Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-24

they presently lett the nouse eoSeehe''
@Piease to come upstairs," her COM
panion said, when they were admitted
TO the old Guild house; and she led the
way up the broad, oak staircase 70 the
|, banquet room. 1t was furnished now
h q great wood fire burned on the wide
hearth, and japanese screen shut out
the draught. Monsieur Vanderhaven
was seated near the fire, with his back
toward them; q tall, gaunt inquire IN .
| gray dressing-gown and veivet cap.
When his visitor entered he gave ner
serutinizing glance under his neayS
brows, and bowed, but did not rise rs
he motioned her to a seat.
Charlottesville Van Elven," ne began
when they were alone, II believe you
are in correspondence with my grauuG
seBp
ayes, monsieur" she answered quiet,
~, though her heart was nutterlng;
have heard from HIM frequently since
be left home.p
Iected. at was by your advice, De-
lieve, that he wentT'
~ advised hun, as thought, for the
best, and l have reason TO believe was
right. He tells me that he Is making
rapid progress, and that his pictures
have already attracted attention:
believe thele is a brilliant future before
him"
"Humph! we shall see" was the re-
mark. "Be kind enough to give me MS
address. 1t may be necessary for me 70
write to him." and he pushed the INK
stand toward her.
She took up the pen, but there seemed
10 be mist before the paper. AFTER
one attempt she shook her head, ana
held it out to him.
envy eyes will not serve me at all to-
night,n she said with a deprecating
smile; "the address IS"
"What is the matter with your eyes"
he interrupted.
81 have over-tried them at lace-mak-
ing. They have have been failing me
some time"
"You ought to have advice about
them" said NJ. Vanderhaven, more
gently than he had yet spoken. He
had felt bitterly toward her when she
entered, but somehow his resentment
| seemed to be melting away before the
| gentle composure of her manner, and
| the patient sweetness of her smile.
al have, monsieur. The doctor tells
me there is no organic disease; II L
could give them complete rest for
time they would save me for my whole
| life to come"
"And are you resting them"
~ must now-against my will" she
answered with an Involuntary sigh. II
can work at my lace-pillow no longer"
"And how do you intend to employ
yOurself?" She shook her head and
make no reply. He looked at her stead
ily q moment, slowly rubbing his chin,
then dipped the pen in ink.
"YOu said the address was"
"No. II Via Margutta, Rome" she
answered, and rose, thinking the inter-
view was at all end.
"Wait moment" he interpOsed as
he wrote. 81 have something to say to
YOU" He seemed in no hurry to say
il, however. Having written the adj
dress, he methodicalIy folded the paper
and placed it in his pocket-book, took,
off his spectacles, and put them in their
case; then looked up.
81 have proposal to make to YOU"
he began abruptly. at has occurred to
me that may be able to assist you and
serve myself at the same time. i am
in failing health, l need a companion
and attendant-some one who would
not set my nerve on edge as professional
nurses do. Should you be inclined to ac-
cept the post?
She looked at him as If doubling
whether she had heard correctly.
"Do you mean-tO live here, mon
sieur":"
ayes. OF course you could see your
mother every day, and / should enable
you to give her the comfort and attend
ance she needs"
"You are very kind" she faltered,
"but-"
Gam l so formidable that you dare
not trust yourself with me"' he asked,
with grave smile which sOftened his
features wonderfully, giving them
vague resemblance to Bernhar1ts. Her
face caught the reflection of his, and
frightened suddenly. mo, indeed"
she said, with all answering smile; "if
Ihesitated, it was because might not
be competent"
"Then you will Gomez" he inter-
rupted.
"Yes, monsieur, and will do my
best to please you. 1t will make me
happy to be of service to"
"Bernhardt's grandfather" he fin
ished; 'just so. Then it is settled.
Shake hands on it." When she gave
him her hand he detained il, looking up
at her 80 intently that she blushed, she
hardly knew why.
"When are you going to write to this
distinguished artist?n he demanded.
every shortly. Tomorrow, perhaps.
Have you any messagew she said visit
fully. He paused, apps rently forgetting
that he still held her hand, and looked
thoughtfully at the fire. She watched
his face anxiously, reading there the
signs of struggle between pride and
affection.
"Teil him am glad to learn that he
is making good progress in the profess
sion he has chosen"
"Yes?" she prompted, as he paused.
He glanced at her whistful face and
smiled.
"And YOU may say that if he Is not
| too busy to allow himself a holiday, he
may spend Christmas with me-with
us, that is" The girls heart leaped; a
thrill of exquisite happiness brought
tears to her eyes. With sudden
impulse she stopped and kissed the
wrinkled hand that held her own.
The old merchant patted her cheek.
"Tut, tut, SILLY child; save your
kisses for some one who has right to
them," he said. Two days later
Annette began her duties, and was
soon as much at home in the old Guild
house as if she had lived there for
years. She was happy in her new
life, and her young presence so bright
ened the house that NJ. Vanderhaven
found himself wondering how he could
have endured its gloom and solitude
| before she came.
The time passed pleasantly to both
Of them, and every day brought nearer
the meeting which, in his heart, the
old merchant longed for as much as
she did, though he seldom mentioned
his grandson's name.
"0nly five days till Christmas" An
nette remarked one evening, looking
up from the knitting which kept her
fingers busy while her eyes and thoughts
were free. They were in the banquet
| room: Monsieur Vanderhaven recin-