The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-27

perfectly quiet, and I am afraid ever
| the ride home will hurt It good deal
but Il L. not far"
aWinnien-he seemed to remember my
existence now for the frst time-awill
you hold Princes head while / lift Mis-
ArmitAge into the saddle
/ sulIenly obeyed. he raised her gen
tly in bis arms and placed her on my
horse. saw her face aush crimson
and the long dark lashes droop on her
cheeks, and 1 clenched my hands, and
vowed in my heart that II hould never
be.
All the way home preserved u dog
ged silence, brooding over what l per
suaded myself was my great misery. A
thousand things that had passed unnouc'
ed BY me before now flashed into my
mind. remembered how Reggy had
always managed 10 spend the hour be.
fore dinner with US 10 the drawing
room lately-how soon be rejoined u
after dinner--aud with what rapt atten.
ton he listened TO the goyerness's sing
Ing. Alb, It was all clear enough now
How could have been so blind all this
time? But It should not be--as to that
was determined. ! would do anything,
say anothing, to separate them. The
demon Of jealousy had entered into my
soul, changing my nature, turning my
heart to gall, and embittering my life.
It was indeed proving 10 me "more cruel
than the grave"
By the time we reached home Miss
Armitage was very weak and faint; she
had suffered, through silently, a good
deal and mamma at once desired that
doctor should be sent for. In the few
months she had been with US she had
endeared herself to every member Of the
household, which was seen now BY the
general anxiety Of all to do something for
her relief and comfort
The doctor was fortunately at home,
and came at once. He bandaged the
inflamed foot, and ordered her TO be kept
very quiet. =,
ii shall stay with her, DEAR" said
mamma. "You had better go down and
keep Reggy company at. dinner. It will
be lonely for him by himself"
~ am not hungry" | answered ~
shan't 70 down till aiterward."
was standing alone BY the drawing
room fire when Reggy came in from the
dinlng-room.
All by yourself, Winniep he said.
"Its very jolly in here"--drawing chair
to the ere and seating himseli--"pleasan-
Ter without a light, TOO, ! think"
There was silence between US for few
minutes, and then be said, half heistat.
"Do you know have come round TO
your way Of thinking about Miss Armi-
tages attractions? She Is very beauti.
full woman"
"You have not taken long to change
your mind" / observed, coldly.
"Well, / believe that ia ladys privil-
ege," laughing, "but may take advantage
OF il for once. She has the sweetest face
I ever saw.
"Yes," agreed she will make very
pretty bride. You know she 10 engaged to
Be married. Her intended is in India /;
she had letter from him this morning"
felt my head turn giddy when l had
spoken the cruel, lying words. They
seemed forced from me by some wicked
power which possessed me when his
praises Of her sounded In my ears.
He had risen from his seat and was
standing before the FIRE; his face was
shaded BY his hand and / could not see
Ito expression, but the ring OF hidden
pain was In his voice when be spoke.
II did not know il ill now-did not
even suspect It; but am glad you told
me, as must not forget to congratulate
her,"
~ imagine that It is secret engage
ment," / said quickly, land that abe
does not like 10 have Il spoken OF. /
tried to talk to her one day abont It, and
abe changed the subject at once"
'Then in that case shall say nothing
about it. Tshould be very sorry to med.
die with any lady's secret engagement"
with scornful emphasis on the words.
"But il lie very strange"
The last words were spoken In 30 low q
tone that only Just caught them, but l
knew their meaning. 1t was very strange
to his truthful, honorable nature that
she should have given n tacit consent, rs
il were, to bis words and looks oil love
when engaged to another-very strange
that a pure-minded woman, as he had
thought her TO be, should so act-aud his
pride and anger we're kindled, and rose
up at the idea Of being treated as q
favored lover one moment and then
thrown aside when another man should
make his appearance. | knew that no
woman who had acted as he believed
Helen Armitage had would ever be his
wife, and felt I had done my work we'll.
"Good night, Winnie" he said. pres
emily. u must leave you TO take your
coffee by yourself; have a lot Of tire
some letters to write" and STOPPING down
he kissed me, and then left the room.
Oh, the misery OF that evening when
[ sat by myseli, outwardly calm, but
with raging conflict within. Yes, ! bad
done my work well; / had told wicked
lie, and destroyed the happiness Of two
lives, AT one moment felt must throw
myself on Reggy's neck and tell him all,
but then what would he think Of me =?
He must always look on me with loash-
ing-and the idea Of being an outcast
from his affection and respect was 80 ter.
rible TO me that determined, at all haz-
ards, TO keep my own counsel and face it
out. I tried to comfort myself with the
wild, faint hope that in time he would
forget her-that she would pass away
out OF our lives and leave no trace be-
hind OF the misery she had caused. And
40 sat on and on, keeping no count Of
time. The rain fell heavily without, the
wind had risen and moaned drearily, and
all the peace and happiness Of my life
seemed 10 have passed out into the Wild
storm, and to be blown away on its troub>
led breast.
CHAPTER III.
II was winter again, dark and cold,
with a threatening OF SNOW in the air.
The daylight had long faded away, and
mamma aud / were seated by the draw
ing room fire. It was very quiet at home
now. Miss Armitage had left 10 the
summer, as noon as she had sufficiently
II