Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-11-30
WHEELING REGISTER SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 80, 1890.
ould not refrain from giving him a


about that kind of society. Besides, l
am not at all sure that we shall be at
home in January. / should be glad to
escape the long winter, and we may pos
sibly move south when the cold weather
sets in"
And II you do go south where will
you go?" asked Percy, who felt that he
could not afford to accept snub.
THAT is quite uncertain. Dorothy,
dear, didn't you say that you wanted me
TO go TO some shops with you? And do
you see what the time isl"
After that Percy could only take him
self off as speedily as possible. Mrs.
Leslie's method of showing displeasure
was lacking in grace and dignity, but
she had every right to be displeased and
he had none to resent the very chilling
accents in which she oade him farewell.
Dorothy, if less undisguisedly angry, was
scarcely less cold, and the impression
which he took away with him was that
his chance of ever being forgiven, was
small indeed.
Carlton House terrace was perhaps
rather an odd place To go in search of
consolation; nevertheless 1t was to Carl
ton House terrace that he betook him
self straightway. His cousin was the
only person, except Lord Guise, to whom
he could confide even 4 portion of his
woes, and he remembered that she had
more than once displayed good ma
tured sort of interest in this second love
affair of his.
Lady Belvoir was at home, and the
speech with which she received him was
welcome one to his ears, because il en-
abed him TO plunge without preface
into his subject.
"Have You come TO ask for my bless
ing?" she inquired. II heard that you
were expected in Elbury street this af-
ternoon, and ! am so extraordinarily
clever that / can guess what crrand
took you there"
"You are very clever" he replied;
but like other clever people You some
times make a bad shot. | went TO Ell
bury street to say good-by. The fact is
that | have made up my mind to take Il
trip round the world, and | suppose
shall hardly be back before the begin
ming of next year"
Dear me" said Lady Belvoir. "And
what do you mean by that pray?"
'Oh, don't know; nothing in particu-
lar. want to see Bombay and Calcutta
ana Yokohoma and-and all the other
horrid places that the people talk
about"
'You look as if you did. And | Won
der why you wanted TO begin by seeing
me, and wonder what you think | can
do for you, and | wonder whether Dor
othy has refused you or whether You
only concluded for some insufficient rea-
son or other that she would refuse you
if you asked hero
"Well. she hasn't refused me, and
haven't asked her, and I'm sure | don't
know what the consequence of my ask
ing would have BEEN" said Percy, laugh
ing little. GAS TO what you can do
for me, / think that if you were very
good naturcd and kind you might give
me general invitation TO stay with you
in Westmorcland when | return from
this abominable trip
Consider yourself generally, not to
say particularly, invited" answered
Lady Belvoir: might Il bewildered
friend inquire once more what you mean
by starting off on Il trip which you call
abominable?"
This was very natural and eXcusa-
bic question; but of course it was not in
Percy'S power TO make any reply TO it,
After a moment of hesitation he said:
Il have reasons, but | am afraid |
can't tell you anything about them, eX-
cept that they aren't discreditabe or
diShonorable reasons
lone is relieved to hear that" OBJ
served Lady Belvoir, with twinkle in
her eye. ''One has acquired-quite
against ones villa certain knowledge
of the ways of men which leads one to
distrust ever the best behaved OF them.
However, my faith in You knows no
bounds: so that | am willing TO take
your word for it that you are going
away because you think you ought TO
see Yokohama. The only thing is, do
You really imagine that Dorothy Leslie
you come back, and to drop curtsy
when you are graciously pleased to offer
her your hand and what remains of your
heart?'
"Ah, that's just it. You know, Sybil,
you have treated me rather badly,
haven't you?"
80 you have always said, and you
are one of those people who are always
right. How can make amends? Shall
we renew our engagement"
''No, thank you; shouldn't like that;
nor would you. But although you GER
tainly did treat me badly don't believe
you are altogether heartless, Sybil."
This is indeed gross hattery." cX-
claimed Lady .,elvoir. what can he
be going to ask for?"
Not for any very enormous favor.
What / was thinking was this: You may
feel that You owe me good turn, and it
wouldn't give you great deal of trouble
TO write to me once or twice while / am
away. And couldn't you, perhaps, just
put i'm word for me sometimes, when
YOU saw an opportunity? Owing to cir
cumStanceS which | can't at present ex
plain it will be impossible for me to say
Il word for myself
Il see. am to hold the fort for you,
and am to keep on repeating. He will
return; | know him we'll But what If
you don't return, my good friend? What
if YOU meet with some enchanting Great
ure on board one of the many steamers
in which you will have TO take passage
and forget the poor maid of Westmore-
land >"
"You know | shall not do that"
"Do |? If do it's all | know about
your mysterious disappearance. Now,
look here, Percy, as told you before,
have Il childlike faith in you; may say
that you are the only perfectly honest
man whom ! have ever known. But il
| undertake this job it must be upon the
distinct understanding that | am to be
enlightened eventually as to the whole
meaning of it. ! rather think that |
can smell rat: still am not sure, and
| must be made sure. or | shall die OF