Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-08-26
WAS IT FAIR OF HIM?

A lovely day in September. The
rsys of the sun are tempered by a slight
haze that lies over the sea, while the
air is so calm that the flag at the end Of
the pier has hung metionleSs the whole
morning.
AT the foot Of the cliffs, among the
boulders, sits a girl s~ketching-a girl,
who, in her pretty pale tinted dress, re-
lieved by u bunch Of peoples at the neck
and another in the becoming little sail
or hat, makes q fair picture herself.
She has a sweet, earnest face framed
with curly darked hair that falls softly
ON the white forehead, which is just
now prettily puckered in the earnest
ness Of her task.
BY her side, stretched to the full
length of his tall athletic figure, reclines
an equally fair specimen Ofthe opposite
lex, his thoughts apparently far away,
Judging by the absent look in the hand
some gray Eyes which are looking out
to sea.
Suddenly he rouses himself, aud
luHing his hat Il little further back
rom his broad white brow, turns lazily
N elbow. and says, penitently:
al am awful sorry, Miss Grey. You
must think me a very dull companion,
l am sure, but the fact is, that from be-
ing alone so much when l was abroad,
have acquired 3 very awkward habit
of going Into day dreams without the
slightest regard to time or eircum-
tancCs; so please except my most hum
BILE apologies" he concludes, looking
pleadmgly into his companions face.
A SOFT laugh answers his words, aud
DOrey Grey says, gently, without rails
ing her eyes:
''Prsy don't apologize, Mr.. Careltou.
am afraid l must plead guilty to the
weakness of Observation-Disclosures myself
occasionally, and at the present mo.
ment | wa 20 engTOsSed at this difficult
piece of sky that | had almost forgotten
your presence
sob" q Y Frank Carelton, blanklS,
under his breath, while the glrPs sweet
voice re-umes, unconscious OF the inter
ruptiOn:
al always think that one of the tests
Oftrue friendship is being able TO be
with a person, and either talk, think,
or keep silence, as long rs you choose,
without the expectation OF giving Of
fence"
oh" says Frank, resIming his old
attitude, III suppose you go in for that
sort of thing; most young ladies do-tor
a time"
IL don't know what you meat by
going i'm for that sort of thing but |
certainly believe that there are such
people TO be met with as real, sincere
friends in every sense ofthe word
Naturally enough at your age, Miss
Grey; hut pardon me, when you have
lived q little longer you will find people
are not always what they seem, nor are
their pfutestaliOus Of friendship much
to he depended upon"
However old | may live to be- says
Hcra, al hope | shall always have a
n nh faith in NV fellOw-CreatureS a. |
have now and I firmly believe it poSsi-
bic to meet with those who will,
through riches ami poverty, good report
and evil, be StpadfaSt and uuchanging
4EleDuS. Mn 'AuhNlAAiS 90 ~ N"A
eaTnestnFss Dora resumeS the brush,
which she had been neglecting for the
last ew minutes.
Frank smiles under his mustache at
the girlIug ouIburst, but turns and looks
graveIy enough into the charming, shy
face aud says vita q sigh:
''Ah, child, you don't know what you
are talking about. Just put il to your
self q moment and tell me,dO you think
YOU could be- such q friend if need be-"
~ do" is the quiet, earnest answer,
and something in the pure face makes
Frank take the little bare hand nearest
him into his and kiss II reverently.
Then, letting il go, he says gently:
al suppose, Miss Grey, your theory
would not allow friendship between two
Of opposite sex"
Certainly it would" replied Dora.
al can never understand why the re-
gard which may exist between a man
and q woman should not be dictated by
a feeling Of true, earnest friendShip,and,
as such, be frankly shown before the
world. l dare say you think me very
FOOLISH the sweet, girlish voice con-
cludes, q little hastily; my sisters at
home have often laughed at what they
call my peculiar notions"
There Is no reply for q moment, for
Frank Is locking earnestly over the
sea; then she turns with an air OF having
made up his mind to something, and
says, quietly:
"Dora, will you be such n friend to
me?"
The girls cheeks flushes, and she
turns to meet the expected smile; but
the glance which meets her Is grave
and earnest, and the clear r eyes
look honestly into hers.
There is q momentary pause; then
she lays heT pretty white fingers gently
into the hand outstretehed to meet
them, and says, steadily.
IL will, Mr.. Carleton, a. far As it lies
in my power, iryou wish It."
II do wish IT," says Frank coucisely,
his band closing firmly round the
timid little fingers, over which be bend
his hAndeom z head before releasing,
and upon which he imprints q son ks
TO Tstify the contract,
The pretty white house, nesting
among the dark frs, which are such an
addition to the beauty Of the coast neal
SSRdcnnibe, b+lOngsIO Mr. Darlington,
and be and his pretty wife ara never
more pleased than when they can in
luce rs many ~ pOSSiOle OF tnelC nun
erOus friends to visit then; and they
are particularly happy in the selection
Oftheir guests, and are never tired OF
devlsipg sOne pleasant plan Of RmuSe-
ment- RavensW OOd house il almost al.
ways gay aud lively with pleasant
laughter ard merry chatter.
Mrs. Darlington was Miss Grey,snd
Dora is her pet sister, so she often stays
- d.. rn.I F. Wnnnfha NnnaFhn-
Frank Carleton has Only been down
- ~, . frfnfDIf II. = n II