Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-15

the room and never stopped until she
had buried her face among the pillows
of her own little garnet bed.
Thither Sarah Baldwin presently foi-
lowed her-a heavy-footed, good
natured girl, with muddy complexion
and thick nose.
WClickp' she TAINTED, whatever have
Won done with you hair? Do just look In
the glass and see what a fright you
have made of yourselfo
Click sat I'D on the side Of the bed.
with the old, unconscious gesture OF
pushing back the hair which was no
longer there. -,
II look like q brigand," she said,
passionately regarding her reflection III
the scrap of cracked looklns-giaSs.
"But, oh, Sarah | did so want the
money to 90 to the historical
lectures" =,
And then she told honest Sarah all.
WWell. /" said Sarah, 81 don't blame
you, Click. / suppose the lectures VII
be splendid. And amt 1t nice, MI
Cheveuix coming here to board, De-
cause they've got the scarlet FEVER at
the tavern? And he's to have ths oiS
spare chamber, and"
"Oh, deaI-Oh, dear" said ChcK,
breaking forth into fresh tears ana soDsi
al shall never be able to come INTO the
room with my hair shorn oil ike
cOnvict's! But i will go to the lectures,
Sarah, if / have to wear Aunt Dorcas
black pOke-bOnnet and a green barge
veil over my face. l will Will"
She kept her word, and it was some
time before Mr.. Cheveuix fairly COM
pretended who was the silent, intent
auditor in the corner, whose figure was
so Young and so exquisitely nodded,
and whose costume was so laughaOly
antique.
"Why does Clarissa never come into
the rOom?" he asked Aunt DorcaS, one
day.
Goals is queer" the old lady sagely
made reply. "And Clicks had her mar
cut OFF,
"Do YOU know what prompted her
to that strange caprice" theyOumg man
asked.
Aunt Dorcas' specialized eyes twink
led. ,,
"Our Sallie says it was to earn little
money. She sold it to Lem Price, up
ut the Three Crooked Keys, to get
money to buy tickets for your lectures.
And now she's 80 awful shamed OF her
looks she won't come in, and so she
eats her meals in the buttery every
day.
Mr.. Cheveuix smiled to himself.
1--WE must try and embolden her 4
little" he said.
The walk up and down the garden
path, where the interviewer boughS OF
awning ofshade, was more than usually
prolonged this morning. And II Click
could only have read his thoughts; how
amazed would she have been!
"She is diamond in the rough he
said to himself-"a wild-rOse, blooming
in these rocky wildernesses, Her eyes
are an inspiration, her voice sweeter
than the lark's whistle. | have been
dimly conscious of it for some time and
now | am quite certain that | love her.
Nv city friends will probably say that |
am fool. Well, let them! If ! sue.
ceed in meeting here the full, rounded
perfection of my life, why need | care
for the babble Of the world? ! love her
and that is enough"
And so, quietly crossing the meadow,
where the tall, blue tiOwer-deluces lifted
their banners along the course OF the
stream, and Strengthened willows Kept
up dreamy rustic, he came upon
| Click, sitting all alone with her book,
upon the rustic bridge.
Sweet as the wild flower she looked.
True, the long, dark luXuriance of hel
hair was gone, but the tiny silken rings
curled all over her head, like a baby's
IN, a
tendrils over her brow. n faint crimson
burned on her cheek; her eyes were
full of changing, limpid light.
"Mr. CheveuiN! she cried, starting
up. o
Don't move, Click he said. mo;
Just stay where you are. want to talk
to you. You give me no chance i'll the
house; | will seize my one opportunity
here"
Click looked at the deep, brown-rippled
water, then at Mr.. CheveuiX. There
was no way of escape, unless, instead
she chose to swim like wild duck.
She lifted her large, startled eyes to his
| face.
"Opportunity?" she repeated.
, al have great deal to say to you
Click" he begun.
"Have you"
Oh, surely, surely he must hear the
wild, tumultuous beatings of her heart,
"Why do you avoid me so systematic
ally" he asked, gently takingher hand
Click was silent.
''Tell me-" he pursued. "Do you dis
| like mem
"Oh, nOw
"Do YOU like me, Click" he asked
looking intently into her eyes.
"0f course | like YOU" she naively
answered.
"And is there nothing deeper, ten
derer still, Click? Were l to sue fol
] your love, what answer would you make
TO me?'
+ When they came up, beside the
fower-deluces and the hoar-leaved
willows, to the house, Mr.. CheveuiS
+ md Click were engaged to be married
d the coming spring. Mr.. CheveuiS
'as to assume u chair in a Western
ollege, and Click was to be the profess
sr's lady.
And Mrs. Baldwin and her fair
daghter could scarcely believe i'll
Cclk's good luck.
OSall people in the world, how came
htD ever propose to you, Clarissa!
salLAunt Dorcas.
Ldon't know, aunt" said Click,
haging down her head, "I-I suppose
betuse he loved me-"