Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-12-14

the fact that, in addition to his physical
eXertionS, he was affected by mental
agitation, which is always bad thing
for the respiratory organs; but Dorothy
did not inspect him very closely. She
only turned her head for moment and
said, without any appearance of sur
prise:
''Oh, how do you do, Mr.. Thorold?
You are staying with Lady BelvOir, l
SUPPOSE"
1t is most diScouraging to be received
in that matter of fact way by person
for whose sake you have just arrived at
express speed from the other side of the
world, and Percy was proportionately
disconnected. He could not help saying
in a slightly injured voice:
Il was in California only three weeks
ago. But perhaps" he added, some
what more cheerfully, "Sybil, told you
that was coming here"
Il believe she did, answered Dorothy,
compoSedly. Besides, when we last
saw you you yourself said that YOU
might perhaps be in our parts in the
course of the winter" And then, as a
pause enSued which he seemed to find
some difficulty in breaking, she re-
Sumed: 1T isn't very good time of
the year to see WeStmoreland; | should
think that in weather like this you must
wish yourself back in California"
Il have only one wish as regards Cali
fornia," he answered with needless en-
phasiS, land that is a most devout one
that | may never see it again. Or Japan
either. or India. or the Sandwich ISL
andS. or any other of the abominable
wilderneSSeS through which have been
wandering for six weary months"
Dorothy raised her eyebrows in sur
prise.
Il never heard those countries de-
scribed aS wilderneSSeS before" she re-
marked. what pity that you should
have travelled such long way and not
enjoyed yourSelf.'
.'Oh. as far as that goes, didn't an
ticipate enjoyment" said Percy.
He was now walking beside her, for it
was impossible to stand still in such a
temperature. Il was on my way 10 call
upon you he said presently.
Dorothy could do no less than beg
him to carry out his intention, and this
she did, though without any great cord
iality of manner.
''YeS," he went on rather nerVouSly,
Il was obliged TO come to-day because,
unfortunately, am very much pressed
for time. Ny cousin tells me that she
wants TO go to London Immediately, so
that | felt | mustn't miss chance OF
seeing YOU" He added-for somehow
or other there seemed to be no POSSIBLE
ity of leading up TO his point by degree
-"Didn't you think it very odd OF me
TO rush off round the world at Il mo-
ment's notice.
Well" she replied conSideringly, Il
dare say l might have thought 1t odd II
you hadn't explained TO me that every
body did that sort of thing nowadays,
and that YOU were expected TO do what
everybody else did"
Ibid | say that? | don't remember
what | said. but | had 10 say something
and l couldn't tell you my real reason
then. as, thank heaven. can now. Any
how YOU must have seen that ! was not
starting on this journey of my own free
will. And, Miss Leslie, | think am
Sure-you must have seen something
more than that. think you must have
known very well that what made me
hate leaving England so was that that
implied leaving you.
Ii was now Dorothy'S turn TO look per-
turbed and embarrassed. She had not
been prepared for so prompt declara-
ton as this, nor did she know how TO
reply TO it. As she had strict regard
for truth she decided upon the safe plan
of making no reply at all, and Percy re-
Sumcd:
..Of course, you knew it; you couldn't
help knowing i'll made no secret of
my love for you. 1t would have been
better if had said less until l was sure
of being able to say more; but the truth
| is never for one moment supposed that
nv mouth would be closed AT the elev-
enth hour. as il was.
II will tell you presently how that
came to pass, and | hope you Will see
that wasn't very much 10 blame In the
matter: but it is such Il long story that
| | havne't the heart to embark upon 1t
while am still in suspense. Besides, 1T
NAV be that there will be no need for
me to trouble you with the story at all.
| mean that if you intended TO refuse
me last summer-did you intend to re-
fuse me. Miss LeSlie?"
This was certainly not fair queS-
ton. and Dorothy would have been JUS
tilted i'm declining TO answer 1t. De-
clining TO answer such questions is,
however, pretty much the same thing as
answering them, so she said in resent
| full tone:
a think a
ask for what YOU wanted would have
been quite sufficient then, and that it
will be quite sufficient now. No doubt
she has impaired her views upon the
subject to you.
.She has been very kind and-and
encouraging, Percy was compelled to
admit: but | think that was chiefly be-
cause she was sorry for me. and saw
how much needed little encourage
ment. Then, too, she had faith enough
i'm me To take my word for it that | did
not leave England from any discredit-
able or diShOnorable cause. But she
has never pretended to know for GER
tain that you cared for me-"
"Oh, indeedr' exclaimed Dorothy,
flushing up: "she actually confessed
that she didn't know that for certainl
| am amazed at her moderation. Still
don't think | will trouble you to tell
me that long story, Mr.. Thorold; you
really don't owe me any explanation or
apology"
So far Percy had not put his case very
Skillfully, and her annoyance was natu-
raj enough; but a man who is thorough
" in earnest is not easily abaShed, and
Mr.. Thorold was resolved to have a
plain answer to plain question. After
a moments silence he said:
II know you are too straightforward
to trife with me, and | don't believe
-. lii .hinl- mn cnncnited for con- !