Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-16

course more swiftly through my VEINS.
Ifsuch an one could be made happier.
and his power of usefulness increased by
any act Of mine, no sacrifice seemed too
large. For what was l, or what was
the value of anything / might do, COM
pared with the progress OF humanity as
a whole? could not give him love, per-
haps, and the freshness OF young
heart; but sympathy and encourage
ment and the cooperation OF a mind
deeply interested in the cause with
which he was identified might do much
to make the struggle more easy apd
success speedier. Was / likely eyer to
meet with any one more congeniat?
What better use could l make OF my
life?
These thoughts came to me not only
then, but afterward, when Mr.. Spence
had gone and was left alone to make up
my mind. l had told him that he must
give me time; it was impossible for me
to decide at the moment. What he had
said was so bewildering, and the condl-
tion of any possible marriage between us
Of so serious a character that l was at
loss for an answer, but l warned him
not to feel too much encouragement be-
cause l did not give him an Immediate
reply; the chances were more than ike
ly that upon reflection l should feel
what he asked TO be impossible. Il re-
spect you thoroughly, Mr.. Spence, and
/ am much interested in your work, put
/ do not think l should ever love you as
you would wish. feel quite sure OF 1t,
but II you are disposed to let me think
it over instead of giving you at once an
unfavorable reply, l am willing to do
So"
1t was my fathers opinion on the sub
ject that l most feared to face. L could
not doubt what his verdict would be.
1t was the ambition of his later life to
see me use well the fortune he had &C.
cumulated. BY the marriage l was con-
templating l should disappoint these ex-
pectations, for l could not suppose he
would regard as good use OF the money
a disclaimer of the fortune he wished to
leave me. 1t was really between him
and Mr.. Spence that must decide.
This was what presented itself to me
clearly, as my father and sat together
in the library after my aunts had gone.
1t was past midnight, and yet neither OF
us had thought apparently of going to
bed. He was smoking, and like myself
busy with his own reflections. IL
seemed to me that he looked Tired and
worn. had observed it several times
of late. Was l certain that was right
in the choice was tempted to make?
But if l did not marry Mr.. Spence, what
was the prospect for me? What did
my father wish me to do with his
money?
As though he understood my silent
question, he turned to me suddenly and
said:
GAS YOU may remember, Virginia, |
told Won't must be more than two
years ago now-that l was very rich
man. The same is true to-day, though,
owing to the severe depression from
which all classes of property has sur
fered during that period, am no longer
as wealthy as / was. Indeed, 1t has been
only by untlagging attention and care
that have been able to avoid very serl-
Gus losses. But let that pass. Confidence
Is restored and the worst is over My
affairs are in a shape now where further
depreciation is well nigh impossible, and
YOU will have all the money that you
can possibly need when | am gone"
He paused moment, and l fastened
to express my concern that he had been
worried,
THAT is all done with now, / hope. |
only mention it in order that you should
know what you have to expect and be-
cause | have been making up my &C
counts for the first OF the year. No one
can tell what another year may bring
forth. am not so strong as | was, l
think"
He spoke without emotion, but there
was something in his tone that prompted
me to go to him, and kneeling by his
side tie take his hand in mine.
"Are you not well, father?"
"Oh, yes. But when a man has worked
hard all his days and gets to be sixty
five years old the machine does not run
so smoothly as it used. That is all. Some
day it will stop all of a sudden, just as
it did in my fathers case. He was worn
out when he died, and that is what l
shall be. In this country most OF us
have only time to get together our mil
lions and die" He spoke with smile
and gently stroked my hair. but we
expect our children to mako good use
of the leisure We have woa for them.
You begin where leave off, Virginia.
| had hoped to be able to see q great
deal OF you during the last few years,
but Just at the moment when l was
about to lay aside the harness came the
period of depression. 1t Is very Diff
cult in this country for parents to know
their children intimately. Neither party
has time for the operation. You have
your interests as we'll as /, and, what is
more, scarcely know what they are. l
am,not.complaining; lam merely stating
facts. II my life is spared few years
longer we will try to change all that.
Before die | should like to see you
happily married to some one who Is
worthy of you. Nothing ever gave me
so much pain as TO see you suffer at the
time that fellow deceived you-nothing,
at least, except the thought OF your be-
coming his wife. But that is past,
thank heavenl and think am right In
saying that you have forgotten him long
long SINCE"
He talked in half solioquizing fash
ion, in short, deliberate sentences, and
looked up to me as he finished for con-
frmation of his opinion.
ga woman never forgets, father. But
am very glad you saved me from
marrying him."
Eyes, yes; it would have been mad
ness" he replied eagerly. 81 could not
have endured the thought Of that good
for-nothing squandering my property. |
should never have relented, and l should
have been in my grave before this. But
let bygones be bygones. To-day you are
older and wiser. and l have confidence
4 r