Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-01-13
a LOST KEY.

Edgar Arnton had made a highly i'm
portant discovery, and one that troubled
him. He was surgeon, anG one given
to examining hearts. For Il full hour III
the gathering summer twilight of the
palk avenue, he had applied his sternest
faculties TO the testing, in another sense,
of his own. The decision 10 which, very
unwillingly, he came, was that his dim
suspicious of the past three months were
well founded. He was in love. The thrill
which had gone through him aS he clasped
Kate GerrOw's hand OH leaving her uncle's
gate that very evening had pointed in that
direction. The expansion of soul and the
exhilaration Of mind which he continual
ly experienced in her presence, the long
ing that often seized him ia his moments
of professional disgust and wearress TO
feast his eyes, if only for an instant, on
Kate's bOnny face, all drove home the un-
welcome conviction.
In the course of his final turn along the
broad path between the whispering pop
lars Edgar formed Il resolution. Entering
Brixby he encountered the very friend he
desired to consult.
Mr.. Trent was solicitor, many years
the young medical mans senior, and his
only coniidant in all the countryside.
al you are dsengaged for ten minutes
or so, Nj. Trent" said Edgar, 81 should
like to have a talk with you about Mr..
Gerrow's neice."
81 am perfectly at your service. You
are smitten by great appreciation OF Miss
Gerrow's charms. have seen il coming
Il long time"
Edgar smiled Il little sardonically in the
dimmesS.
"Its "a lawyers business to be far-sighi-
ed" he said. II have found it ont now
the fact OF which you speak-and, I'm
afraid, only just in time"
A harshness was in his tone which sur
prised the listener.
Il do not understand" said Mr.. Trent.
"Why, | mean that, had the disease
gone further. might have proved unable
to overcome it, as | mean To do now"
"You astonsh ME more and more.
Miss Gerrow is beautiful, of good birth,
aud we'll educated. She is an heiress into
the bargain, and if she cares for you and
your uncle consents, what possible obsta-
Gle can inter yeney"
"YOd have said, returned Edgar, mood
ily, "she is an heiress."
The lawyer bit his lips to keep from
loud explosion OF misplaced merriment.
"The very thing that, whether she were
pretty or plain, would make her quite all
attraction to her suitors."
IL am aware of il, but am not like the
majority. am poor, my prospects are
b-.ren enough. All the world would say
I was fortune-hunting-marrying for
money, if it came TO marriage. She
might learn to think so, too, and that |
could not bear. have seen plenty Of
this already-in my own family"
The concentrated pathos of the last sem
tence, and the involuntary sigh which
concluded il, touched the solicitor. His
meditated words Of bantering remon-
STRANGE were not uttered.
"what shall you do, then?" he asked.
"Shun the danger, fight the temptation,
work harder | cannot run away as ia
other circumstances | might be tempted
to do; my living lies in Brixby. But you
can help me considerably in the struggle,
If you will"
81, How?'
"when you see me running any risk Of
a tete-a-tete with Miss Gerrow and you
can possibly interfere, DO co."
"And make you hate me for it. I will
not promise"
81 shall not hate you'll shall be very
grateful. l must meet her frequently at
the houses of mutual friends. You will
often be able to make me your debsor in
the way say"
The route the pair had taken brought