The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-06-26
lady BIS BUILER.

Miss NJ, is a pretty heiress, whose name
for obvious reasons we must suppress; Mr.
R, is a young diplonatist who iancIes be
has every chance Of becoming an embaasa.
dor before the last OF his shortcropped
locks has deserted him, Mr., r. has heard
OF Miss NJ. as being the owaer OF a won,
derfully beautiful diamond necklace, and
also as possessing more personal attract
ions than are supposed to belong to any
but interesting psupers. Miss NJ, on the
other hand, had been informed that Mr..
Il, was q very decent sort Of a fellow, with
the smallest amount possible OF Foreign
Office swagGer They met for the first
time under Lady BIS roof, and surveyed
each other with mutual interest from OPP
posite sides Of an deliberately decorated
dinner table. The necklace came up to
Mr.. RS expectations, but their owner
surpassed them, Not only was she pretty,
but also viVaClous aud evidently amusing
mot q painted, dressed-up doll, like the
woman beside him, got up for admiration
and incapable OF conversation. Not being
accustomed 10 admire without some sort
Of return, he left the doll TO the tender
merCies OF her leit.hRnd neighbor, and
devoted his attention TO Niles NJ, They
had grown quite friendly over 8 o'clock
tea, and now exchanged telegraphic
signs across the table about any small
episodes that arose during the din
ner. MIR. Il. thought he was get
ting on, and became 80 engrossed
that he neglected his iavorlte entTee and
had scarcely time TO do justice to the sad.
Ole OF mutton. But when the regulation
ice cream had made its round he noticed
q sudden change in the girl opposite to
him. She turned as white as her own
handkerchief, and leaned hack in her
chair silent and distracted, with wide
open eyes and parted lips. For the rest
oil the tune she scarcely talked at all, and
seemed incapable oil lying; but she
shook her head when he made 4 sign that
ne was ready 10 assist her out OF the room,
and kept her seat I'LL the ladies' rose and
flied slowly through the door. He would
have gwen much TO follow them at once,
because his curiosity was wildly aroused.
he was sure there was some mystery be-.
hind the SCENES, for she looked as II she
had received shoCk-seen ghost or dis
covered an unwished'for friend. As soon
az he could get away he looked around
the drawing room, and seeing Miss NJ. Sit
ing apart from the other ladies', and turn
ing over the leaves Of a photograph book
IN evident preOCcupation, he made his way
TO her, and standing before her, so as to
shield her from observation, asked In q
low voice ii he could do anything for her.
She looked up In surprise. Thanks, l
don't want any thing.
''But you are annoyed or ill-one or the
other. | shall never forget your look at
dinner"
add any one notice it2' eagerly.
"Not soul, except myself, Of course, I
don't wish 10 force your confidence, but II
can be Of any service to you"
mo one can do me any good" hur.
riedly. "oaly wish to heaven had
never come"
He looked at her with genuine compass.
sion, for he saw that she was shiverlng
from head to loot.
"shall fetch Lady B."
"Not for the world. l would tell you,
only you would think me so foolish" look
ing round to be sure that no one could
oveihear.
II promise you WON'T" earnestly, as
he took chair and sat down just in front
o. er, so that she should not have 10 raise
her voice. "pFay tell me-"
at was only DREAM" with the ghost
OF q smile. "Last night l thought | was
being murdered fer the sake Of this neck.
lace" playing nervously with the dia.
mond round her white throat, land |
woke up struggling with a mana man
with a long chin and reddish hair. |
felt should know him anywhere, and |
saw him to-day at dinner" with shud.
der, "handing the liquors"
"Why, that was Bird, the Butler. You
couldn't be afraid OF himP"
~ am" looking up at him with terror
in her pretty eyes, ~ am sure he will
try and murder me tonight. can't 20
to bed. Ishould never close my eyes"
and abe shivered again,
"You can 60 to bed and sleep In perfect
confidence. / tell you what I'll do for
you," and Mr.. X. smiled, feeling that be
was making noble effort. "0ur rooms
lie on the same corridor. have heaps Of
letters TO write-worse luCk-so that
must BIT up. Ill keep my door ajar,
which won't be noticed, as there is a
light in the passage, and my ears are no
sharp that l would defy any one 10 pass
II without my knowing 1t. Will that con.
tent youH"
"You are very kind but he might wait
till your letters are finished"
"ThSt will make no difference. pro.
missed to cit up till my hot waters
brought. VIII that satisfy your"
"Oh, but that's too much"
"Not at all. II you tell me in the morn.
ing that you've had a good night" with q
pleasant smile, II shall feel amply reward.
ed besides | can do with lees sleep than
most people, and I'm sure to take 1t out
before luncheon"
Miss M.expostulated, but he would mot
listen, being quite excited at the idea Of
rendering a service TO such a pretty girl;
and when the guests separated for the
night, and he whispered II haven't for.
gotten" she gave him so charming look
Of gratitude that his heart huttered like o
school boys.
Two o'clock A. NJ, with deCaying fire
and without the solace OF pipe. He had
written two or three letters inst to save bis
conscience, but the effort had been 90
great that lie wouldn't have begun another
10 save his lie. In order 10 rea6sure Miss
NJ, who might be on the lookout, he left
the smoking room on pretext Of head.
ache, and established himselisin his room
about midnight, Smoking and sleeping
were both out Of the question, and two
longer hours he had never spent In bis
whole existence. He heard doors open.
ing and shutting down stairs, suppress.
cd laugh at the last good story told amidst
tobacco smoke, the tread Of several pairs
Of feet In different directions, and then
silence.
Miss NJ. being no longer there with her
white face and her small figure oil Of o
ttemble 10 work upon his feelings, be be.
gan 10 feel his position pnlnently tldlCu.
lous. His excitement had cooled down,
hlB compassion had wansd like the moon
hul inHnilalv hOFAd and intensely Bleepy.,