Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-11-29

inversely, with the qualification OF 1t.
Name had no idea that Tom would
touch even the mildest Of wines, and
he, of course. feared to tell her the
truth, for he knew how she looked
upon such things.
Tom and were members Of the same
fraternity, and had ample opportunity
OF watching this love affair, for such II
soon proved to be. During Toms junior
year, Name appeared at the commence
ment ball with a new diamond ring
placed upon the suspicious hnger.
Knowing her well and having dance
early on the program, i made bold to offer
my congratulations which, much TO my
surprise, she accepted, blushing slightly
but looking remarkably bright and hap~'
py. AS soon as / could, with propriety,
leave her made my way to Tom and
asked a few minutes talk with him in
the dressing-room, at his leisure. He
followed Immediately after me, and In
reply to my question admitted that he
had been engaged for over year, but
that Name would not consent to wear
the ring before. 1t was soon common
property, and the good wishes
extended to them were all sincere for
both were very popular in the little cir
Gle in which they moved.
The next September saw Tom back
to B week before school opened in
order to see his betrothed and get ac-
customed to being a senior, College
opened with large attendance, classes
were organized and put to work and the
usual liberties given the senior class for
though the work was hard enough it
was what the boys called mice" on ac-
count of the absence Of mathematics
and the classes from the
course, and so there was enough time
for gaieties. One evening early in No
vember, Tom left his girl early and came
down to the Chapter House and on his
suggestion We settled down to a game OF
whist. We were to play until one side
had made fifty points. OF course we had
to have some wine il we were to play so
protracted a game and accordingly wine
was ordered sent up from hotel bar
near by and the bill left to be settled by
the losers. Tom ann l were
playing partners but luck was
against US, and it soon became ap-
parent beside that Tom was not playing
his usual game, he did not respond to
my calls, nor were his calls rational.
The points were accommodating on the
other side and | was making des-
perate effort, when Tom started and
looking down noticed a small locket
that Name had given him, and In which
he kept her picture beside that OF his
mother. The cards were dealt, but
Tom was gazing upon the pictures I'M
mindful OF the cries: you've got one
too many cards there" Hurry up,
we want to make our fifty and go to
bed" or ''make lead there and dream
OF Name afterwards"
Still gazing on the pictures, Tom
arose, showed away the cards and an
swered. "Don't urge me, boys; here
are the pictures of two Of the pureSt
women on earth, the two L love most
my mother and Mamie; they both love
me, and what do you think they would
say to this scene? IL would kill my dear
old mother, and Name cannot bear
TO think what she would say. I'll not
play any more tonight, boys; but shall
go to my room and write to them"
With that he lett us, and after finishing
our cigars we, too, retired, but the scene
disturbed US, for a college student dis
likes a scence about as much as any one
and we, too, thought that perhaps we
were not doing the right thing.
Had Tom and not been room-mates,
1 would never have known enough OF
the facts to write this account Of them.
Late one evening l was hard at work
In my room digging out an unusually
difficult lesson in mental science when
Ton returned. ] merely looked up when
he entered, and continued my work.
As usual, he lit a cigarette, and leaning
back in his study chair, fell to think
ing. As the Odor reached me repeated
what had said to him fifty times dur
ing our college course: "If you don't
let up on those 'coflin-nails,' Tom, you
might rs well order your coffin, for
you'll need it soon at this rate" Not
word Ia reply. Feeling rather Gu l
settled down to work again, but had
hardly read page before Tom began:
81 don't know whether you ever appre-
cisted how much l think Of Name, Bob,
for l never spoke to you seriously on the
subject, but if ever you love woman
as do Name, and do not win her, you
will know how feel tonight"
"Why, Tom," l replied, ''what's up
now; does Name know Of our little
game Of a few weeks ago?" "All
about it, she sprung it on to me to-
night, and l couldn't say word. She
expected me to defend myself, how
could I, when she realized that what
she had heard was true, she began to
cry. i begged her to quit; promised
her never to drink or play again, but
could not influence her. She gave me
back my ring-there it is, take 1t; don't
let me see it again-and sent me away.
My God, Bob, 1 can't realize it
Name is no longer my betrothed,"
And with that he buried his head in
his hands. and remained in that attitude
for some time. When he looked up, l
was shocked to see his face-so sad, so
pitiful. Bob, the gayest OF all, the wit
of the college, was heart-broken!
! took his hand in mine, but could