Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-08

blossoms she said to Allerton, looking up
into the iowerladen orange trees above
their heads and speaking merely to break a
silence which was growing oppressive. The
small boy dashed away. Coming back, a
moment later, he held out to Grace hands
full Of the waXen beauties she had wished
for.
Here" he said, shyly.
You brought these for me? How very
nice; what made your
80 that you'd smile at me again" the
child answered. What he wanted cam
swiftly, dazzingly, but Allerton's voice
frightened the grasp On her heart and the
smile faded.
There is q compliment dainty enough
to have come from q c%ourtier, and honest
as well-but Miss Alyng is doubtless so well
used to such speeches that she hardly needs
them"
His words cut her ike a sudden blow;
she failed to catch the faint bitterness
they held; he seemed the anne as of old,
his manner saying so much more than his
words; how natural for a woman to think
herself of special valve to him She clenched
the hand that held the blossoms so tight
that q stray thorn pierced her glove.
What is it?' asked Allerton, seeing her
start.
Nothing" she responded, as if her
heart were breaking at his indifference,
"only l have Just found out what it takes
some people years Of wretchedness and mis-.
| ery to learn-that thorns may Turk among
orange blossoms" and. holding up the
thorn, she smiled at him as if a thought
that connected his life and hers were be-
yond imagining.
His face darkened, and he made nc an
swer. The girEsi voice went u
Thank you, again, little boy, for giving
me these Lovely flowers, and some other day
| III come ana ind'you, if you live about
here. But uow, Mr.. Allerton, do you know
that if we stay much longer in thus dreamy
place, you will miss your train and your
| friends at Tocol2'
He did not speak, nor did he seem in
| haste, but he turned as she did and walked
| slowly beside her. She talked on rapidly,
reckleSslv, not caring what she said.
I'm sure YOU will find the Acklamaha
charming. Perhaps you do not know that
it is the proper thing to see a great many
aligators up there, but it is. We saw fifty
/ four. but l am quite determined not to be
outdone in the matter OF slligators; If | meet
any one who saw NOR | shall make a new
count. and be- convinced that l saw a hun
dred. This is the way they do in politics,
is it not?
Her nonsense was evidently hardly heard;
her companions fac showed him grayely
rreoccupied, and his answer was at random.
A moment of silence ensued, during which
she wandered if she could live through
many more like it. Then Allerton stopped
before an old stone, saying something about
being interested in epitaphs. She found
hat she had still the power OF speech.
ayes" she said, sis it not droll what people
will put on tombstones? Did you ever hear
hat touching and impartial Inscription put
mn by a double-befeayed vile in memory OF
two departed lords
s'Here lies two husbands,
A wife bereit,
Richard on the right hand,
And Henry on the Left
AIIerton smiled despite himself but made
no effort to keep up the conversation. Her
desperate bravery ebbed and went out; her
last hold on life seemed to give way as 81
Ience again fell between them. Through the
leaves filtered with sunlight checkering the
Green with light and shade, but it neither
| br;gbteped nor cheered, for it fell over
graves: the song of q bird hoated down
from above, so sweet, but so sad, for the
bird sang over graves; the flowers she held
and those she wore sent their mingled trag-
rance up to her, but were not dear dead
tb;ngs ALWAYS covered with the sweetest
bIossoms. The world was made OF graves,
and her heart was the deepest OF them all
Down into the depths came q sound; she
conld not have told, at first, if they were
words, but something called her up, n up
20 a world that seemed suddenly turned 70
glory by the words that at last she heard.
II know now what has been the matter
with these three years. why the interest TaS
Oon out of everything; why no othe
Woman has charmed me tor q day. L max
YOU in my heart higher and sweeter 'haI
snv other could be. Ineyer was worthy o
con I never shall be, except that l low
yoD so-better than in the old days, Trace
RI;nS fool that / was to demand your fsltn
vonr confidence, and deny you mine!
I'm never let you 60 again if II takes m,
Efst;me TO win you back. Tel me L haV
not wholly lost ysu. Be merciful; speak {
"
Seal to him! She had no voice to
,Daach NOR power to lift her white eyehd
onJ Let him read the JOY she felt, de onl
saw her downcast face, paler than it was o.
fore. and his voice grew husky as ne spok
lain. "Am ] too late? lsthere some on
afssY' he asked, winter than herself. =,
a voice, not hers, rang through the sun
rsss "AIlertonl AIlertonr it called 20
are going to be left"
= Coming" was his brief answer;
His one word broke the spell she hite
- him sweet startled eyes, full OF the Iea
oSb;s GOING. BE caught his breath. y
= tTueY' he whispered r~sPturously. h'
fsce dropping again but no longer Pa'
seemed to give him answer enough lor
second his eyes closed to shut in the ecs'
tic vision, then: ~
aAb, II is maddening to have to leave y
-" he exclaimed. Yes must 60
Toco9 to-day. / viii 90 no farther Lo'
- me srain, my darling, my darhngi IN
ID NAV know what it is I am coming "a
to-" m.rnaI