Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-07-26

heuuCt suo duoCbiOn ana gratitude i
felt, 81 thank you with all my heart for
your kindness. Whatever you may saw.
it was extremely kind Of you to offer to
take me abroad with you, and l wish I
could CO."
what is there to prevent you going?r
she inquired sharply.
/ hesitated an instant and then boldly
spoke the truth, though l knew 1t would
operate like q two-edged sword:
81 have already promised to spend
the summer at Tinker's Reach with
Aunt Helen, and she would be disap-
pointed II | failed her at the last mo-
ment, for all her plans are made on that
understanding"
"Ahl That is IT," she replied, with
bitter calmneSs. every well, disclaim
all further responsibility, You act with
your eyes open and must take the con-
sequences"
There was so much pain and concern
In her expression that for an instant l
hesitated and thought of changing my
mind. l went to her and knelt down
beside her chair.
Aunt Agnes, you must not talk so. 1
love you as dearly as love Aunt Helen;
and if had not promised to spend the
summer with her l should be delighted
to go with you. Do not repulse me. 1
have so few relatives to care for me, and
l shall be very unhappy if you go away
angry"
But she refused to be Modified. She
did not Scold me, and she coldly suffered
me TO embrace her at parting; but her
air was more grim than had ever seen
it, and / was conscious of having wound
ed her deeply.
Perhaps it is needless to say that Mr..
Dale was at the bottom Of my decision.
A few weeks previous 1 had confided to
him that Aunt Helen had invited me to
spend the summer with her at her new
cottage at Tinker'S Reach. He assured
me that there were few more charming
spots, that it was favorite resort of his
own, and that he himself proposed to
pass his vacation there. Naturally,'I
felt bound to q certain extent after this
to 90 to Tinker's Reach. Indeed, l was
eagerly looking forward to a continu-
ance Of our friendship under such happy
auspices.
When I had spoken to Mr.. Dale re-
garding his business he replied, as l
have already stated, that 1t was ''wool. "
But I noticed he was brief, and his
manner did not encourage me to ask
further questions. ascribed his re-
reserve TO modesty, or the proper re-
luctance some people have to talk OF
private affairs that In no way concern
the interrogation. This impression was
heightened by the Investigations which
l quietly made in regard to the point,
feeling that though l could not admit
the possibility as a doubt even in regard
to his business sagacity, it was we'll to
have evidence with which TO rebut the
inSinuationS OF my family. Every one
of the young men whom 1 questioned
regarding Mr.. Dale's prospects assured
me that he was doing very well, and at
tended his Office daily.
This was pleasant tidings, and en-
couraged me TO speak to him of the
matter had at heart. With all my
tendency TO romance and indifference to
the opinion OF others, realized that II
must be delcately handled. must not
seem to offer gift or to place him under
an obligation. Accordingly, one day
shortly before we left town, explained
TO him the condition OF my affairs; how
nv father had settled sum upon me
with the request that l should manage
IL intelligently, with view TO having
the control of larger amounts later. L
said further that / was anxious TO learn,
and to acquit myself with credit, and
that it had struck me as a brilliant
scheme to double my property fixed
upOn this as a reasonable estimate) by
some investment, He listened TO my
words with close attention, and as he
made no comment at this point l said:
"You are down town, Mr.. Dale, and
must necessarily understand business
matters. / come to you for advice. l
want you to tell me what to buy. l will
give YOU the money, and when you
think it time to sell l will authorize you
Id do so. You see | am not entirely lg-
norant myself"
Roger Dale gave short laugh and
made no response for a moment. 1T
wouldn't do" he said at last, shaking
his head. "What would your father say
II he heard OF il? He doesn't have any
too high an opinion of me already l
fancy"
"But, Mr.. Dale, that would be the
very way to prove to him that you are
practical business man. If my father
were 70 take you into his confidence he
could push YOU ahead very fast, know.
I will show him the profits Of your In
yestments and bestow the credit where
il belongs"
The idea seemed to amuse him, for he
laughed again. "You seem to forget,
Miss Harlan, that instead of profits you
might lose it all"
"That would be impossible. l have
too much confidence in your judgment
to fear any such result, l answered
sweetly, led away by the eagerneSs
felt to obtain his consent to the project.
He gave me swift sidelong glance
that made me tremble and set my heart
huttering, though did not know why.
Besides, said, speaking fast and
! feverlshly, "the money is mine. have
a right to do what 1 please with It,"
There was panse, and then he said
with the same glance, only longer and
intenser than before. miss Harlan, l
cannot accept such responsibility I'M
less you give it to me forever"
l was stunned. l had brought this
upon myself l could see plainly, now
that it was too late. Ny undignitied,
unfeminlne conduct stood out before me
the moment he had spoken, in all its
horrifylng nakedness. He had mistaken
nv meaning. but it was l who was TO
blame for the error. Inundated and
confused, was at loss for words; but
a reply was necessary.
.sYOu have misunderstood me entirely,
Mr.. Dale. Let us change the subject,