Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-13
az COULDN'T WORK WITH HER WATCHING ME- NEVER Do"

not mine) in light golden-brown tailor
gown, cut open so as TO show a smart
white collar and shirt front, with tie
and neat pin and all the latest Henley
fashions. She had little sailor hat on
too, which was just trifle young for
her general style, and as soon as Lum-
ley innocently appeared she put out a
firm white hand on which two or three
handsome rings were cleaning, and
told him it was really quite idyllic to be
up at this time of the morning.
SIS it?" he said. l am at work every
morning at this time, when there is light
enough. Not in winter, of course, but
then we painters don't do much good In
the winter"
"Come for a STROLL" she said, ''let us
go and see the dear horses. / am so
awfully fond of horses--or were you 60
ing to work? should love to watch
you. I'd sit ever so quietly, and not
say word"
In spite of his anger and his intense
disappointment Lumley nearly went off
into fits OF vexed laughter at the idea
of Mrs. Hope sitting like little mouse
watching him while he worked.
Aloud, however, he said stiffly enough
to have warned most women that they
were taking wrong course, "I'm sorry,
but never work in public. shall be
charmed to go for a stroll round the
garden If you will let me fetch my hat"
'Oh, yes; III wait here" eagerly.
He took time to scrawl few words
on leaf of his pocketbook, which he
tore out, twisted into the form of a note,
and sent up to Miss Nugent's room by
the first maid-servant he could get
hold Of.
So We're received it-read-"Sltting
knocked on the head for this morning.
Horrid disappointment to me, G. L.
and looking out OF the window beheld
the painter just crossing the graveled
drive with Mrs. Hope, his air of defer
entail politeness more apparent than
usual, though We're did not know, and
never guessed that it was but cloak to
cover the rage and fury In his heart.
She watched them until they were out
of sight, and then she took of the pretty
blue gown and hung it up again in its
place In the large old-fashioned cup
board which served the room as ward
robe. And then she deliberately sat
down to await the ringing of the break
fast bell. When at length it did so she
went down to find Mrs. Hope, radiant
with her long filtration, In possession of
the dining-room and OF Lumley alike.
ooh! you are late, Miss Nugent," she
cried, as the girl entered the room.
''Yes, dear Ruth, I was the early bird
this morning"
"And which was the worm?" asked
Jock Airlie, who had just turned up
the Airlles were not distinguished for
their early rising-and so did not know
whether she might be referring TO
roses or young Damery or even Lumley.
"Aw-always pitied the paw little
devil of worm m'self," remarked the
boy with an air OF extreme wisdom.
always thought the worm little ass
to ges up and be gobbled. What"
ST can scarcely flatter myself that I
was the worm this morning." said Lum-
ley, with rueful glance at We're.
"Ohl but you may" Mrs. Hope whis-
pered; land very charming worm, too
at least thought so."
II only We're could have heard the un-
uttered words that rose in Lumley's dis
gustad heart at that moment. God
save the Queen. woman, what are you
driving at?" he said to himself In amaze
ment, and even his long experience In
the ways which led towards matrimony
did not awaken him to the fact that the
good lady was doing her best TO draw
him right thro' the narrow gate, which,
II not quite so small as the eye of
needle, is assuredly no bigger than a
wedding-ring.
She sat next to him OF breakfast, and
as 1t was tradition In the house that
George Lumley should always sit next