Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-06
THE STOLEN LOcKET.
By II. J..

@N AhS WV S11SAA
upon the door.
AT last he arose, aud, walking to the
window. watched with ~listless eyes the
crowd that passed. While thus occu-
pied a girlish figure entered the room,
and, gliding softly to his side, touched
him lightly upon the arm; his quick
start, and the loving yet gentle manner
in which he gathered her to his heart,
showed at a glance that they were
lovers.
She was of medium height, of q slen-
der, delicate figure, and possessed a
nameless grace of movement, which,
added 10 her other charms, had won
her the name, among her many adj
Miners, of "Nellie, the Irresistible"
Guy Hartley had called, gladi of an
excuse TO aCquaint Nellie with some
arrangements he had just completed
with regard TO their soon approaching
marriage; and after 4 short time, he
reluctantly rose, and left the house with
a firm, elastic tread.
Hardly had he taken his departure
when the front door bell again rang,
and INT more q gentleman was usher
ell into the drawing room. He
was tall, with jet black hair, anda look
that bOded no good to an enemy. As
he sank into u chair, something glis.
tening upon the floor caught his eye,
and as he recognized it he could scarce
~ refrain from a shout of pleasure for
Fred Acton had long been the secret
rival OF Guy. And now, as he held in
his grasp the tiny locket, which by
some evil chance had become detached
from the bracelet on Nellie's arm, he
felt thai he possessed an almost certain
means of revenge on Guy, and stood,
perhaps, u better chance of winning
the fair girl for his wife; for the locket,
as he knew, had been Guys first love
gift to Nellie, and was pred as II of
her choicest possessions.
At this moment the foOtman entered
the parlor, presenting Miss POmerOy's
regrets, anda request that Mr.. Acton
would excuse her that afternoon.
Rising as the fOOtman entered with
her message, and scarcely able to con-
ceal the pleasure it afforded him at this
moment, when he was still trembling
with the fear of having been seen as he
hastily hid the shining bauble in his
bosom, he left his compliments, andd de-
parted.
GOit g directly 10 4 jewelers., he pur-
chased q small ring, with which he
fastened the locket securely to his watch
chain, and then sauntered down the
street, in the hope of meeting Guy.
His wish was destined to be fulfilled;
for he was shortly gratified by seeing
Guy approaching, with a serene, con-
tented look on his handsome face.
AS they stopped to chat, Fred, as if
anxious to conceal something, placed
his hand carelessly on his watCh-chain;
but Guy, as was intended, noticed the
action, and said, laughingly:
"What is it that you are so jealousy
guarding, Fred: a love-token from
some lady?'
"Yes; but for fear it might blight
your hopes in that direction, perhaps |
had better not show it To you at pres
ent," laughed false Fred, neryOusly.
'Oh, never fear for me~ said Guy
"for | have already Gagged my bird, and
so shall not prove a dangerous rival to
your suit"
"Well, then, beholdw replied Fred,
removing his hand, and disclosing to
view the tiny lOcket.
Guy turned pale rs death; but, mas
tering his emotion by a violent effort,
he n.ayfully insisted upon knowing the
name of Fred's charmer.
"Oh; come" said Fred, "you are
feigning innocence; for surely you must
have often seen this trinket upon the
arm of fair Nell, the Irresistible who
has this day bestowed it upon me as a
pledge of her true love-"
Guy had stood Is If turned to stone,
and then passed on.
Fred watched him with q sardonlc
smile, and thought to himself, "Ah,
my fine fellow, there's many a slip
'twixt the cup and the lip as you may
find to your cost, and then you will
know the consequences of standing i'll
the way of Fred Acton!p
That evening, Nellie watched and
listened in vain for the familiar foot.
steps, and she retired to rest at last, SAD
and dispirited.
The next morning, q servant entered
the room with a note addressed TO
"Miss Pomeroy." Grasping it, Nellie
tore it open, and read the following Ia
comic note:
UNELLIE: All is over between US.
Thank God, / have discovered your
perfdy before ii was too late. | had
the fullest confidence, Nelliei but that
is past now:
I trust, to revisit this country, which
would now be but q sad home for me.
"NoUr once. devoted lover,
"GUY HARTLEE."
Mr.. and Mrs. Pomeroy had not no.
ticed the sudden pallngO of their dsugh-
ter's face, as she hurriedly scanned the
familiar writing, till, as she reached the
fatal termination, her eyes closed, and
with q low moan of agony, she sank to
to the floor in a death-like swoon.
For five years Guy vainly strove to
find forgetfulness and happiness in con-
slant excitement and change OF scene;
but falling in this, he returned to Lon
don.
Not once had a suspicion of Fred
Acton's treachery crossed his mind, for
to Guy he had always shown the better
part of his nature.
Hand Nellie? Thrown into a nervous
fever by the cruel note from Guy, d
wayered long between life and death,
but finally her perfect constitution
gained the victory.
Vainly had Fred Acton sued for her
hand; but she had only scorn to give
him. Al first she thought that some
trivial act of hers had displeased Guy;
but as the weeks rolled on and no word
came from the absent one, she finally
| ceased to expect him.
Fred Acton at last gave up all hopes
of winning her hand; but loving her
still, he attempted to drown his disap-
pointment in the wine CUP; and, with
drinking and fast hosses, was rapidly
| eating up the handsome property left
him BY his father. One day, while rid
ing at break-neck speed, his horse,
frightened at q fiuttering rag, SHE'D and
threw him. When the hastily sum-
moned physician had examined his
wounds, he pronounced him mortally
injured. .,
knowing, then, that for him all
thoughts Of revenge on Guy were use
less, his thoughts turned to Nellie. So