Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-08-17
WHEELING REGISTER, SUNDAY, AUGUST Il, 1890

no getting them before starting. At
Graham the telegraph operator showed
him the duplicates of the kilograms that
had come for him in his absenSe-only
two. One announced Mr.. Clark's sui
eide and Vincent's prostration and dan
ger. the other, two days later, briefly
read Mr.. Vincent died this morning.
Mrs. Vincent and Mabel fairly we'll"
Both were signed Gordon Noel, " and
a jealous pang shot through the poor
fellows heart as he realized that in all
their bereavement and grief it was
Noel's privilege to be with them and to
be of use to them, while he, her afli-
anced husband, was far beyond hail.
He was ashamed of his own thoughts an
instant after, and bitterly upbraided
himself that he was not thankful that
they could have had so attentive and
thoughtful an aid as Noel well knew
how to be- Yet why was not Reginald
sufficient?
He had torn into fragments the anon
ymous sheet that had met him at the
reservation, and yet its words Were
gnawing at his heart-StringS now, and
he could not crush them down.
"Why was your engagement denied?
Because she still cared for VIII ROSSiter
and hoped he might come back to her
after all.
"Why did Gordon Noel stay at the
other hotel the second and third times
he spent Sunday at Deer Park? Because
she wished TO hide from her mother, as
she did from you, that he came at all.
.'Whv does she meet him on the street
instead of at home? Because her father
intcrposed in your behalf; but all the
same YOU were being betrayed.
These words. or others exactly of
their import. were what met his startled
eyes at Chiricahua. but the instant he
noted that these carefully type written
sentences were followed by no signature
at all-not even the oft abused a
Friend -indignation and wrath follow
ed close on the heels of his amaze, and
i'm utter contempt he had destroyed the
cowardly sheet, but he could not so
easily conquer the poison thus injected
i'm his veins. All the long, long journey
to the east they haunted him, dancing
before his eyes. sleeping or waking, and
10 was with haggard face and wearied
frame that he reached the Queen City,
and, taking cab, drove at once to her
home.
1t was a lovely evening in early Octo-
Der. The sun had been shining bril-
liantly all day long, and almost every
where doors and windows were open TO
WOO the cool air now gently stirring.
The cab stopped before the well re-
membered steps, and Lane FASTENED to
the broad doorway. No need to ring:
the portals stood invitingly open. The
gas burned brightly in the hall and in
the sitting room to the left. He en-
tered unhcSitatingly and stood all alone
I'm the room where he had spent So
many happy hours listening to the
music of her voice watching the play
and animation in her lovely face. lie
caught glimpse Of his own, gaunt,
haggard. hollow eyed, in the mirror
over the old fashioned mantel. What
was he that he should have won a
creature so radiant, 50 exquisite?
There was heavy portiere that shut
off the little passage TO the library. His
football made no sound in the deep, rich
carpctiug. 1t was there she welcomed
him that wonderful Friday afternoon
that day that was the turning point, the
climax Of his life. Iark. was that her
voice. low, sweet, tremulouS, in there
now? Hush, Was that Sob?-a wo-
mans suppressed weeping? Quickly he
stepped forward, and in an instant had
thrust aside the second portiere; but he
halted short at the threshold, petriiled
by the scene before him.
Mabel Vincent. clasped in Noel'S en-
brace. her arms about his neck, gazing
mp into his face with almost worship in
her weeping eyes, raised her lips to
meet the passionate kiss of his. My
darling" he murmured. what can you
fear? Have YOU not given me the right
to protect you?" And the handsome
head was tossed proudly back. and for
one little minute was indeed heroic.
Then. with with instantaneous change.
every drop of blood fled from his face,
leaving 10 aShcn. death like
Gordon" she cried. what is il? Are
Won ill?"
Thcn, following the glance of his star
ing eyes, she turned and saw and
Swooacd away.