West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-12-13
need e d.y; he j0ked ma l.sghsd aa.

from Dehinu the ch0colate not Mr.
Marsh distributed the chops with
grave face.
Stella, sitting calm and pretty In a
red, ce-trimmed morning dress. laughed
and chatted with all her usual gaiety.
ihe stern regard Of Mrs. March, and the
awed and bewildered glances of her
nusosnd, passed over her graceful, FUZZY
head with utter lightness
Her chief attention, indeed, was cen
tered upon them. She was liateninr TO
Avery Wilson; laughing at his witt
cisms, which were copious. and respond
ing to his badinage with prompt and
appreciative brightness; behaving. in
short as q charming girl inevitably be-
hayes with charming young man who
openly admires her.
delightful day for sleiRhinQ,"
Avery observed, with his eyes on Stella.
isn't it." she murmured, without
looking through the window.
What do you say to turn up the
road, Marchf" Avery pursued, as he
folded up his napkin. ''l'll get double
sleigh, and we'll take 4 spin up, stop at
the Halfway House for something hot,
and be back by five. Glad thought of
~" he said, as he rose, with an unblush-
ing attempt TO imply that he had not
been thinking of il all the morning.
IN be round by the time you've got
your things on. Bundle up. Miss
The hall door slammed behind him a
moment later.
"How nice :" cried Stella, clasping her
hands in impulsive Joy. ''Tsn't he de-
lightful2"
She fioated to the door with a waltz
ing step. looking back, sparkingly, over
her shoulder, and flew up stairs.
Mrs. March stood in stony horror.
How can shel" she cried, in poignant
despair. How can she be so unprin-
cipled, so conscicncelessa She isn't dull;
she knows perfectly that Avery's in love
with her, aud that she's leading him on.
can't understand it; she seemed so
sweet. And l am sure Aunt Clara is
strictly religious. She couldn't have
brought her up SOTO be mercenary. and
shallow, and heartless fiirt. Pm
ashamed to think that she's relative of
mine, Philipin
IL was a delightful "spin" TO the
Halfway House; but the Halfway
House was at a distance of some FIVE
miles, and they were all chilly when
they entered its spacious, many-tabled
Chilly; but, so far rs Avery and Stella
were concerned, extremely lively. They
had had standing Joke oil the way up
about the blueness Of the latter's nose,
which Avery had insisted upon, and
which Stella had as strenuously denied.
They had bowed to parties they
didn't know, and laughed with puerile
gaiety at the effect of the performance.
They had eaten n marsh .mailow philo-
pena, the bet being polka-dotted calico
neck-tie against bottle of bandoline,
and had conducted themselves generally
IN the senseless, mirthful manner which,
regrosably enough, $50 deeply enjoyable
during the period Of youth
Mrs. March sat in cold silence, while
they drank their hot lemonade and
ginger, and while Avery Wilson and her
pretty cousin continued to ''carry onD
with subdued hilarity.
Philip looked panied and puzzled and
deprecating. The two were relieved
when the glasses were finished, aud they
had sent something comforting to the
driver, aud sauntered into the parlor for
a last five minutes by the stove.
Mrs. March grasped her husbands arm
determinedly as they entered its door.
81 shall not endure it, Philip" che
whispered. 81 can I see her going on
so; and poor Avery--I am going to tell
him. There now And hope he will
have the good sense to be glad Of his
escape"
And while Philip stared in apprehen-
sive alarm, and Stella straightened her
boa and twisted her veil into yet more
coquettish combination before the mirror.
Mrs. March talked in low and earnest
tones to a whi,e-faced young man in the
corner.
Whether it was the long, cold ride,
aud the succeeding hot drinks, OF the |
wearing strength Of her painful emotions,
or mixture Of both, is a subject for
speculation; but certain Il is that Brs.
March dozed oil the way home.
She was conscious-u unplcasantiy and
yet proudly conscious-of Avery's pale
and stern set face opposite her, and of
Stella's soft eyes raised 20 him ia fright
ened appeal; and she was conscious OF
nothing further.
She was coy aud comfortable, and the |
soap-stones were hot; and she sank into |
a peaceful sleep, with her head on her
husbaod's arm.
She was awakened by the clash Of the |
bells as the sleigh came 70 a standstill at !
her own door. IL was almost dark, but
Mrs. March could make out Avery's we'll /
enveloped form in the act of lifting Stella |
to the ground and she heaved a sigh of /
relief
She had been reused from a dreadful /
dream that Avery had poisoned him 1
self In her kitchen closet and that Stella 1
had laughed immoderateiy at the in
cideut
Indeed, Stella was laughing: so was
Avery 80 was Philip. Mrs. March stared \
at them all in the light Of the front |
parlor. Moreover, they we're all looking I
at her with peculiar brightness. Mrs. /
March's latent and certainly much.tiged 4
temper rose.
What is the jokew she queried, |
severely.
The jokes on you, my love-" her
responded, unsteadily, drawing /
her down beside him on the sofa.
decidedly on you, said Avery, glee-
fully.
Mrs. March noted that his hand rested I
on the farther side Of StelIa'e vast.
stop, both Of you ~ cried Stella.
She looked at her cousin with her eycs
shining with sweet sympathy, and sud \
denly broke away from the OBTAINING 1
arm, and threw herself down beside her. f.