Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-12-23

bis usually open, frank countenance,
and setting his teeth hard together, he
tried net to think Of the alteration that
had come over his bright little love in
the couISe Of the last few weeks-tried
Tot to think of the suspicion which had
been gradually growing IN his own
mind, aud which waxed stronger day
by day.
Six weeks ago Nellie's love for him
tad appeared as strong even rs his FOR
her; but lately he thought he had no.
ticed change IN her-a change which
1t SlmOst maddened him to think of.
lie dared not ask himself the cause
ofiI-he dared not give voice to the
suspicion which haunted him day aud
night-the suspicion that this change
was due TO the presence of Malcolm st.
Ange, the prUtligate nephew Of the
'SquiIe's foreign wife, who had been
staying at the Grange for the last few
WET IL, and who, Is far - he could, had
awaited himself of every opportunity t.
pay attention and say pretty things to
Farmer Naughan's fair daughter.
But Mr.. Vaughan had objected To this,
and for the last fortnight no one had
ever seen him talking To Nellie, neither
had he been near the farm; but still
deep down in Arthur's heart lur6ed
the suspicion that Malcolm st. Ang-
had not been 20 easily got rid of IS good
Mr.. Vaughan imagined, and wlJh
deep sigh he walked slowly into the
house, determined to find out, if he
could, whether or not there was any
ground for hissuspiciOn.
Nellie was very gay and hsppy that
evening.
Too gay, too happy, her lover Thought,
sadly, as ne watched her excited man
uer and flushed face.
He left earlier than usual that night.
and as he walked home across the field
he m. ntally determined that the next
day should end his uncertainty, for
from Nellie's own lips he would force
the truth, at any cost.
Meanwhile all was quiet at the farm
Miss Vaughan, Nellie's aunt, had
gone to bed, while Mr.. Vaughan slum-
6ersd peac. fully in his easy chair; aud
Nellie, rising from her chair by the
windo ", knew that if she desired to go
oat unobeerved now WAS the Oppor-
tunity.
She glanced at the little old fashioned
clock on the mautelpisce; il was near
ly halfpast Q, and with little CULVER.
ing sigh she realized that the time had
come.
But still she hesitated, looking across
at her fathers calm face with q glance
both yeaTning and fri .htened.
at will not be- for long" she muttered
70 herself. al will write to him direct
~, and lie will not be very much griev-
ed, dare say, much as he likes Ar
thur"
Another glance at her father, and
then putting her hand on her eyes tn
keep back q rush of tears, Nellie hastily
left the room for her own chamber
Half an hour later sue stealthily
cTept from the house, rObed in d dark
ulster and wearing thick veil.
When she had got outside the gate
into the road, she turned and looked
back on the home she was leaving, aud
surge Of strange, unwOnted feeling.
rushed to her heart and almost sutfJ.
Gated her.
How quiet, how peaceful it all looked.
How happy she had been in that dear
old home! How lovingly she had been
cared for by the true haarts she WA,
leaving behind her!
Nellie Vaughan hesitsted. Through.
out thedsy, with all it, bright sunshine,
she had never swerved; sue had prom.
ised to fly with Malcolm St. Ange, and
she had felt that for his sake she could
give ND all, even life itself, and she hat
Contemplated leaving her home with
out o papg; but now, in the hushei
silence OF sight, for the first time the
Importance the step she was about to
take came upon her with full force, AMI
a ysgue terror possessed her, almost
impelling her TO go mack to the home
she wss leaving TO forego the step she
wss contemplating.
But only for q moment did these
thoughts sgitate her.
Drawing deep breath she reso!uteiy