Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-04-25
CHAPTER VI.


and darkness which in most cases is the
acknowledged preliminary to bedlsm.
CHAPTER vi.
THE REcToR's FALL.
Stick, gloves and hat all held in one hand,
the other hand already raised for the com.
mencement OF his speech, so the perturbed
clergyman broke into Mrs Barbara Tenn.
pie drawing room. He saw what might
have Gained his mind. The three girls
we're standing in group admiriDg draw.
ing which Sioyl had iustlbeen buying, and
their mother was deep in novel. The
girls looked up, and as the merry rector
was favorite in the house each fair face
turned to smiles at sight of him. Such
rays ought to have melted the angry man
into kindness; but no influence, kind or
stern, could have quieted him just then.
Young ladies'" he said, abruptly, ad,
dressing the graceful three, my business
is with your mother alone.
This odd innmation. considering the eH-
cited manner in which he made il, meant,
they thought. one thing only. Lightly they
vanished from the room, but even in going
they glanced Significantly at each other;
for the subject was so interesting that they
could not delay an exchange OF ideas even
till they got outside the door. The rector
was going 10 propose to msmma!
Mamma thought 80, too. She was not
often deceived, either BY her eyes or her
ears, bat for once she tsncied that the
tremor 10 the rectors voice, his flushed
cheek, his alcoholic manner, we're signs OF
lovers uneasiness. Indeed, as to the
manner, she without any hesitation ex'
plsined it as arising from wine. 1t was
still early in the afternoon, but Mrs. Bar
bara Temple was not angry. Teetotslisln
was not yet fashionable, and the little wo.
man rem srked to herself. Tie very often
give themselves flip 10 that way before
coming to the point. Pity when they overdo
it-aud yet don't know"
The rector might be clustered, hut Mrs.
Barbara Temple was calm AID pleasant.
She motioned him to seat-not upon her
OWE sofa, bat close to it; and then, laying
down her novel, she turned upon him with
her most gracious air.
Automatically $50 We say in this scien.
tifc age) he sat down, and, still TO continue
the the scientific style, by the actions OF
the law of grGvitstion his hat, gloves and
cane, which he let 90, went their different
ways 10 the dor. he did not notice the
fall. and Mss Temple began inly to COM
pute how many glasses be must have taken.
81 hope hs has not gone too tar," the pru'
dent woman Qsid to bersel.; aGd her hops
grew less aud less as the rector regarded
her with his red, confused vissge, saying
nothing for quite minute. Then he spoke:
Mrs Temple" he said. II thia morning
received tremendous lesson in the hollow.
ness Of the world
Mrs Barbara Temple was not greatly
skilled in mataphorical language especially
the pulpit sort, but as she knew that her
visitor was not the sort OF person TO make
rsssarche, into the interior OF the physical
globe. abe had no great officially in under.
standiug that he spoke of the human kind
under this universal symbol
We'll, WELL, she said, shaking her head,
that very often happens. The best thing
is to Ge prepared Cor it, Don't expect too
| much OF men aud women, and you will
learn 10 be good humored over their selfish.
ness and hypocrisy. After all, are we much
better ourselves? At any rate, let us keep
our temper
She stroked her dress OF these words,
brushing off some imaginary dust, aud
looking Cup at the clergyman, che aliled.
That" Ihe clergyman said, sOlemnlyr is
terribly frivolous view 10 take OF so seri'
Gus subject Then, seeing the woman
Of the world elevate her eybrows and smile
more coutem ptuously than before. be added:
Especially when the fault is our own. "
He lookei at her 30 directly, and with
such anger, that she was quite puzzled,
This could not be the opening passage OF
an offer OF marriage; and what could it be ?
Mrs. Temple. however, had faces and man.
les Tor all complication,
"Mr Brent, said she, whit iust the fsintsst
sign Of d;a;Guse about her, such as could
either be eifIced or deepaned according as
the occasion required, lam afraid you are
taking Of something which don't under
ball. "
MIRA. Temple" cried the over-excited
little man, lashed up BY bis feelings so that
he fancied himself judge, and invested
with judges rights, how old are your
For once in her cool, sel!-possessed life
Mrs. Temple was really dumfounded. she
looked at her visitor, hut found no word to
uttlr. and be, with an air Of the most pre-.
posterous indignation and triumph. faced
her shaking his head, pursuing his lips, and
p1ffng a. her in the most extraordinary
Style. At last she recovered her elf. She
was sorry to think it, but the rector must
be under the influence of wine.
Mr. Brent" she said, Il think we had
better take walk in the garden" She
hoped in this quiet way to lead him to his
carriage.
No" cried the hot little fellow. I'VE
shall net take 6 walk in the garden" he
sneered horribly 90 he repeated her words.
You have deceived me, Mrs Temple,
sbockinslyp
Deceived vool" she erica, ssv With de,
cided sternness 10 her voice. i am quite
bew:lissedf"
observation-disclosures" continued Mr..
Brent, beating time to each word, as if he
were counting in music lesson, that
you-jll'ed-a-gen-,le-msn-a-bout
-the-time-ot- the French - revolu.
tion." The astounding form of this cues.
ton, and possibly some fact 10 her actual
life which it brought ia sharp memory,
caused &rG Temple to change color. But
sbe was really too amazed to make any
answer. Mr.. Brent was now q kind Of draw.
ing room red Indian, and in the exact
frame of mind in which these children
Of nature begin to feel for their tomahavs.
And = did-you- Acknowledgements be-
ieve -that-you-are-for-ty- ave-snd
-no-moreT ha demanded, still hitting
his open palm as be emitted each mono,
syllable.
Amidst all her amusement Mrs. Temnle
could nov see in what style shs eight to
treat the man, and 80, s:sise with admira-