at your age.
Her words cut him like a whip.laSh
The dark blood mounted to his forehead
as he repeated:
Coward! might fight the world yet,
but, and here his tone was bitter. and
yet strangely pathetic, "the battle is
scarcely worth winning. What would l
gain? Money? l do not value it. POSI-
tion2 l have thrown it behind me.
have played the fool, and must take q
fools wages"
al will not have you say SO" she said
reused to al earnestness she mover had