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

The effect on a woman of the revela-
ton that she loves him who has prof
fered her his heart is like the awaken
ing Of buds in spring, which beneath the
soft mysterious breath of an invisible
power burst their bonds with graceful
reluctance and shyly gladden. nature.
1t seemed TO me as If had never lived
before. Unlike the untutored passion Of
my extreme youth, my happiness was
calm and reflective, but none the less
satisfying. Under its sway found 1t a
comparatively easy task to overcome the
auerulousness and revive the hopes Of
Aunt Helen on my return home. 1t was
nv desire, of course, to avoid any fur
Their deception, and l sought refuge In
silence, beyond the statement that the
future Duke Of Clyde had gone to the
west without making any definite pro-
poSal. But l assured her that he was
certain to visit us within a few months.
I took up the round Of my avocations
as il nothing had happened. We had
hired cottage at Newport for the sum-
mer, and there 1 ensconed myself, and
strove by means of books and friends to
keep the alternate endurance and de-
preston of my spirits within bounds.
but though | was at times melancholy
for sight of my lover, JOY was chiefly
predominant in my heart-so much so
that people commented on my cheerful
ness, and Aunt Helen dropped occasion
al hints which led me to believe she
cherished secretly the opinion that l
was enamored OF her idol.
NV visits to Mr.. Chelm's Office were Of
course renewed. told him that had
visited the street where the Office Of
| Francis Prime and Company was stu
ated and had been pleased with getting
a glimpse OF 1t. In answer to my ques-
tions as to what he thought of the prog
ress of the firm he said very little, ex-
cent that all business was in an unset
| tied state owing TO the speculative
spirit that had followed the long period
OF stagnatlou. AS yet my protege
seemed to have been generally prudent,
but it needed the experience OF a
| tried business man to resist the tempta-
tions to make money by short cuts pre-
Sented at the present time. He judged
| from the last reports sent him that he
had been lately making one or two sue
cessful ventures in doubtful class OF
securities, and he should take it upon
himself, with my permission, to give
him advice TO avoid them for the fu-
ture.
I felt an eager desire to say he had al
| ready promised that the speculation in
| which he was now engaged should be
the last, but that OF course was impos-
sible without disclosing my secret. How
should ever have the face to make con.
fession to Mr.. Chelm when the time
came, II it ever did come?
As the months slipped away began to
be haunted occasionally by the thought
that a year was longer time than had
supposed, and ii must be that Francis
Prime would take me at my word and
try to forget me. At such moments my
heart seemed to stand still, and weary
vista of monotonous and never ceasing
maidenhood arose before me. 1t would
be preferable to die than to be deceived
now, I would not doubt, and indeed
did not doubt. But who can control the
changing moods of the imagination?
/ think the consciousness that such 8
thing as his proving false was Apossioil
ity affected my treatment OF nv maiden
aunts aud made me more gentle and con
siderate in regard to their foibles- The
early lives Of both of them were sealed
books to me, excepting the glimpse o.
Aunt Helen had given me Of hers at the
time Of my own first sorrow. Who coulC
tell that there was not in their hearts
some bit of cruel treachery or misunder
standing still remembered, though IN
mentioned, which had scared anC
withered existence for them? It wa
this feeling among others that urged M
70 write to Aunt Agnes and ask permits
sion to spend day or two with her be