The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-04-18
WELL WON,

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were both rivals for Mrs. Linden's hand
and TO an outsider their chances OF win
nlng seemed about equal. Her it'll,
daughter Edith settled tho Difficult
choice in this unique way:
Mamma" she said one day, what II
a nusans?" :.
"a nuisance, darling?"
"fes. Mr.. Everton said l was a little
nusans yesterday. What does it mean p
ut means that you are a troublesome
little girl, Pm afraid" laughed Mrs
Linden, turning her eyes away consider.
ately from Ev~erton's crimsened face,
II amt n bit twoublcsomeW ex.
claimed Edith, Indignantly. BE !,
Doctor"
Now no mother, however, sensible.
likes to have her child called a nuisance
and Mrs. Linden treated Eyerton a little
coolly for some days after this unlucky
speech. But there was something 80 Sc.
ductive in the charm OF bis words and
manner that the old spell returned, un.
tt there was times that she almost be.
iieved she loved him. But Mrs. Liuden
instinctively loved the good and the
true, aud there was something in DR..
Livlngstone's simple honesty and ster.
ling goodness, II he had the courage to
urge his suit, that would have turned
the scales in his favor. As it was thew
hung very evenly, Mrs. Linden being
puzzled to decide which of them she
liked best. .I-0Is|-
1t was while in this doubtful, unset.
tied state OF mind that both suitors
broached the subject that waa 20 near
10 their hearts, Everton with n boldness
and confidence that have won many a
woman from less assured but more
worthy men; Livingstone with n tren.
ping eagsrness which showed how
highly he estimated, how much he fear.
ed to lose the prize for which he was
striving. To. both she had only one
aaswer-that she would decide and let
them know before her departure, which
was lea at hand.
Mamma. do you love DR.. Living.
.
Now as this was a question that she
was just asking her own heart, Mrs.
Linden was not a little startled at her
words. -
What makes you ask that, Edith 2"
well, but do your" persisted the
child. HE asked me last night II /
wouldn't teach you TO love him. l said
you didn't need to be teached. Was
that right?"
"You shouldn'tsa say such things to Dr.,
Livingstone" said Mrs. Linden, herface
all aglow with bushes.
"Why?"
This being a question not very easy
to answer it remained unanswered.
But DO you love Dr.. Livingstone,
mammal? repeated Edith, renewinethe
with fresh zeal and energy.
II think-I do" responded Mrs. Lin.
den, slowly, replying more to the cues.
IN her own heart than to that upon
the sweet lips lifted SO eagerly to hers.
At this opportune moment the doctor
entered.
Br%eakingaway from her mother, Edith
ran to meet her. l.l w. .Uron'. .H B..
mamma does love you! She just told
me sol"
Holding Edith's hand in his, DR..
Livingstone stood before her mother,
his iace flushed with hope and joy.
"kate!-Mrs. Linden!-does this dear
child speak truly?"
The new aud sweet revelation that had
come to that questioning heart was very
clearly mirrored in the eyes that we're
lifted to his, making the words that fol-.
lowed scarcely needed. .a. &.
"She speaks truly!" sh 41a-
With a sudden movement Dr., Living.
stone clasped both mother and child to
the breast that was to be their shelter
and protection through all tho years
that followed.
Edith announced this unwelcome fact
to Mr.. Everton the next morning and in
a..manner so unique and original that we
cannot forbear trapscribing it.
You can't be my papa! DR.. Living.
stones going to be my paps!" she
shouted at him across the breakfast
table, to the no small amusement OF
those present, among whom Mrs. Linden
fortunately was not one, not being yet
down. .
Mr.. Everton left tho following day,
taking with him a very clear realization
OF how small was the hand that had top
Piled down the castle he had taken SO
much pains 10 rear. -.