Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-05-27
THE UNCLE'S CHOICE.

"Do you know you are distraetingiy
pretty in a temper?
"And you are excessively imperti-
nentw
Miss Lynde drew her slim figure to
its full height and flashed indignant
eyes upon the gentleman opposite.
"And So" said Robert Window, his
manner assuming sudden warmth,
"you consider m impairment because,
to my eyes, you are the lOveliest woman
in the world, and, therefore. 1 have
asked you to marry me, whether my
uncle likes il or not??"
The young man was thoroughly in
earnest now, and poured out his words
without reference to rhetoric or effect.
SIT is precisely that to which | OBJ
ject," interrupted Miss Lynde, imperi-
Ously. "Listen to me. You come here
where 1 am employed as governess, o.
tensibly TO visit the lady of the house
in realit y to see me. You waylay me
on the street when | 60 out to walk {;
you annoy me, and astonish Mrs. Bur
dette by asking for private interview;
and when you tell me, with your usual
assurance, that you would like to marry
me, although your uncle, upon whom
you are entirely dependent, nas em-
phatically refused his consent, you
leave my possible feelings altogether
out ofyour consideration. Mr.. Window,
you should remember that have my
own dignity to uphold, and that am
not a scheming adventures, trying to
thrust myself upon an unwilling fam
lily"
Miss Lynde stopped, breathless,
though in her excitement her gray eyes
still flashed dangerously.
"At least you have been very plain
spoken" said Roger Window, bitterly,
standing a. he had listened, with his
black brOws contracted and arms folded
upon his breast. "And now, perhaps,
Miss Lynde, you will permit me to
answer you. have very little to offer
in defence, except that l have been
foolish enough to love you madly from
the moment that first saw you smile
and heard you speak. have no eX-
cuse ready fer my reprehensibie con-
duct in waylaying you on the street
none for asking you to accept the de-
votion of my life. Pardon me that in
dwelling upon my own selfish hopes |
have failed TO consider the delicacy of
YOUR position, But / will not trouble
you farther, Miss I.ynde | will bid you
good day"
"Stay moment" interrupted the
lady, with OBTAINING gesture. "Nlr.
Window, you have slammed me into an
apology for my ungraciOuS Words
with smile void of all eoquetry in its
perfect frankneSs. "Gou do not know
what my life has BEEN" she added,
gently. Even rs q child | knew what
unhappiness meant, for my poor moth
er married, even as you have wished
me to do, against the wishes of her huS-
bands family. In year he was tired
Of her-aecuSed her of having spoiled
his career; finally, he deserted her. Be
fore my poor mother died she told me
the sad story. / promised her then
that would never marry as she had
done; and, so help me Heaven! | never
will" The beautiful eyes were full of
unshed tears as they were raised to
Roger WINDOWS face, and the girls
voice trembled slightly as she went on.
al thank you indeed for the honor you
have done Iue; | will even acknOwl-
edge that under different circumstances
i might have learned 10 love you. But,
as II is, it is better that We should
never meet. Do not come here any.
mOre-dO not see me again, and you
will soon forget that such an inSigniti-
cant person exists as Janet Lynde."
As she ceased speaking Miss Lynde's
pale face was lit up with an April smile,
aud the hand she had extended in token
of farewell was firmly clasped between
two larger palms.
al shall never forget you,r said the
young man, passionately, his brown
eyes looking with triumphant glad
ness into hers. "And l shall love YOU
until the hour Of my death. This
shall tell my uncle, and If he still per-
sists in refusing to give his consent,
without knowing yol, or even so much
as hearing your name, then henceforth
he and i are strangers. For, Janet,
what you are not allowed to share
neither will possess nor enjoy; and so,
darling, for long time goodbye"
Before Miss Lynde had quite recov-
cred herself, Roger Window had kissed
the little hand so closely imprisoned in
bis own, and was gone.
For long time she stood IS he had
left her, with hands hanging helplessly
at her side, and with her head down
cast.
She was not 8 beautiful woman,
scarcely y noticeable one amOnga num-
Der, and yet there was something noble
in the pose Of the proud head, in the
resolute curves of lip and chin.
1t was a face whose beauty and intel
ligence grew upon you as you gazed-a
fice that inspired involuntary conf
denee and belief in truth and good
ness.
HPrsy, Mrs, Burdett, who is the young
lady across the way from u.s."
Mr.. Samuel Window was addressing
himself TO his hostess, q well.preserved
matron intent upon being agreeable to
her rich guest,
inThat Is Miss Lynde, my governess,
really a superior young person, and the
children are devoted to her. explained
the lady, with much graciousness.
Janet, in blue lawn dress and broad