Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-04-15

day saw me so busily engaged with my
pupils and an amount of extra work
that / scarcely realized the fight o.
time. te.
One afternoon quite late, IS 1 sat
correcting q very much out Of drawing
study Jean came in. / did not look up,
but welcomed her from my easel she
came across the room silently, and
stood before me with without speak
ing. -
-SWell, my DEAR" said rubbing out
fore arm with bit Of bread, sit is q
long time since you gladdeued my eyes
with sight of your winsome face"
Then, rs she did not answer, looked
up. She was standing directly In front
of me. Her dress was long, soft,
white null, with breastknot of dark
Russian violets; she held her hat in
her hand, and her soft, dark hair lay
Aightly-moist upon her forehead. But
il. was none of these accessories that
drew from me the startled exclamation:
Jean, went have you been doing to
YOURSELF" For she was perfectly col.
Orless with palor that betOkened sleep
less nights and restless days, while all
the tiny blue veins about her temples
were plainly visible, and beneath her
sweet eyes were dark purple shadows.
She gave little laugh. ..
ION. nothing, Octavia, unless break
ing ones heart can bc called an occu-
patton. have been doing that"
"Then you are very foolish" | said.
"Why should you break your heart, and
some ones else as well, when the RENE
dy lies in your own hands"
She made no answer at first, trihing
in a nervous way with the feathers on
her hat. Then in troubled voice: us
it Denis you mean, Octavia?
"Who else should it be?' answered.
Break your own heart If you Will,
child, but you might have spared my
boys"
spoke quickly and in temper, but |
grieved when l had said it. The girl
started as il wounded, and gave long,
deep sigh, though she answered me
quietly enough.
Dear Madam Octavia, in deciding
a. have, believe me, | have not spared
myself; but | did not come to you
to say SO. | came because l am
very miserable, and all alone, aud be-
cause am mOtherless; and TO ask you
TO give him Deni5-thls,' laying a
little note on the ledge OF my easel:
"And now will say good. by, Octavla.'
She left me before could speak, with
the same hurt look Oh her face, and all
that remained was the white note for
Denis, and one or two violets that had
fallen from her dress as she moved
away.
A few more days passed by, and Sun
day morning, as. sat over my late tea
and toast, the door opened, and Jean
came in.
"Have you forgiven me. my dear ,"
| asked, as | kissed her sweet mouth,
remembering my hard words few
evenings ago.
20 indeed, Octavia, | had nothing to
forgive. Surely if you may not speak
your mind to me, who cam" See, L
have brought you these white lilacs,
Octayia. Baron Won Stock gave me
such large bunch of them yesterday,
and at once thought of you and the
dear, dusty, studio. You know | always
used to keep the old place frightened
up a Bit"
Then, as she separated the fragrant
white flowers and arranged them in
my two majolica vases, she asked in II
shy voice:
aHave YOU seen Denis, Octaviaw
"No, my little Jean; but sent him
your note"
"Did you read it, Octavia:"
My dear, no. | noticed it was I'M
sealed, but fancied that an oversight,
so l fastened it up tight and sent it on
its way. You did not tell me to read it,
JEAN"
Il does not matter" she answered.
Then, after little pause: 1T was only
to tell him, Oct,Ivia, that Baron Won
Stock and Mr.. Hailand have decided it
shall be on the 18th of June" | made
10 reply, though | know it was her
wedding.day she strOve to speak of so
calmly.
She came and rested her hands upon
my shoulders.
"You do not answer me, Octayia.
Are you then so inditterentm
MY child" said, 'since. you have
decided in your own heart what is best,
why should reply"
'Nes, that is true" Then kissing me;
~ have tried, Octavia, indeed | have,
to do all for the best. | love Denis
all, how truly do love him but my
word is pledged. What can do?
Nothing" answered, dryly, "since
YOU feel as you do
And now it seemed to me the days
fairly raced by in their eagerness to
reach the 18th of June. saw Denis
frequently, Jean less often. The boy
was overwhelmed with his first great
sorrow. He would come and talk to
me by the hour, tramping up and
down the studio, PUMPING up his hair,
and repeating over and over how much
he loved her-how cruel il all was.
why doesn't she tell Baron Won
Stock" he said. "You don't suppose
the man would force her to marry him
against her will?"
"Why don't you tell him." | an
>wered.
How can do that? Can go and
tell the Baron that feel sure Jean does
not love him, and is only marrying him
because of her fathers stupid promise
and some absurd nonsense about the
family honor? Don't her very sctions
give my words the lie direct? Didn't
tell it all to old Haviland, and much
good did it DO. He smiled at me as
blandly as possible and asked me if |
~ ~NllcS ~ NlSog . ANtuSoh. ~
course, was obliged to say no. Then
he smiled more blandly than before
and said: when Miss D'Orsay comes
TO me with the same petition, l will
consider it, Was there anything left
for me to do but take myself off after
that?"
No. had to agree with him; there
was nothing else left to do.
"Now listen, CONTINUED Denis. "Iou
are fond of me, you know, and it will
consequently give you pleasure to do
me good turn. Jean will not see me,
and | must see her before the 18th.
Won't you get her here next Sunday
afternoon, and then let me come in
quite by accident? You will, won't
Ou?m
Denis Durant," | said solemnly,
"since you were curly-headed boy l
have never refused you anything it was
in my power TO grant. Am likely to
do so now? Ies, you shall have one
more chance. will ask Jean to come.
And now be off; my six young ladies
will be here in less than ten minutes,
and i shall lose my reputation as a
stern instructor If they catch sight OF