Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-03


cor to some chocolate creams or to
the moon and stars" said Jack, with a
good humored smile, ''and you'd get
them for her. Say hundred and fifty"
"All right. A hundred and NIFTY"
Jack Stevens, shaded by his friends
tall form-for several persons passed
them as they were talking-counted
out thirty e5 Bank Of England notes
and slipped them into Arthur's hand.
THANK you. Jack"
"Not necessary. Good night, old
fellow, and good luck to you. Kiss the
pretty bride for me and give her my
love-"
ST will, old man."
A few minutes afterwards Arther
Gooch was in his chambers, clearing
Inp."a As he called it. He wanted TO
leave things as orderly as he could, ana
in the accomplishment of this laudaoie
design there was great deal to do. All
the time he was writing and tearing
nm papers and burning them, and pack
ing bags and portmanteaux' no was
thinking of Adelaide. -,
"Dear little woman! wonder II
she is asleep. She hasn't left things 10
the last as have done. Altogether too
tidy for that. While L am fussing
about In this musty room-what cozy
nest we shall come home to AFTER the
booneymoon there, she lies, with
smile on her pretty mouth, dreaming OF
me. Your health my darling !!
He had opened bottle of champaign,
of which he had already drunk glass,
and now he poured out ano ther, and as
he held il up to the light he saw Adel-
laide's bright eyes amid the sparkling
bubbles.
"Your health, my darling, and God
bless you'll"
He drained the glass, and set 1t down.
1t was really love match, OF which
there are more in this prosaic world
than cynics will admit. These young
people were all the world to each other,
and il anything occurred to prevent the
wedding coming off their hearts would
have been broken.
Arthur sat the glass upon the table
with tender light in his eyes, and as
he did so he heard q ring at the street
door below. He took no notice of the
ringing, and proceeded dreamiiy with
his packing. The wine he had drunk
intensified his sentimental mood. and
he paused many times to gaze upon the
portrait of his darling which stood In
the mantlepiece. 1t was speaking
likeness Of the beautiful face; the eyes
seemed to look at him with looks OF
love; the lovely lips seemed TO say, II
love you, 1 love YOU" and Arthur
pressed his lips to the sweet face and
murmured in response, 81 love you, l
love you With oil my hear and soul l
love you and will be true to you'll"
Suddenly IT occurred to him that the
street door bell continued to ring. The
sound Jared upon bis ears. Throwing
up his window he leaned forward, and
at the top OF his voice inquired who it
was that continued to ring so pertina-
ciously.
81 have come to see Mr.. Arthur
Gooch," was the answer.
TO see me?" he cried in wonder.
ayes, sir, If you are Mr.. Gooch."
What for?"
ION most particular business"
Wondering more and more, the young
man ran down the stairs and opened the
street door. In the dim light he saw
the figure Of gentleman with whose
face he was not familiar.
"What do you want with me?" ne
asked.
at will be best for us to speak pri-
vately," replied the stranger. at is a
most delicate matter"
"a most delicate matter?" stammered
Arthur.
"a most delicate matter!" repeated
the stranger in grave tone.
The young man did not reflect
upon the imprudence Of asking a
stranger up to his rooms at such an
hour of the night. With the eXcep-
ton of the housekeeper, who occu-
pied the basement, and who had been
heard to declare that nothing less than
an earthquake would wake her, once
she was asleep, Arthur Gooch was the
only night resident in the house. All
the chambers, with the exception Of his
were let as Offices, and were tenanted
only during the day. 1t is scarcely
probable, however, II Arthur had given
the matter a thought, that he would
have acted differently. Here was a
stranger paying him visit, at an I'M
timely hour it was true, but upon del
icate matter, which had best be dis
closed in private. Arthur was man
of muscle, and stood six feet and half
an inch in his stocking feet. The man
who had intruded himself upon him
was about 5 feet S, q weed Of a
man in comparison with him. There
was, moreover, no lack OF physical cour-
age in Arthur quality, it may be re-
marked, very different indeed from
moral courage, in which respect a pigmy
may be superior to giant.
"Come up" said Arthur, and the two
men assembled the stairs. Now" he
said, when they were together in his
room, with the door closed, "you see
that am very busy. Explain your err
rand as briefly as possible. What Is
this delicate matter you speak OFF
have not the pleasure OF your acquaint-
ance. Oh" he said, looking at card
presented by his visitor, "Mr. P. Fore
man. Your name is es strange to me
as your face. Who are you? What are
you?"
81 am a private detective" said Mr..
Z. Foreman.
"A private detective" cried Arthur,
with an ominous frown. And what
business can You have with me at this
hour of the night? I've mind to pitch
you out Of the window"
Don't try it," said Mr.. P. Foreman.
81 should be bound to resist, and my
shouts would be certain to bring some
one to my assistance. As to my bust
ness, it is, as have informed you, Of a
delicate nature"
Speak in plain English il you have
any regard for yourself"
sit is . very simple offer" said Mr..