Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-04-19


10 eSteBd their acquaintance to his family
So intervention. and Picnic was nineteen,
aud Der fits Of temper" and discomfort
instead Of wearing themselves out as her
sisters hoped, seemed to become more ire
quent.
One Of them had occurred Just the day
before. An event bad come into their lives
and set Janet and Bride discussing so seri-
ously how they were to act.
The event came first in the form Of 9 let
ter handed to Picnic from the window OF
hetiny Post-0 Gce, which during the visitors
season was sometimes besieged by an eager
crowd carried home BY her in q state OF
eager curiosi'y-frst, because it was so
strange for DR. Msclean TO get letter at
all, and secondly, beause it bore the post.
mark of Halifax and had an American
s,snp.
IL proved to be letter Of introduction,
written in simple easy fashion, from an
old chum of the doctors college days, who
had long ago settled In the New World, and
had been lost sight of by his friends in the
Old. j should say rather letter OF recon-
mendation, for it explained that the writer 5
son had Just come over the big pond to
make tour in Europe-s reward, the proud
father wrote, for diligence and success In
study-thst his plan Of travel would en-
brace the Western Highlands, and that his
father wished very much that he should make
he acquaintance OF his old friend. DIR.
Derrick wrote in the semiromantic strain
that is apt to oyerwhelm q man when he
digs up the memories of his youthful days.
Time and distance had softened down much
that was essentially commonplace in the at
lachment between himself and DR.. Msclean.
\ feeling akin to selfpity stole into the
latters heart when he remembered that he
had been utterly content to let this man, who
seemed TO cherish 50 warm sentiment to-
ward himself DRIFT into the unused corner
OF his heart that was full of only lukewsrm
memories.
Ii stirred him all the more to feel an 10
terest in the youth be was asked &c welcome,
and there was something OF his youngest
daughters expression in his face when he
communicated the news to the elder ones.
They looked at each other in the timidly
mysterious fashioned in which inexperienc-
ed women face the problem Of life. .
"a young-man-to come here SAID
Janet.
Bride finished the train of thought There
is Picnic" she said DR.. Macleau blum
dered into their meaning manfully.
What of Phemie?' he asked. This is
only q lad-at least" referring to the letter.
he has Just completed his twenty-hrst year.
phemie il a child vet.
Nineteen" said Bride.
Of course she and Janet knew nothing,
never dreamed of knowing anything OF that
mysterious impulse that makes the world
go round. Love was vague, uuimagin'
able sensation TO them, a story book excite
ment, altogether beyond their range-out
there was PhemIe, and Picnic was dit,
ferent.
DR.. Maclean found the suggestion swk
ward-theretore he chose not to entertain 1t.
I'VE must let the lad come, he said, and
make him very welcome-this letter gives
me an address to him. | will write at once.
Or stsy"-with vague recurrence OF pa
rental guardianship-"it, upon thinking II
over you two see any great objecuons?--l
will leave you to discuss 1t until Leone IN
from my rounds.
And he hurried off with fresh vigor in
his STEP as if this message from the outer
world had stirred his pulse pleasantly, and
Janet and Bride sat over their work In the
bow window aud talked in low, serious tones
until Picnic interrupted them.
Of course, the doctor wrote and told young
Christopher Derrick 10 come. When he got
out on the moor, with the fresh wind blow,
ing in his face, those vague scruples and
shadowy misgivings floated away. dis little
girl (tor 50 he tenderlY designated Phemie)
must take care of herself-it would De
soemething too refreshing to have a strange
and travelled youth at his Preside; it would
be good for Picnic, too, to see something
bright and young. The doctor smiled as
he thought Of the disparity between his
children, then he sighed and wished for the
hundredth time, that one Of them had been
a son. And then he put his pony faster
over the boggv ground, and made haste 70
finish his work so as to get home and write
that welcome to the stranger guest.
1t was the beginning OF October when
Christopher Derrick arrived at st. Neots.
He came like a burst of sunshine, or great
Whit of pure air, or anything else suggestive
of cheerfulness and light.
He was a tall, broad shouldered young
man with a rich complexion and very dark
ewes inherited from his French-Cauadisn
mother, and with hesrtiness aud freedom
of manner that was thoroughly English
Perhaps his American up bringing had ca
HANGED the latter trait, he was so thoroughly
sure Of himself, and so positive that every
one else would take him at his own valua
ton. His seltcon6dence was entertaining,
and served to put him at once above the
level of his hosts while it entirely lifted from
their shoulders any responsibilities as to his
feeling himself welcome.
The doctor and Picnic had been out
when he arrived as he had LETT the date un
certaia, there was no use in meeting the
coaches. and they came in late one after
noon to find Janet and Bride talking to the
youth in the sitting room overlooking the
loch. Or, rather, he was talking to them
he was standing by the window admIrng
the view which said was perfect in Its way,
but wasn't it little shut inn
Just az he got so far, Phemie entered, aud
he turned with a formal bow as Bride said
my sister" 1t changed into a delighted
look of surprise, which he frankly explained
afterward to Picnic herself.
Il really thought every one was old here
YOU see." he said, and I'd been reckoning
on dull time. But you and shall be
great friends, I'm SURF"
Phemle smiled and blushed. This was
the day after Mr.. Derrick had arrived, aud
already they seemed like old friends. To
her lot it had fallen to show him the imme'
diater beauties of the vicinity; the doctor
could not devote his whole day,to his guest,
and he had annexed Phemie with the
greatest composure. -,
I'm sure Miss Phemie will come out With
me-" and the elders seemed to fall at on0e
into his easy way of taking It for granted
that he should have the society Of the young
girl, who frightened visibly under the new
strange influence.
His wonder at Phemie' life was great; the
contrast it presented 10 anything he had