Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-30
CHAPTER III.
GoosEBERRIEs.

Let everyone, of every condition, avoid
cusiosity and all enquiry into things that
concern them not.
When Mrs. Jock had fully decided in
her own mind that We're Nugent was an
attraction so great TO George Lumley
that he did not even want to cOntide the
fact to her, she at once determined
upon a certain course of action, which
was that she would do everything in
her power to further the marriage.
Now this was a very magnanimous
resolution on Mrs. Jocks part, for
George Lumley was of all her men
friends land she had many the one
that she valued the most highly. She
was very proud Of her position in the
world, this little woman, and she was
always especially proud of the friend
ship of certain people, and that OF the
great painter most of all. 1t was an end
less satisfaction to her that her friends
knew and acknowledged that Lumley,
the PAINTER, was more often TO be seen
at her house than at any other, that,
when they met at parties, Lumley
would always take her down to supper,
that at most dinners where they met,
Iumley was, as matter OF course, put
beside her; and for her voluntarily to
give Lumley up to a mere girl, to deter
mine to do everything that she could to
further his unmistakable desires, was
about the most generous thing that any
little woman ever did in this world.
But Mrs. Jock was generous! You
see she had passed through rough and
hitter experience in the days OF her
vouth. and out OF the blacklist night OF
despair she had suddenly and unexpect-
edly found herself in blaze OF heaven
sent sunshine. She adored her Jock,
she was perfectly happy and she wanted
everyone else to be as happy as she was.
So that evening while We're Nugent was
singing from memory in the hrellght,,
while the children, Bets, aged SIX ana
frankie. two years younger, were
swarming over her, as children do over
n mother who loves them better than
her gowns, Mrs. Jocks busy and fertile
brain was very busy thinking out
schemes for the future, which would
very considerably have startled the
other occupants Of the room had they
been put into plain words.
And We're Nugent sang on song after
song until the maid came for the
Youngsters and Mrs. Jock sprang up
declaring that they would not nave time
TO get into the tea-gowns which were
the nearest approach to convention
alitv that she allowed at the tlsn FonuS'
And so they all scurried upstairs Win
inst a quarter Of an hour before the
dinner would be on the table.
Now with the best intentions In the
world YOU can not greatly further mat
rimonial schemes in party OF four
during the time that dinner Is In pro-
gress. And indeed Mrs. Jock, who was
q very sensible woman did not Try 10 40
So but simply gave herself up to the
enjoyment OF the hour.
sIt's so jolly down here" she SAID
once-s'no horrid parties to go TO- no
nosts to catch, if you don't happen 70
have party on" ..
.sRnt vour letters have to be written
all the same" Jock Airlie suggested.
"Well, yes, in q sense they have, only
the dav seems so many hours longer IN
the country, and when there's no post
after six o'clock you don't ruin your
evening trying to get level win yeur
resnonsibilities, and-and-weil, It's
inst like heaven here, and I'm thankiui
TO find myself In It," She was thankful
two. for She was a hard-worked little
woman. who would never lose her place
for want OF energy. "Sing to mo again,
We're" she said when she found herseli
once more in the DRAWN groom, hghteo
bv pretty shaded lamp now-'your
voice Is 50 sympathetic, 1t thrills me