Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-09-20

easily the poor little woman might be
maligned under other circumstances.
"Yet at that very time you were en-
gagged to me-" exclaimed Anita In a
voice of eloquent reproach, when she had
listened TO the tale.
"But what Of that?" cried Donald,
honestly puzzled. Il have told you
there was nothing in it-not the ghost
of Irritation. Why" as one who would
offer confirmation as strong as proof Of
Holy Writ, 81 never kissed the woman
never even pressed her hand beyond
the limit of an ordinary how do you do"
Anita stared at him with wide eyed
horror. "As II could hint at such a
thing" reddening angrily. "As IL
could think it possible that you should"
"Well, you seemed to think there
must have been some awful develop
ments about It," laughing isconse-
Quentially. "And that sort OF thing is
supposed to be rather commonly done, l
believe. did not know but your imag-
ination was running on some such line
'0f you, Don?" little choke in her
voice. Il would not imagine such
things OF you; would not give myself
the torment of such thoughts until |
was compelled. But your suggestion
seems TO prove that such things were
possibIe-that you might have enjoyed
these little famillarities, so commonly
DONE" with scornful culver Of the
nostrils, regarding him keenly, "had
you but cared to make the most OF your
opportunities. Your tone implies that
il was no unreasonable prudery on her
part that hindered."
Donald laughed rather confusedly. IL
he had sometimes fancied that Mrs.
Rogers perhaps cared more for him than
strict duty to her lord allowed he had
never thought of blaming himself in the
matter, and fattered in his heart
neither had he any idea OF condemna-
ton for her. He was rather disposed to
regard it as highly creditable TO both
that nothing more had come OF IL. And
Anitas jealous, exclusive love, srudging
that even his name should have been as
ISOLATED with that of another woman,
was beyond his comprehension,
How you do jump at conclusions,
childw he tersely retorted. Cant you
give the poor woman the benefit OF
doubt even when she is proved inno-
cent?"
But the proof was by no means clear
to Mrs. Bartels' mind, although she
made an effort to veneer her manner
with certain cold cordiality when cir
substances threw her into the society
of Mrs. Rogers; for the Argus-eyed
world must not see in her attitude any
hint Of jealousy or dislike, to prop up
the old tales and set the tongues wag-
ging again.
Donald came home late to dinner on
the day after the Rogerses' evening
call.
81 am willing to be forgiven" he ex-
claimed, in laughing apology, as he un-
folded his napkin. Anita, like most
good hosekcepers, was never pleased
when a nice dinner was spoiled by wait
ING. DR.. Rogers came around TO the
office and detained me. He has taken
YOU at your word, and wants me to go
up 10 Lake Park with him."
"Yes?" listlessly, seemingly absorbed
in counting the peas she was serving.
81 must say was tempted" he care
lessly continued. Rogers is such jolly
good fellow. l don't know OF anybody |
would rather 60 with on such trip
barring yourself, Donna Anita. II had
not hoped you would change yonr mind
and 60 after all, l think l would have
come very near saying yes to him."
but | shall not change my mind,
shaking her head, with q slow smile.
She was not pleased with this new plan.
Perhaps she had never seriously expect
ed him to take her at her word and go
without her. 1t is so easy to feel mag
unanimous when it may cost.nothing but
words. Certainly she had never thought
to see the Rogers family represented In
her place.
"Carlton"-this was his partner who
had been ailDg for day or two-"will
be around tomorrow all right, he told
me this morning, and there 10 nothing
TO do at the Office just now anyway. |
could get away for week or two as well
az not. 1t seems like flying in tho face
Of Providence to let such an opportunity
90 by indeed. / say" brlghtning with
his thought, but still regarding her
doubtfuly, 81 might go with Rogers
and then il your interesting aunt falls
10 show up, you might come up the last
OF the week and join us.
"And Mrs Rogers-is she golng|
with sudden flush on her cheeks.
"Of course | should have known bet
ter than to have considered the plan, for
a moment II she were, with sharp
tippe of sarcasm in mis- voice. "She Is
going TO visit some friends on a ranch,
a few miles east of here, for q couple OF
weeks. and then meet Rogers at the
mark. he told me. They have hired a
cabin there for September"
ooh" with an evident accession OF In
terest. "And when did you plan to
go?" 49,.
"We did not plan to go at all, gooo
humoredly smiling, but with an obvious
shadow of disappointment on his race.
"Rocers proposed that we should start
Tomorrow morning early, go on horse
back. get up to Lost creek about noon,
fish there through the afternoon, put up
AT Iongman's ranch for the night, and
ON 10 thu park the nett morning. But
NJ course | did not seriously think OF go
ing"
Anita knew what this trip meant to
him who loved the free dom OF the woods
with the ardor of schoolboy, to whom
trout fishing was the only pursuit worthy
the name Of sport. And why should he
be denied this pleasure, which might
Weld him such rich returns In health
fulness as well? Donald's fair, blonde
face looked pallid where he sat In
shadow, surely he needed the tonic OF
the woods, Anita's heart smote her with
swift conjunction for her ungenerous
hesitancy.
"But why should you not go?" she