Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-02
CHAPTER III.
4 PRETTY woMAN AND A FOOL.


Fate decreed that just q. this time Caro-
line and SybiI should each get lover. An
elderly couple Of good family and fortune,
OooRt.le By name, lived 10 the neighbor-
hood; aud these having bat one child, q
/ son, who would inherit large estate, de-
cidsd to give him profession that he might
escape the dangers Of an unemployed youth
he WAS sent into the army and was at
present upon leave.
Egertou Doolittls was tall young man,
slim, with Ii sht hair and lisping speech
HisattrsotiouS, If be had any. were neither
OF body nor of mind; for as to the body he
was feeble in gait, with long legs Of made
uuate thickness. aud he was destitute Of
eyebrows. The utmost assiluity also failed
70 bring out mustache, although hs used
capillary fluids Of appalling strength, right
" iudging that for q man with military
care before him a certain amount OF hair
on the face is as essential as uniform or q
sword. His mind was of similar pattern
weak. reclining aud iuane; in word,
he had drawn the line between sanity aud
imbecility with a most battling nicely. He
walked with his head little on one side,
dressed in the top Of the fsshiou, wore as
many different suits as there are hours 10
the day, lost money mildly at cards, aud
came to church regularly every Sunday
morning, saying his prayers out OF a book
the size OF q sixpence. He had a credit
able desire TO read only such publications
as were likely to improve his mind, aud be
always inquired it work vas erroneous or
not, saying that he was afraid lest be might
be led into the psrusal of something efFo-
neous, aud might never fod it out He
admired women aud sdored clsverness,
frankly coutessiug that be had none OF bis
own, and thought it such a useful thing
you know" Indeed, he might have set for
the immortal Too's, with whom he had so
much in common that fear readers may
think Eserton Doolittle only study of
that great prince of noodles. But Eyer
ton Is nsu by himself in spite of re-
semblsnce which IIiriy suggests that be ir
no more than a reflection.
he met Car Temple at ball aud danced
with her, and the young lady, true to her,
self. inquired, in one of the paTses of the
dance, if be had read Alison's History of
Europe" Doolittls, whose weakness was
not historical study. was able, with toler-
sble fescines, to assure herthat he had not
BE then sank into silence, that this part OF
the conversation might settle into his mind.
Presently be inquired,
rs that work you spoke Of just now
very big work.
Very big" she answered.
more than one VoldmeY he asked, re-
solved MOI to let the talk flag.
"One volume" replied Caroline. "A
dozen, l dsrssay."
"a doxenl" exclaimed Doolittle. BE
vas SO oyervaslEed 81 this statement that |
he did not alter muscle OF his face not |
emit syllable foS fall five minutes Then |
he began again:
you haven't read it, have your
"0h, dear, yes" Caroline replied, with |
the confidence of pEactised stndeut
"The whole dorea volumes" inquired
Doolitt!s, who could scarcely bslievs his
ears.
This whole dozen voluues," Caroline
rspstiuy bis words with noEun-
graceful plsYfnlnsss.
Then you must he trsus ldousIY clever
IiFl," hs said, gszirg a: Ter with profound
admiration sOS sVs.
Clever, bec3uss have read twelve vo'.
imesP cried G srolins, who had a sprighdy
Wit. II shall rsad twelve hundred, and see
ghst you say tSsn."
mo" Egertpn said, grs7ely; "you will