Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-09-06
Copyrighted.
lCONTrNUED.


yet put the decisive question, and some
times, when feared lest her patience
might be exhausted, would add, "but
/ have hopes, which was sure TO recon
ellie her for the time being TO my stay
ing away a little longer. To be sure,
was my own mistress, but l was well
aware, Notwithstanding, that Aunt
Helen was fully capable OF coming on
some fine day with horse, foot and
drogOOns, and putting a summary end
to my financial idyl.
began also TO put the question TO my
self, why / wished to remain in New
York. l had accomplished all that was
possible, without revealing my Identity,
in the way OF supervising the affairs or
Francis Prime and Company. IL was
clearer 20 me than ever that a fortune
could only be made by slow degrees, and
that years must eiapSe doubtless before
my protege would attain his ambition.
The letters forwarded by Mr.. Chelm'
and my own observations on the spot,
told me that the affairs OF the firm were
only moderately prosperous.
Especially was l convinced OF the
truth of this last statement from the
fact that my employer had o. late mixed
himself up in certain SpeculatiOnS with
Mr.. Dale, from which he had made
profits sufficient TO recoup bis previous
losses aud still show a balance in his
favor. But I knew that he, as well as
/. mistrusted the sOundness OF the frm
across the street, and felt that in YIELD
ing 10 the temptation Of following It's
lead he was running the RISK OF serious
losses. Mr.. Prime confessed as much 10
me, and declared that after single
venture TO which he had already COM
mitted himself was terminated he III
tended TO have no more transactions
with Roger Dale.
1t was indeed difficult 10 say why
still continued TO remain in Mr.. Primes
employ. Although, rs l have indicated,
] put the question 20 myself sometimes,
I shrank from doing 50, and felt disposed
10 let the future take care Of itself pro-
yided was permitted to enjoy the pres
ent undlsturbed But this was begin
ming TO be more and more difficult.
There were interests at home which
could not be longer neglected without
my mourning blame. l belonged 10 So
cieties and clubs az which my presence
was required. Then, too, IL would not
be many weeks before the Honorable
Ernest would return TO pay his promised
visit 10 Aunt Agnes, and felt far from
sure that should not make a mistake
70 discourage his advances. There was
a wide difference between the sphere OF
an Alice Bailey and the Duchess OF
Clyde.
But still I delayed my return. How
well recall one Saturday afternoon In
June, when as by a common instinct
business men seemed TO close their doors
earlier thad usual, and Mr.. Prime and l
set of TO enjoy half holiday In our
usual fashion. He was at the heigth OF
good spirits, for the affair in which he
was interested jointly with Roger Dale
was doing wonderfully veil, and the
-0ftS promised 70 be enormous. Alb
sorbed I'M conversation, we failed 20 no.
tice the close proximity Of a rapidly
driven horse, from under the hoofs OF
which / escaped by a mere hairs
breath. Ii was q trivial incident in It
self. but the exclamation which my
companion made and the eager, impetu-
Gus way in which he expressed himself
regarding my safety, served 20 open my
ewes TO the real condition Of affairs be-
tween Us.
There was mouse In my seeking longer
70 conceal from myself the reason for
nv remaining in New York. IL was Mr..
Primes society that held me there, and
deeency babe me 10 put an end to our
relations at once, but on his account
FAR more than on my own; for while L
battered myself that my heart was UNI
,ouched save by the emotion OF warm
friendship, could not dismiss the con-
yiction that his feeling for me was rap
div approaching the point at which
friendship becomes an impOSsioility. l
oust go, and immediately. 1t was fool
sh and culpable OF me TO have staid so
DnQ. A girl I'm the first blush Of maiden
God might excuse herself on the score
+ not recognizing the signs OF more
han platonic interest, but for me such
n apology could not be other than a
hbterfuge. Mr.. Prime had worry
nough already, and why add TO 1t the
ain OF an unrequited attachment?
ould go on Monday. Tomorrow we
ere 10 walk once more and would
anne some excuse, which he would
ever suspect, for severing our connec-
Gus.
But parallel with these reflections was
certain element OF curiosity in my
ind as TO whether Francis Prime would
ever so far carried away by his liking
me as to ask me TO become his wife
p. Alice Baily, his poor, hired clerk!
wondered that / should be especially
terested in the matter, for its ludicrous
Ia was at once apparent; that Is 70 say,
o situations portrayed in cheap con-
nporaneous fiction, OF beautiful work.
? girls led to the alter by the sons Of
h bankers, Immediately suggested
smselves. But nevertheless the
might haunted me, and did not feel
.oRether the degree OF contrition at
) idea of having captivated him that
thaps should have done. II IL was not
myself alone that he loved me, what
! his love worth? II the lowliness Of
positlon deferred him from asking
10 marry him, / was wasting SYM
Inv upon him and taking needless pre-
ktions.
rhe idea reused me strangely, and l
nd myself taking sides against my
IN an imaginary debate as to the
liabilities Of his conduct. II made
~ vein In my body tingle to think
I birth or fortune might be able 70
ct his decision; and it seemed TO me,
sought my pillow that night, that 1
lost hated him.
rthe morning decided that had
oably Overestimated his feelings to-
me, and that although had better
home on the following day, there was
leason why should treat Mr.. Prime
r than as usual. He was not in love
me; or If he were, he was not man