Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-30

we're indirectly communicated to her by
her iusulted sdmirer who, as hss been said
had net Sopdia's lover while abroad.
There resided in KsttleWell, widow of
good family and small fortune, by name
Mrs. Hands; and Mrs Hands, relishing the
fat living OF the house of Done, and the
house of Done being grati6ed by the aroma
of aristocrscy that hung about Mira Hands,
there came about an alliance between the
two, offensive and defensive, which was al
WAYS most enthusiastically maintained on
the widows side about lunch and dinner
hour. Mrs Hands was q woman who had
seen a great deal Of the world, and could
converse sgreeably. She had beautiful
set Of teeth which made her smile great
deal, and q Jolly laugh which caused people
to feel comfortable, and between the laugh
aud the smile she had q reputation for
thorough good nature. She was known in
KettlsWell; she carried gossip with the
puuctuslily of a postman; she had broken
of two matches by her solitary act and
deed; she was q kind Of parlor earthquake,
makiug splits and assures and shskings in
Vulnerable in hitherto stable households;
and yet for sll this the true character OF
Mrs. Hands was not suspected, aud every.
body seid she was such good-humored
woman that it was pleasure even to see
her. Which shows reader, what can be
done with beautiful set of teeth, and g
smile and jolly laugh discreetly inserted
in the talk now and then.
Mrs. Hands was no favorite with Mrs.
Temple. That prudent woman mindful OF
an enemy's craft and malice, never said
What she thought Of the widow; but she
knew, and the widow knew. In her way,
Mrs. Hands feared the superior and more
scientific wording, as was SHOWN by the
contraction OF her smile aud the reduction
of her laughter whenever Mrs. Temple was
by. But Sophia liked the widow and
thought she had good heart
0ne morning about four months after
the Done episode, Mrs. Hands called on
Sophia and there vas to be seen on her
face remarkable solicitude and depression
so much. that Sophia asked after a little
casual talk, if anything had disturbed her.
Disturbed me-" the widow exclaimed
20 Sophia, my heart ia bleeding this morn
iug"
"FOr wsat1' Sophia asked "For any
body know
For yourself, dear girl. Now / will not
keep You in suspense. Is it not true-l
know it ia true-thst you are still in your
heart keeping up with the clergymsns son,
Percival BrentY
Sophia turned white as death. Two or
three strange whispers about Percival had
reached her esrs from different quarters in
the last three weeks.
Have you had any news Of hlm2 Is he
ill?' she ssked, aud yet illness was not
what she feared.
Sophia, dear girl" the widow said, re-
garding her with eyes that were absolutely
moistened-by what art or emotion know
NOT, nor could the widow have told herself
-"Percival Brent is bad young man
unworthy OF you unworthy of your love.
What do you mesu2' SOPHIA asked,
drawing herself up with a kind OF proud
rebuke, which yet had threatening OF
tears in It's very indignation. Nothing
bsd can be true of him."
Nothing good, Sophia the widow re.
Piled shaking her head rslgiously. 1T is
sad for me 10 tell it to you, but it is my du-
ty. desv-and my privilege, too for who
would see you sacrificed to such fellow
"You must not talk SC" Sophia said, in
less resslute tone.
In the first place, dear, be has not been
succ sssful 10 his righteousness, whatever
you call it. He lost everything-or the
person with whom he was in partnership
has lost everything, or died, or something
urlucky snyhow-Breut is nowhere at all
in money matters.
That he cannot help" Sophia, said and
her heart revived
Perhaps not, dear; but he could help
being idle, being fond Of fast company
being fond Of drink-or, at least, OF being
at places where people do drink and all
that sort of thing. This has been his ruin,
far ruined he is"
Il don't see much In what you say So.
p5ia replied. Whenever a young man
fails in life, people are ready to blame him,
and ready to say, What could you expectT
and all that"
Yes but smoking, desr-drinkipg-
fast society"
We'll he always smoked, and he always
drank wine" Sophia answered holly 81
suppose once he has taken little too much
and of course spjteful people say that be
drinks and has ruined himself by it,
Had she really spoken hero mind she
would have said. One offense he has No.
yer committed-he has never been false TO
me; and therefore his peccaiilloes shall be
forgiven"
Sophia, Sophia the widow exclaimed,
there is more than that How young you
are to think that such things go alone
Percival is-welI, my dear, he is not over
particular about his morals, and that the
long aud short of it,
Tell me all you know" Sophia exclaim.
ed, turning on her visitor almost fercely,
and with eyes that enforced On instantan-
eous reply.
We'll, then, my dear, he has been ntrus
to you"
m Married." she gaspe1, toto Bessie
Warren2'
Never heard that name" replied the
widow" And he is not married, but a
great deal worse. He ia we'll known out
here for his liking for fast women and he
mas made quite scandal of himself with |
an actress--a married woman, l believe,
only her husband is in England, am told"
How do you know ell this2" Sophia
asked. Her voice was scarcely audible;
or she was now sure that her lover was
alse.
zone of my littIs birds told me-" the
widow replied, with q jauntiness that sick
ned poor Sophia. Forget him dear. Be
girl of spirit. Treat him as he deserves"
How do you know all this2' Sophia re.
'ested, putting her hand to her fore
lead and speaking in a tone of genuine
'nquish. Tell me how you know itH'
well dear, if you must know everything
and perhaps it is bstter-look here"
The widow drew from her muff a news
'spsr, and opening it, pointed to a marked
The paper was an Australian
ne, and the paragraph, as will be seen,
-