Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-22

ing hammock netting. Then her hands
regained their cunning and found his
broad shoulders and she pushed herself
free, and then hysterical laughter came
to her aid and the shaded grove rang TO
a peal that, II not merry, was at least
irresistible, and at last, as she sat there
restored to equilibrium and striving to
regain her whirling senses as he stood
patiently bending over her, half pray
ing that the inspired hammock might
vet attempt some new freak, she glanced
up at him through smiles and tears and
disordered bangs only to say:
"How utterly absurd"
To which philosophical remark he
vouchsafed no reply whatever.
1t is full minute before she RECEIVERS,
even partially, either breath or self
possession. Then she holds forth her
hand, and he assists her to rise.
"This is not the welcome | should
give you. Shall we go to the house?"
But even as she asks and her eyes
glance nervously, shyly, up into his
face, she knows he will accept no invi-
tation that will imperil this tete-a-tete.
She sees how the lines have deep
ened in his frank, soldierly face,
and that sadness not all
of his recent bereavement has
left It's traces there. She would lead
him from the shaded grove to the par
lor, where the lamps are already begin
ming to twinkle, but he will not bulge
one step. He stands confronting her.
mo. l have come solely to see you.
Is there any reason why we cannot
stay here moment?" And she can
think of none. Oh, what infamous fate
that he should have found her weeping
-bathed in tears!
81 hardly thought to see you at all,
especially after-the great-sorrow OF
your fathers DEATH" she falters, her
heart leaping and bounding despite her
effort to be calm.
Il am taking mother north" he an
swers simply. at was cruel blow TO
her and n hard one to me. 1t was all
over before l could get home. Mother
will spend the summer with her sister
on the st. Lawrence, but she has TO rest
in Cincinnati until tomorrow night. !
left her with old friends this afternoon
and came out here to find you. must
90 back this evening. And now have
YOU no word of welcome for me? Did
you not know that would come loving
you as do?"
What answer can she make? Her
head is dropping low, her hands are
clasped together, her bosom heaving,
her breath futtering away and yet how
wild 10y, how exquisite hope is
throbbing I'm her heart of hearts.
Georgia speaks impulsively,
his deep voice trembling-'you made
me accept your answer then and
bear my bitter disappointment with
out word. but | have borne it too
long now. Had you been at the
other end of the world must have fol-
lowed you, for the longing to see your
dear face to hear your voice,
TO look into your glorious eyes, has over
mastered me time and again. | had to
come, and now / will hear what it is
that stands between us. God knows
my love and honor have been yours
long, long year God knows there can
be no content or Joy for me if your an
swer be final. You have bound my life
in yours. You won my whole heart, my
deepest gratitude. No; you cannot
check me by impatient gesture now.
You must hear. You told me there was
no other man. Is that true?
"Perfectly," she answers proudly.
And yet you would not listen to me.
You would not be my wife
you forget it was just after the
trial. You seemed to think you owed
me such a world OF gratitude; and-do
not men sometimes mistake gratitude
for love?"
"Oh, heavens" he interrupts her inn
petuously, his hands outStretched.
you do not mean you doubted me,
Georgia? If that were your reason is
il not baniShed now? Look-look up
into my eyes. my darling, and tell me,
if you dare, that it is gratitude, not
deep and fervent love. offer you.
Nay, you shall see.
And before she could retreat his strong,
trembling hands had seized her droop-
ing head and between them her face,
with its dark, lu>trous, swimming eyes,
with cheeks still tear wet, yet burning
with bushes chasing each other to her
very brows, her soft red lips quivering
and trembling at the dimpled corners
all-all now lifted to his worshiping
gaze, and she can repel no longer. One
swift glance, and if ever vestige OF doubt
remained it vanished then and there.
No woman on earth could have looked
into his eyes and denied the love that
burned within them-all her own, all
her own.
Speak to me, Georgia. Do you be-
heve me now?'
Yes. she whispers and her face
would have hidden itself but for those
strong hands again.
And you have no love to give in re-
turn"
A little silyery beam is peeping
through the foliage now. The kittens,
forgotten, are rolling over each other in
mad froic at their very feet. The last
chirp OF the browsing bird has died
away. The silence of the sweet summer
night has fallen on all surrounding ma
ture, yet ne can hardly hear her whiS-
per
you never asked it-until now"
But it is mine. really? Georgia, tell
me" he imploreS.
1T has been-all yours ever since the
night heard your letter-ever since
you wrote that YOU would follow the
old flag 10 the end.
THE END.
Toothpick Ben's Miscalculatiom.
GLOBE Democrat.