Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-08-27

resting on the mare shaggy name, Whtst-
ling as he went for very light-heartedness
and Joy of life, could not help wondering
WHY disliked Tom so much. and whether
indeed il were possible to reconcile thor
oueh hatred of our cousins with a certain
curious pleasure in their society. wished
that l could put my meditations into
words, for Toms benefit. Surely there
was such thing as progression by antaso-
nism. What q pity, thought |, that women
are so weak at definition and argument.
In the very midst of my metaphysical
wonderings, Tom looked carelessly back
over his shoulder, and my eyes met his.
He laughed, he absolutely laughed again;
q contemptuous hooking laugh that Jared
upon my feelings. With look OF wither.
ing scorn leaned back in my seat and
devoted myself altogether to the contempla-
ton of the scenery around us. 1t was very
lovely: we were nearing Eddiscombe,
Quaint little town EMPOWERED IN trees,
overlooking narrow stretch OF inland sea;
The gray roofs shone in the sun, thousand
dancing lights cleaned in the ripping
water: an orchard, full OF rosy, poisoning
trees lay on our right hand; to the left,
undulating green hills and slopes, while far
beyond was the breezy moOrland, and on the
horizon some brown sails OF fishing boats
came skimming along the narrow blue line
that was the open sea. ,,,
sPrettv, amt it," asked Tom. There's
no place like England, no place like home,
Lettuce, after all"
''But if YOU have never travelled TomP'
That's the very reason why" he replied,
somewhat systematically, and. leaping light
ly into the dog-cart, be gave the brldle-reins
a shake and we set OIL at swinging trot.
There are few things more delightful to
nv mind than passing quickly through the
air, perched on the top OF vehicle, the
guidance of which is intrusted to steady
hand. 1t Is charming to close the eyes and
dream secure and comfortable, though the
sense of swiftncSs almost catches the breath.
Some time had gone by thus peacefully,
when said: How pleasant it is, Tom?'
But, even while spoke there was sud
den strange sound, rs though something
in the rickety harness had given way, and
a black object swayed for moment TO and
fro about the mares neck, close to her cars.
The animal was frightened, doubtless, ior
our speed increased tenfold, and the old
dog-cart lurched and swung from side TO
side
sob, Tom, not so fast, not so fast"
cried.
"Hush," said Tom under his breath.
stared at him, a vague dread chilling
nv heart. lie was sitting bolt upright,
nav, he was half standing. His lips, partly
open, showed his tightly clenched teeth;
his eyes were fixed, and he was frownlng
terribly. His strong hands held the relns
in their powerful grasp, but the ribbons
were strained. and seemed almost about 10
break aSunder.
And then knew that Jerry was running
away, and that We were in danger w
laid my hand upon the reins. Oh
Tom, let me help" / whispered. But Tom
shook off my hand with no gentle move
ment.
Good Cod he said fercely, 'let me
alone. will you? Sit Still-ycs, you shall!
Do as tell you; do y on hear"
He glared at me 4 moment; his blue eyes
flashed like steel, and his face was quite
white; had never dreamed that Tom
could look thus | sat perfectly still, not
altogether from obedience to Tom, OF course
but from wish to help him as well as from
the consciousness that it was best to do so.
Faster and faster grew Jerry's speed; my
head swan as the landscape seemed to fly
past, and we dashed on, sometimes spinning
reCklesSly along the road. sometimes jolting
and lurching dangerously over stones and
rough places.
Suddenly Tom turned TO me. LEFTY, you
will promise to remain still, whatever hap
pens" he murmured hurriedly.
Yes, yes; why
Tom gave no answer, but the next mo-
ment the dog cart Swervcd violently the
mare seemed about to climb the steep bank
and was scarcely conscious OF anything
more except an overwhelming surging
sound in the ears.
Then directly after, it appeared to me,
found myself unacCOuntably sitting on the
soft gras>, with Toms arms about my neck,
and Toms frightened eyes staring into
mine.
ooh. Lefty. YOU arc a real angel" said
Tom inCOhcrently.
| could not speak; | thought | was
dreaming; put my hand to my head; |
WAS hardly aware of my own IDENTITY; ~
Toms affectionate attitude. And yet it
was all true: the dog-cart and the mare h nd
vanished, and /, weak and giddy, was sit
ting by the roadside, leaning against this
meckcst and cOntritest of cousins.
''Oh, Lefty" said Tom, in a voice that
was absolutely low and husky, can you for
give me? oh, Lefty, my darling, | nearly.
killed YOU. When we were shot out OF
that beastly trap, and picked you up, you
had tainted, and thought you were dead
But YOU are all right, amt you? say you
are all right, Lefty =,
There were two big tears in Toms kind
eyes as he gazed anxiouSly at me. l was
all right, so right, indeed, that | am con-
WINGED my strongest feeling at that particu-
lar moment was one of triumph that fate
and together had reduced Tom to such an
abiect condition. Possibly he discernei
something of the kind in my tell-tale face,
TOR he smiled and breathed sigh OF re-
lief
And then he blushed deep red through
his brown skin.
Lefty, give me kiSs-just one kiss.
why? Oh, Tom, can't, can't
met hapanSn
hate me-" said Tom illogically; and So
without waiting any permission, he took
me in his strong arms and held me. And
a strange and sudden knowledge came TO
me that our hate was not hate after all, but
only love in disguise. For, indeed, from
time immemorial mythical and historical,
has not the foolish young god been prone
to disguise? AS we sat, hand in hand,
gazing at each other, there was no need for
speech, and Tom and were both silently
agreed that we had loved each other all our
lives.
But at last he spoke. "Letty, do you re-
member the first time ever saw your
'Yes; it was at grandpa's house at Twick-
enham. We were party of children play
ing together, and hOrrid little boy want.
ed to put some earwigs down my back, and
you wouldn't let him.
~ give him Jolly thrashing, and made
him eat one OF his own earwigS. And the
second time saw you, Lefty, you cried be,
cause l made you sit in cherry tree and
wouldn't allow YOU to come down until
you had eaten the cherries had picked for
you"
"And my French governess cried also,
and said YOU had bad heart"
80 she did. Well, the third time We
met you were grown up, and wouldn't
speak to me at all so it was my turn to be
in Coventry"
And how about jerry" 1 asked after a
pause.
''She is in the sand pit, probably. tried
to upset the trap to save us from worse
destruction. l didn't know exactly what
TO do" added Tom ingenuously. But the
old mare disapproyed of my plans and split
us, and went on her way rejoicing"
ooh, Tom"
80 now you must walk home, Lefty. Or
stay: let US 60 as far as that white farm
house. 1t will do you good to rest a bit,
anyhow
We walked awhile, and then, at turn in
the road, We came upon Jerry, quietly
grazing by the hedge, the broken reins
hanging loosely about her neck, and the
old dnc-cart scarcely injured still at her