Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-17

occasionally, and Alnslie fancied she
was getting jealous of his attentions to
her sister. 1t would be awkward, he
reflected, If he should lose Maude's
good opinion, and she should turn out
after all to be the heiress. He became
rather desperate at last, and taking ad-
vantage Of the girls being absent from
the room one day, he put very leading
question TO Mrs. Granger, the answer 70
which most have solved all doubts.
The old lady, quite innocent apparent
ly, was about 70 reply, when, IS Ainslie
waited with his heart in his mouth, he
looked up and saw Maude, who had
entered unobseryed.
The sight Of her daughter apparently
reminded Mrs. Granger OF the dictates
Of prudence, for she eoughed uneasily,
while Ainslie felt disconnected. Maude
must have heard his question, and from
the way she looked at him he was I'M
comfortably suspicious that she guessed
the motive for asking. Ainslie was the
more vexed st this eOntretemps because,
on returning 70 his hotel, he found 3
note which stated that the writer,
though not absolutely certain, had every
reason to believe that Maude was the
heiress. 1t may be mentioned that this
confidential communication came from
one Of Ainslie's tradesmen; who had
the most vital interest in his matrimo-
NAL projects.
Ainslie resolved to act upon this in
timation without delay. His own i'm
preston was that the information IN
the letter was correct. He had nothing
to guide him to this opinion except q
sort Of presentiment. The tritiing
incident OF the morning and Maude's
altered manner Of late tended to bring
matters to q crisis. There was ball
that evening at the pavilion, given by
a cavalry regiment stationed at Preston.
The Changers went, and Ainslie seized
the opportunity TO retire with Maude
to q secluded corner OF the balcony.
But ere he had time to declare himself
the girl said nervOusly:
"Mr. Ainslie, Iheard you ask mamma
a question this morning. Are you un-
der the impression that / am possessed
Of large fortune"
Ainslie was so taken aback that he
could only murmur few unintelligiole
words in reply. Maude looked at him
keenly, and noticing his confusion, said
rather cOntemptuoudy:
al have no desire to sail under false
colors, especially with friends" Then,
after an awkward pause, she added, II
think, Mr.. Ainslie, youldon't mind We
will return to the dancing room. It's
rather chilly here"
Ainslie gave her his arm without
word, and led her to seat beside her
mother. Their eyes met as he did so,
and i'm her glance Ainslie read mingled
reproaeh and scorn. He plainly saw
that she understood his conduct rlghtly,
and realized that he had been about 70
propose to her under the belief that she
was an heiresS. For once IN his life
Ainslie felt a tritle ashamed of him
self, and was conscious OF his own
meanness. But this remOrseful sentl-
ment was but eyaneScent. AS soon as
Maude's pale face was out OF sight ne
began to congratulate himself on his
narrow escape.
"By jove, that was deyilish lucky"
he murmured, slipping glass of cham
pagne in the refreshment room. 10
think that have been on the wrong
scent. 1t must be the little one, OF
course. But what made her pull me
up, wOnder?'
He had an inward conviction that
Maude's purpose was to test ms sln-
eerity. and this made him feel little
He preferred to believe
that she was willing to sacrifice her
own happiness for her sisters sake, and
had therefore eudeavored to evade his
This superstition commended
itself to Gerard Ainslie in his present
mood, and he was willing to give
Maude credit for the magnanlmtty 1t
involved.
1t was evident'that the poor girl was
very much upset by their short tete-a-
tete. She refused to dance any more
during the evening on the plea OF hay-
ing a headache and sat very pale and
silent. She never even glanced at Ger
ard Ainslie again until he came up to
shake hands with her when she left.
She looked at him then, calmly and
without bitterness, and she noticed that
his fsce wore an air of defiance which
she afterwards understood. During the
drive home she never spoke 8 word,
but when she felt EthePs warm little
hand thrust under her cloak she squeezed
ii eagerly, as though longing for tender
sympathy.
A few minutes after she had retired
TO her room there came knock at the
door, and Ethel glided in. There was
something in the girls aspect that at
once attracted her attention, Her face
was radiant with happiness, her eyes
sparkled, and her lips wore a smile.
She put her arm around Maude's waist,
kissed her affectiOnately, and then
with heightened color whispered few
words in her ear.
"whatm exclaimed Msude, start
ing to her feet. ale has proposed to
you? Tonight! and you have accepted
him."
II love kim So" said Ethel, turning
pale at her sisters agitation. "Dont
he angry, Maude, l was afraid perhaps
yOu-yOu-"
"My darling, heis not worthy Of you,
You must think no more of him."
interposed Maude, vehemently. "Why,
only this evening"
any darling, ana afraid your idol Is
rag and flstian. Do not be angry with
me. God grant he may be q true
man! | will congratulate you then,
love, from my heart of hearts. But you
mnst test him, and will tell you
how"
When Ainslie met the Changers next
morning he was greeted with calmness
by :Maude, who hurried in a
marked manner, leaving Ethel
to walk behind with him.
Ainslie was Agreeably surprised by this
man9uvre, which seemed to indicate
that he had found 3 friend where he
least expected. he did not notice that
Ethel looked white and agitated till she
spoke to him
Gerard" she said hurries.iy, al told
Maude what passed l2st night. She
thinks Il right the$ 1 should explain
something to you"
-a"Yes, dearest" said Ainslie, feeling
vaguely uneasy.
al don't know whether you are rich
or poor, Gerard" continued Ethel. al
hope you are poor, because am poor
also. / am not an heiress, like Maude."
"Whatw exclaimed Ainslie, sharply.
"Maude feared something she said
yesterday may have misled you" con-
tinued Ethel, dropping her voice TO a
terrified whisper, rs she noticed the ex-
preston on Ainslie'S face.