Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-04-15
SHE n HER MIND.

Msdge Rsdfsld, tossing her head. "1wish
Cousin Simon would let me pick out my
Own husband, and not force me to marry a
man l have never SEEN"
"But he doesn't" said her sister Clara.
He only said he wished you two would
marry, and after all he has done in paying
for your education 1 think he has q right
10 expect you to be grateful"
'It's all very well for you 10 theorize,"
was the %rstort, but you are not the girl
who has to marry him. 1 have made up
my mind not to marry George Carlyle"
and them Madge flourc ed out Of the room
and IN q lew minutes was seen scampering
down the road on the back of the little
pony FREELY. IL was late before she
Thought of returning, ard even then the
obstinate little beast became balky and
refused to turn. He finally compromised
By running off with her at full speed.
But FREELY evidently had a definite goal
10 view. Suddenly the golden ses of wild
sunfowers broke against the high stone
wall Of an orchard, and a little further on
on open gate swung half across the barrow
lane.
Firtfy cantered gsyly into The farm
yard, and, coming to o standstill, gave a
shrill whinny of satisfaction.
Il beg you to excuse me. My pony
brought me here. / assure you l had
moth ng whatever to do with the matter"
Madge laughingly spologized, So they were
confronted by q boy about sixteen, In
blue-jeau overalls, with very light hair,
which contrssted oddly with bis tawny
skin and small light eyes, which expressed
all the amazemeat Of which they were
capable.
The youth eyed the pony sharply, then
burst into a guff,w of smszement.
ITS our old pony that pap sold to Mr..
Graham, down Riverside way, q while
back. II gets homesirk and comes hack
Eere when it gets a chance. II you let It
stay 90 hour or two, it'll go back to town
like q lamb"
But what shall I do?" said Madge in
d:smay.
"Hev some dinner with as" promptly
returned the boy. We're goin' to hev
company dinner"
Madge thanked him, and said she
would stay-whereupSn she was led to
the kitchen AID introduced to ''marm," a
large woman with expansive crimson
cheeks.
"pm very glad TO see you dear" said
'imarm," besming elusive welcome, and
you kin 20 right into the ssttin'-room and
visit with SIR. George"
Msdge resigned herself to circumstances,
and allowed herself to be walked into the
sitting.rOom.
A very handsome young man lay nurs-
ing q spIaiued ankle on a cretonne covered
lounge, which was gay with yellow shep-
hsrdesses, on their way to blue pagodss,
bearing baskets of pink roses, and after p
brief introduction the hostess hurried
away.
A tremor &C surprise seemed 70 pass ever
Mr.. Georges expressive features as he
caught Mhdgs's panie and scanned her
bright face; but be said nothing which any
ordinary acquaintance might not have
done.
They talked Of books, travel, country
life, and o dozen other things, while the
minutes rolled by on little golden wheels.
Thea came dinner, aud then another
long conversation on the porch, where Mr..
George was settled to enjoy the mellow
October sunshine.
At last, when FREELY was judgedto have
fully satisfied her yearning for q sight OF
her old hsunts, Ma6ge started for home,
after cordial good byeS from all and a re-
quest from Mr.. George that he might be
permitted TO renew that acqusintane as
soon as his sprsinsd ankle allowed him to
90 to Riverside.
She reached home Just at the edge of the
purple dusk and found Clara awaiting her
with kisses andJeproachss.
When she had returned the e and dis.
armed The other By q brief explanation,
she Inquired mischievously:
And what did Mr.. Carlyle think Of my
Cd ence?"
"You wretch l verify believe you are
enjoying Mr.. Csrlyle's EanCied morti6ca-
tion," exclaimed Clara, giving her gentle,
~sisterly shaking. But, as it happens
she continued, "Mr. Carlyle wasn't here
either. A boy brought a note from him,
in which he said he had taken an earlier
train, so as 10 stop over night with his old
nurse, who is the wife of a farmer about
twelve mills from town, aud that he
spraineG his ankle by a stone turning
under his foot in TIE dark, so that he will
not be able to come here fox q few days.
But what are you laughing at?" she de-
msnded, as Msdge turned scarlet, then
laughed until she showed signs Of immi-
nent choking.
As o as she coald speak, she detailed
her adventure at length.
COT course Mr.. George was really
George Carlyle" she said. "He didn't
mention why ne was staying at the farm,
but l supposed he was staying there for
some reason"
"But you will be good, won't you?''
pleaded Clara.
"On the whole, l think l will, espsci-
ally as | like Mr.. Carlyle better than any
man l have ever met" said Sladge, after
q pretty, simulated delibaration Of nearly
two minutes, during which period Clara
was impalod on the thorns of anxiety.
And she kept her promise to the letter
when Mr.. Carlyle made his appearance IN
mis- own proper Chaiac er.
Not p cloud Of peryersity obscured the
sweet, bright ways that we're as natural to
her as its huss 10 a bird OF paradise; and
ere long the bud of mere liking, SO auspi-
ciorsly developed that day at the farm,
bad opened into the regal parple blossom
Of love.
why didn't you tell me who you really
we're at firs;?' MIdgs demanded n day
for the fltieth time; George Carlyle had
t~slsipely refused TO crafty her curiosity
on the forty-nine times prev u
Because Mr.. Wirslow had told me Of bis
letter to your mother; and as have 2 sister
who ia the dearest little fl,rt in the world,
| fancied | Nas well enough acquainted
with the ways of girls to know that it was
the very thing 70 prejudice you against me.
So when my old nurse, who has probably
nearly toIgntten that [ haveany other name.
introduced me simply rs Mr.. George l
was glad ofthe opportunity Of gaining yopr
acquaintance with my identity unsuspect-
ed"
yves it fate or FREELY that brought me
to You and made ne love you. when l had
made up my mind 20 be 81 hsteful?" muI,d
Madge. as she dresmily fogered the knot
Of flowers which she had just tucked into
Georges bu;tophOle.
800 ~ -