Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-06-17

ever sooner than yield, that, knowing
| farther resistance was useless, the wild
ows departed. For many hours AFTER
ward James Grafton felt that he was
DE greatest brute in the word. He
was as regarded women and children
a most {, nder-hG art creature. He
hated himself for his harshaess; it
made him feel degraded and unworthy
even 10 WOO so sweet being as Eunice
Bell. 1t was far in the next day before
his selErespect returned.
lanes Graiton's hourse was pleasant
ly situated on the slope OF q hill, not
many miles from London. Eunice
Bell lived with q married sister In
Tulip. tree lane, within an easy walk OF
tie BACHELORS residence. James Graf
ton, being on intimate terms with the
family, knew, IS indeed all the neigh
borhood knew, that about two years
ago Miss Bell had been engaged to be
married. Then there had been quar-
rel and estrangemeDt He, the lover,
had gone abroad; she-why one day
she caught sight of her own face in the
locking. glass, and repeated to herself;
Charlotte. when shesaw her lover
BOFRt before he Oh ashutter
Like well ION iucted person,
Went on cutting bread aud bater.
Other people, said sh", went on living
the same simple, hopeful, beautiful life
that she always had lived.
There was a difference to her in the
aspect of things, doubtless; but if there
were she never made Others feel it.
But now that broken romance was all
over. But there are some events which
never reeede into the past: they live
forever in perpetual now, although
one may agree with ones self to behave
as if they had never occurred.
Now, James Grafton had had broken
romance of his own in early life. Cen
tie death had taken his "Ieonore,h
leaving a wound in his heart which,
although deep, had no bitterness in it.
So it had healed very fairly; it was de-
ference to Miss BELLS feelings, not his
own, that had kept him silent hitherto,
for in truth he was very much in love
with her, and had been for some time
past. James Grafton had promised to
dine in Tulip.tree lane the day after his
sisters wedding. He read Lettie's ncte
over three times before he started.
ATS that likes that makes NE hesi-
tate he said to himself, as he began to
descend the hillside by broad high
way. "Or, perhaps" he ventured to
hope presently, perhaps the likes
was only l.cttie's modest way of putting
loves L.ettie was always 50 modest.
Yes, yes, il max be so; but no it won't
DO. I'm a fool for thinking 80. And
yet-why not" And his thoughts re-
CURED to that other time when he had
asked his LeGOre what he now wanted
to ssked Eunice Bell.
That other time ah! then he had
heen young, impetuOus, madly in love.
Then he had had no reason to ask him
- If questions; then he had been only
[, o sure. Now, going down the hill 10
Il e house where Eunice He'll lived. h.
as full Of doubts and fears and hesita-
tiors. "Ict why uot"' he asked him
self, as n, turned the corner INTO Tulip
lItc lane,
Hc had grown very fond of that lane.
AS he turned the we'll known corner it
was 10 him as if he were in the pres
tuCe OF familiar friend and counselor:
it was as ii he had asked "Get why
uOt"H 10 some one else than himself.
And everything in the lane seemed Ia
hush his fOrebOdiugs, and say with
curious, all-pervading sOothingncss:
"Nhy doubt
Beyond the low hedges there were
miles and miles of smiling, undulating
English landscape, full of infinite calm
and gentlenesS. How it happened
can not say; but as James Grafton
walked soberly through the lane all
hesitation fled away, and his face grew
a restlul as his heart had suddenly be-
come. Aud was not that kindly face,
with its strange and winning touch of
purity, one which good woman could
hardly fail to love? The inevitable
young couple who haunt the lane passed
him; he did not cOvet their happiness
as he had often done; he was too happy
himself. \ turn of the road showed
him the house where Eunice Bell lived;
a large, old fashioned house, digniiied
but hOmelike. From the lawn rose =
stately cedar. Beside the dark cedar
Was great tulip tree covered with pale
blossoms. The voices OF children at
PLAY reached him from behind the old
red wall of the garden. With them
came All! what was that? Her
voice. James Grafton felt his pulse
quicken "a he FASTENED his steps toward
the house. infancy he saw her out
there under the tree the guardian of the
little group of children. PrOpitiOus
moment! Now if he could but seize it!
And eagerly, Is if for the first time in
his life, he hurried on to meet his fate
his fate that ut that very moment
was rushing how surely, how swiftly,
to meet him!
While James Grafton had been COM
ing through the lane the object of his
thoughts and affections, Eunice Bell,
! ad been sitting, just as he had imagin-
Cd, and rs he had often seen her, within
the shadow Of the great trees. She was
dressed for dinner, in q half-tOilet of
some soft dOve-colored, summer-like
fabric. She was ten years younger than
two years she had considered herself
distinctly an old maid. Her hair was
soft and fair. Her figure tall and slight
"a little too slight perhaps. Her face
was very placid. At the moment James
Grafton had turned into the lane it was
grave as well as placid. Presently was
ii because she knew by the striking of
the church clock that he must be COM
ing hsarer?) thought made her smile.
She WAS thinking of James Grafton
then, telling herself she liked him, feel
ing that somehow or another the idea
of being always an old maid was imper.
Ceptihly melting. as 1t only friendship
just touched with sentiment, or does he
really care for Ae?' The question
pleased her, but she knew The answer
perfectly well; she knew he cared for
her. Then she sighed; her lips half
Curled with scOrn, but not sc0rn for
him. No one except his sister. law
could regard James Grafton with any
thing but profound respect. "Rest,
tFustiulneSs, and love! ALI | have
sometimes thought them idle words,
but TO see the smile of this good man is
to know"
She never finished the sentence.
"Auntiel auntie! see, there's Mr..
Grafton" little voice cried gleefully;
! and Eunice Bell, raising her eyes, which
had been fixed on the grass at her feet,
saw James Grafton crossing the lawn,
and the children all scampeIing toward
him as fast as their chubby legs could
carry them. Eunice rose aud followed
| them, laughing gently at the earnest