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

answer tndt she ndQ Deen Oh tuc pun
of writing to me herself, but would now
defer mentioning the matter she had In
mind until we met.
As had OWNED, the subject that wa:
engrossing her as regards me was the
coming visit Of the Honorable Ernest
Ferroll. She had heard from him al
San Francisco to the effect that he was
on the point of starting for the east, and
that he took the liberty OF forwarding
to her his letters OF introduction as pre-
Iiminary to paying his respects to her In
person. But on the particular evening
OF my arrival found Aunt Agnes oollv-
ious to everything except piece OF In
formation which, though far from in
credible to me, had evidently been to her
like lightning from clear sky. The for.
bidding manner in which she received
me led me to fancy that had displeased
her, and remembering her previous dis
covery, the awful suspicion that she had
ferreted out my secret seized me Tor an
instant. But was speedily treasured:
81 am glad you are here, Virginia, II
only to read this. You were right,
child, after all; and l am an old fool,
over whose eyes any one seems to be able
to pull the WOOL"
She spoke in the sternest tones, and
held out to me newspaper In when
was the announcement of the nuptials
OF Mr.. Charles Liversage Spence and
Miss Lucretia Kingsley-"no cards."
"Did you not know they were en-
gaged?" inquired.
II know nothing but what you see
there" replied my aunt; land what Is
more, I wish to know nothing further. "
"They have acted for some time as II
they were engaged. II they are in love
with each other it seems best that they
should be married after all" said, not
caring to express my opinion as to the
special fitness Of the match with any
greater emphasis.
''In love with each other? What right
had she to fall in love with him, should
like to know?" she exclaimed with In
dignation. ".She a mere disciple, a
pupil, to fall in love with the master;
aspire to be the wife OF man as far su-
perior to her as planet 10 an ordinary
star! Bah! Fall in love with him! Tell
me! 1t was bad enough when he fell In
love with you, Virginia; but this is nifty
times worse, because she knew better,
and understood the value OF celibacy to
such a life. Her conduct amounts to
utter selfshness."
~ think Miss Kingsley has had de-
signs on Mr.. Spence for long time.
That is why she was so bitter against
me-" said.
"Would that you had married him,
Virginia! could have endured that.
But this Is disgusting! never wish TO
see either of them again" emphatically
remarked Aunt Agnes.
1t was useless to represent to her that
Mrs. Spence was very much in love with
her husband, and that on that account
would doubtless strive to make him
happy 1t was the fact OF their marriage
that distressed her, and unlike me, she
did not think OF plying Mr.. Spence be-
cause of any flaws in the disposition OF
his wife. / tried, therefore, to dismiss
the matter from the conversation as soon
as possible, and before the end OF the
evening her mood was so far modified
that she introduced the subject OF the
Honorable Ernest's arrival.
Eyes, Virginia" she said, at is forty
one years ago that made the ocean pas
sage with that young mans father, anu
we have corresponded ever since. lna'
is what comes of being sympathetic IN
ones habits. Now, don't go fancying
that there was anything more In 1t than
there really was. We were friends SIM
NV. nothing else. But friend means
to me, and l mean to receive
this Young man into my house and show
him every attention in my power. And
YOU tell me that you have met him In
New York, and like him very much? !
am not match maker, Virginia, ike
your Aunt Helen, but it will doubtless
be very agreeable to both the families II
YOU young people should happen to take
a fancy TO each other. Stranger things
have occurred, and since IL is evident to
me from an intimate knowledge OF your
character that you are sure to marry
some day, l know OF no one whom IL
would please me so much to intrust
your future happiness to as the son OF
nv old friend. His presumptive rank
would probably weigh far more with
YOU than with me. Provided the young
man has high principles and steadfast
purpose, shall be content.
laughed gently in reply. / had made
up my mind not to thwart the old lady
openly. 1t would be time enough for
that later IL the honorable Briton ever
should come to the point. 1t was such
novel coincidence that my aunts should
agree for once on anything that the
thought OF putting myself in antagon-
ism with them did not occur to me seri-
ously for q moment. l felt the humor
of the situation, and was also filled at
once with the desire to harmonic them
forever by means of this common inter-
est. 7''
1--WE will see. Aunt Agnes, what he
thinks of me-" said; and all through
my visit OF two days dropped hlnts OF
the efforts Aunt Helen had made in
New York to prejudice Mr.. Ferroll in
my favor.
.'She has spoiled all l dare say. by
showing her hand too openly" bristled
Aunt Agnes the first time / mentioned
the subject.
"ln that case you will have to let him
have a glimpse of the Harlan PRIDE"
answered. 81 shall depend on you not
to allow me to be forced upon him, Aunt
Agnes. lam sure, however that Aunt
Helen means well in the matter. She
may be a little indiscreet, but il you
were to talk it over with her | am sure
you could come-to satisfactory agree
ment. Now, it strikes me as an excel
lent idea for you to come and spend q
few days with US at Newport. II would
give Us both very great pleasure.
Please do think of it seriously"
Newport? Do you take me for q
fashionable do nothing, child? Why,
your aunt wouldn't let me inside the
door, l have only six dresses in the
world. Newport! Tell me-"