The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-02
AN OLD MANS DARLING,

She stood in the garden among her
flowers, with the sunshine all about her;
and John Ashley watching her from the
doorway, with curious, thoughtful ex-
pre- sion on his face, could think of moth
ing but bird or butterfly, rs she fitted
about from rose to lilac, with her yell
, low curls flying about her face IN cloud,
and her eyes full of sparkles like water in
shsdowy places.
His years were more than double hers.
He was mxn whom study had made So
Der and thoughtful in early manhood. be
had brave, strong face, with strange
gentleness in it now, Us he stood and
watched the girl in the garden. She was
the only child of an old friend of his who
had lett her to him when he died; he had
accepted the trust willingly. He had
tried to be faithful to it. And he had
succeeded.
| She is growing into beautiful woman
| hood" he said to himself. Somebody
will be robbing me Of her one OF these
days suppose
He sighed little rs he spoke, and the
thoughtful look upon his face grew deep
er.
"Unless-" and then he stopped sud-
denly and shook his head, rs il to assure
himself that what had been in his mind
that moment was net to be thought OF
seriously.
The girl in the garden began to sing.
Her voice was clear as any birds, and
the still morning air ruRg with melody.
John Ashley lett of thinking to listen.
A bird perched on ole of the lilac
bushes by the gate began n song in pure
rivalry. 1t seemed AS if he would split
his slender throat in his attempt to out
MARBLE the singer in the garden.
She listened moment, and began
ain. She ran up and down the lines of
melody in lights and dips oil sound that
made him think of n bird fitting in mid.
AIT
"Bravor he cried, clspping his hands
rs her voice died into silence, and the
bird flew up and away in the blue over
head. "Iou have put your rival to
flight
why, Johnw-she always called him
that didn't know any one WAS listen
ing"
You'd make fortune with your
voice." he said. "But l wouldn't like to
have you try it.
why she asked.
"Becsuse don't want to lose you" he
answered.
"You1l never be fortunate enough to
do that" she laughed, :, I'm going to stay
with you always, John"
you'll change your mind, some time
he said, gravely, looking away toward
the mountains in that way he had when
thinking deeply. await till Roy comes"
81 wish Roy were here" she said, COM
ing up the steps, and stopping close by
him. "YOu have told me so much about
him that | want to see him.
ale will be here to-day or tomorrow
he answered, thinking that with Roy's
coming there would be an end of the old,
quiet life in which he had StaCia all to
himself.
Someways, il had seemed to HIM all
along as if Roy would marry Stacia. They
were suited to each other. he knew OF
lao one he would sooner give herto, but
and always ut the thought OF giving her
up to any one there was curious little
pain at his heart. lie wanted her Tor
himself
That night Roy came.
al like him very much" she told John
Ashley next mornng. "Weshall be the
best of friends
"Or lovers" he added, with grave,
slow smile.
"Oh, no; only friends" she said, drop
ping her eyes before his earnest gaze,
while soft color like that of roses
heart came into her face. "Im going 10
have no lover but you, john
"Wait and see" he answered; "you
don't know your own heart yet.
But Staeia only shook her head.
She and Roy were the best of friends,
AS she had SAID they would be She had
never known brother love or compan-
ionship, and Roy's pleasant ways won
place in her regard from the first.
There were long rows on the river in
the pleasant days when ali the world was
full of Summer sweetness, and walks IN
the twilight. John Ashley, with only
his thoughts 10 keep BIN company, SAW
the two together, and told himself that
what he had tore told had come true.
Roy loved her and he WAS going to lose
the woman he loved.
Il must be fool to think of such n
thing NJ linking her life and NINE to-
gethcr,' he said, bitterly, one day, ms he
stood at the window, watching them row
ing slowly up and down the river. Il
am almost an old man. May and
December were meant not 10 mate to.
gether. And Yet, women have loved
men rs much older than they were, rs
Am older than Stacis. II she would love
me how complete life would seem! With
out her, shall always be n lonely man.
One day, Roy and Stscia were in the
garden together. They were tying up
carnations.
81 don't know anything in the world
sweeter than carnations except your
cheeks" Roy said, all at once. :. -.
That very pretty compliment,
said Stacis. 81 suppose l ought to give
YOU something in return. Here Is car
nation. That's fair-you give me com,
phments ard III pay you in carnations.
"Id rather you'd pay me IN kisses,
laughed Roy. ADO you know l am ]esI-
OTIS over that kiss you gave Uncle John
this morning. You never kiss me IN that