Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-02-24

him, my DEAR II Is always the BEST way
to be honest"
"You do not know" she answered,
lifting her tear. drenched face into the
moonlight that now streamed In soft
efiulgence through the open window,
what 1t means to US to have plighted
our troth. 1t Is only little less binding
than 3 marriage VOW, and above all
others, must not break mine; for, do
you not know my dying father promised
for me, and | may not soil his honor,
though might my owl?"
And from this we could not move her.
Denis was in despair, and not less
moved, for / loved these two children
dearly, and in my secret heart had
cherished the hope that they might one
day become something nearer and dear
er than friends.
Jean sobbed on little longer, while
Denis held one unresisting hand, and
the kindly shadows Of the calm May
night wrapped US all in soft obscurity.
Presently there came the sound OF
wheels and the tramping Of horses in
lie quiet street below, and then my lit
lie maid appeared with her lisping mes
= ge:
Baron Won Stock was waiting for
| Miss DOTSay.
SO Jean dried her tears, put her hat
over her dark, ruflled hair, gave her
hand calmly to Denis, kissed me hastily,
and then We were left alone. The horses
praCed below, and through the evening
air came jeans plaintiye voice. Then
the rolling wheels growing fainter in
tbs distance, and theu-silence.
Denis" l said, at length, "don't
give her up"
Don't give her up, Madam Octayia,"
be replied; "but what can / do? 1t Is
| she that gives me up, What can L
dO?p
$50 to her guardian, Mr. Havilaud.
and tell him. 1.-The has any remnant
| of youth left in his neart, he will try
and help you"
This | said, not unmindlul of Denis
good family, good looks, and his great
wealth. He frightened somewhat at
| this suggestion, and lett me later on,
more wiling to see some hope for the
future.
| did not see either of my children for
some days after that evening; indeed,
| | think two weeks had gone by; but
each day saw NE busily employed with
| NY pupils and an amount Of extra
work, that | scarcely realized the flight
| of time.
One afternoon, quite late, ~ sat cor
Ttctiug u very much Out Of drawing
| study, Jean come in. did net look up,
but welcomed her from my easel; sht
came across the room silently and sto'G
| u, :OTe HE without speaking.
well, NY dear / said, rubbing Out
| = ,oreSrm with a bit Of bread, at is Il
Ion" tine since you gladdeued my eye:
with sight OF your WiEsOme face"
lieu, a. she did not answer, looked
III. She was standing directly i'll front
OF ne, with the light iVom the north
| window full upon her. Her dress was
u long, soft, white null, with breast
! kuCi UfIiaTh Russian SIolcts. Sac heiu
, hrr a. IL her hand, and her sol. daIk
! hair i&y slightly moist upon her Hre-
| htaa. EuJ il was none OF these i"ocs
some that drew from me the startled
| (NCrsu,at.On:
".tSa, what nave you been doing t.
J yCu.~,li"" For she was perfec. colgr
| les with the palior that bet0keD"G
| sleyplyss nights and restless days, Hh.j,
! a.. the Tiny blue veins about her tenn
| e. were plainly visible, and Oeneath
he sweet eyes were dark purple shad
/ 0Ye. She gave = little laugh.
lob, nothing, Octavi0, unless break
| msULe's heart can be called an ocCupa
| item. have been doing that"
"Thtn you are very foolish | said
why should you break yDur heart, ant
| some ones else ~ well, when the RENE
| ~ les in your own hands"
She made no answer at first, thrilling
H. nervous way with the feathers on
hcr lat. Then in troubled VOICE: us
Il egiS yUu mean, Octavla.'
V 10 else shOdld it be?' | answered.
"Efl@k your own heart il you will,
child, hat ycu might have spared my
| buy's.n
spike quickly aad in temper, but !
gIitvcd when hal sad 1t. The gir'
started s. Ii Wounded and gave hong.
| quietly enough:
Dear Ma&am OcIaviu, in de
| Gliding IL | have. believe me, have
not spared myself hut | Gid moi
| cone To you To say ST. came b3caus
ain very miserable, aad al! alone, anu
| because | am mnthc:l"Ss.; aud 10 ask
| YOU to give him EenIS- Ih!s," laying
| y hrrle note uu the ledge of my easel.
Ned now will say goUd-hy, Octa
| via, She LETT me before could speak,
with the same hurt LOOK on her face,
and all that remained was the white
| note for Denis, and Que or two viOlet>
| ia; had fallen from her dress rs sh,
| moved away.
\ lew more days passed by, and sun.
| Gay morning, Is | sat over my late IT,.
ana toast, the door opened and jean
USnie in.
Have you forgotten me, my dear?"
Iasktd, as kissed her sweet mouth,
r,u en- berlDg my hard words few
| cv; ningS ago.
"Oh, indeed, Octavia, had rotHing
to forgive. Surely you ,uay hot -peak
| your mind to me, whD eau? See, J
have brought you the,e iilacs, Octavia
Baron Won Stock gave me such larg
aurch of them yesterday, and at once
| thcIgtt OF you and the dear, dusty stu
| lie. GOu know | always used To keel
| tie old plscy frightened up biz"
Then. as she separated the fragrant
| white fiowers and arranged them in any
two m2jUlica vases, she asked in a shy
| voice:
"Have ycu seen Denis, Octavia?"
NO, my little Jean; hCt | sent him
| your a"te."
Did YOU read it, Octayia?"
| My dear, no. | noticed it was unseal.
ed, but fsucled that an oversight, so
fastened it up tight and sent it on it,
way. You did not tell me to read it,
| jean"
at does not matter" she answered
Then, after q pause; at was OILY to
him, Octavia, that Baron Won Stock
| aid Mr.. Haviland have decided il shall
De on the 18th OF June"
made no reply, though | knew ii
was her wedding day she strOve to
speak Ofso calmly.
She came and rested her hands upon
my shoulder.
"You DO not answer me, Ootayia. Are
you then so inGltiersnt?'
"My child" | answered, "since you
have decided in your own heart what Is
b. It. why should reply?"
"Yes, that is true" Then, kissing
ne, al have tried, Octavia, indeed l
have, to do all for the best. | love
Dcnis-ah, how truly do love him
bat my VOID is pledged. What can l
do"