Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-29
HIS WIFE.

hills, bathed in the suns parting glow,
dotted the landscape on every side, and
over all smiled tender, brOOding sky.
What keen enjoyment the anticipation
Of 3 summer all alone with my best
friend had afforded me-and now was
almost there. There was the house;
old, brown and many roomed, and
most of the rooms on the ground floor
Grandmother herself had been the ar
chitect Of the establishment.
al told your grandfather" said she,
OH one occasion, that no man was going
To plan a house for me TO live in. What
does man know, / should like 20 be
told. of q woman's needs? II he'd
built il according to his notion, there
would have been three or four fligAts Of
stairs, and then, with a baby on each
ann and two or three hanging TO my
petticOats, might have spent most OF
my time on 'em-but knew BETTER"
As events proved, grandmother was
correct in her prediction. An enthusi-
astic lover OF nature wast this old lady OF
seventy years. Yes, there she was!
caught a GLIMPSE Of her white sleeve
on the windOw-sill. | would walk
softly in and surprise her. How eX-
quisite the taste of this presiding genius
Heliotrope, mignOnette, and white
roses! GrandmOtheT'sr rose bushes were
the envy Of the whole neighbOrhOOd.
Shy little violets bOrdered the grayelled
walk leading to the low dOor-stOne, and
over beyond, in grandmOther's pet
field, millions of yellOw-hearted daises
nodded and beckOned to the soft even
ing breeze. Avoiding the treacherOus
pebbles, / cut quietly across TO the front
door, stealing with cat-like tread
through the long, narrow hallway, and
entering the sitting room on my tip toes.
Wonderful victory! Twice before /
had tried this wonderful dodge, and
each time had the old turkey gObOler
BETRAYED me. Where WAS he on this
occasion; and why, when | really need
bis services, did he not prove my friend?
Softly, softly, only step or two more.
The sensation of the next minute wasn't
anything TO speak Of; mean by that it
was indescrbable. The back Of grand.
mothers big arm chair quite hid the
occupant, and, nothing doubling |
made with great dexterity for grand
mothers ewes. | found the eye, but
I
knew that before their Saucy owner had
imprisoned my hands.
''WhO is IT," said he, like one first
awakening from u sleep. Let me
guess. The fingers are too little for
Madge, and too long to belong t.
sarah :"
found my tongue then. | would
lot wrench my hantN away. That
would be rudeueSS; fpr he evidently
supposed them the property Of some
intimate friend.
please release me" | said; and then,
a. he rose quickly apparently surprised
by the voice Of a stranger-l added,
rather ludicrOusly, / suppose, for the
tall fellow ia the shirt sleeves laughed
right heartily, IL thought you were
grandmother"
Never was taken for an old lady be-
fore" he answered, with provoking
nonchalance; and then added, as he
hastily threw on dressing gown,
''what do you think about it now"
If think | should like to know where
grandmother is and"
"And what am | doing here" he ill.,
'terrupted with another laugh. Your
grandmother has gone to spend the
evening with 3 sick neighbor. l be-
long to the next hOuSe-Or rather am
visiting my sister. She was uneN-
pectedly telegramed away, and as |
have been i'll, and am not quite well
enough To take care of myself in the
absence of a hOuSekeeper, your blessed
grandmother offered to look out for me
until nv sisters return. My name is
David Alcott, and yours, take it, Is
Miss Susan Ellis" And then weshOok
hands.
That evening marked a new era in
my life. l was comfortable, as was al
ways the case at grandmOther's, and
was happy tOO-haPpieT than had
ever been before. What it meant WAS
of no sort Of consequence TO me then.
did not stop to aGalyze my sensations,
but enjoyed to the utmost the strange
entertainment fate had placed before
me. Mr.. AIcott showed where grand
mother had left the strawberries after
tea, and then | skinned q pan Of morn
ing's milk, and prepared my supper.
'You have oeen to tea, Of course" |
inquired of the gentleman, who had
again taken up his book.
ayes, but should like few straw
berries, ifyOu can spare me sOme.' SO
il CHANGED that he drew n chair up to
the little round table, proving most
interesting companion. ,
In an hour or more after our little
meal was over, ] sat on the door stone
alone, watching for grandmother.
Then he came to the door and said:
"You needn't expect her before 3
O'Clock. i wish could sit here with
you"
"And why not ." | asked.
Because I am still IN quarantine.
Perhaps / might make it pleasant for
YOU indoors. IfyOu are fond Of being
read to, will do my best"
"And there is nothing | am fOnder
Of" answered, and followed him into
the house.
"Make your selection" he said, point
ing to a table quite OVERLAND with books.
SSomething of hers" / replied, pick
ing up an edition of Mrs. Browning.
"Ail right! now to please me, open
at random, and will read there"
laughingly assented, and placed my
forefinger plump on Lord Walters
wife
but why do you go: said the lady, aS both
sat under the yew,
And her eyes were olive in their depths, as
the krakeu beneath the seal blue,
because fear YOU" he answered. because
you are too fair.
Ana hDle LO ny NsLA IL . AAAS'A- u
your golden hair,
"Please don't go on" interrupted.
al like the poem, but someway 1t isn't
pleasant now"
"Hsrdly appropriate" he answered,
closing the volume dreamily, and then
added:
"I suppose you think Lord Walters
friend fOOlP
"He Is the type of large class; but
MIR. Alcott, are We not treading on dar'
gerous ground? Do you know what
lies just beyOnd"
ayes, that most exasPerating ques'
ton Of "woman's rights Aurora
Leigh settles that for me-"
"sIt takes q soul to move q body
he repeated slowly. at takes high
souled man to move the masses, even e
a cleaner style. 1t takes the ideal Il
blow a hair. breadth of the dust Of the
actual. All! your Fouriers failed-bs.
a. 80,