Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-12-11

she had predicted. AUD now anu bnen,
as he talked, Mr.. Kingstone bent for
ward and took the kitten in his own
large hand.
Miss Redding watched this slayer Of
giants and caresser Of cats with some
wonder. II her caresses were more
graceful than his, it was because she
did we'll all that she undertook. His
were those Of the genuine lover OF
dumb beasts, and Miss Redding had not
been thrown with men who petted cats.
You see we were frlghtfully poor
when l made my bolt for the West,
went on Mr.. livingstone. I'VE had lost
all we had In the world. 1t was good
thing, as it turned out, but l wonder II
you know what inconsistencies means?"
Miss Redding smiled an odd little
smile as memory of what her home
had been arose before her.
''No," she said, 81 don't believe 1 do
know.
ST don't suppose you have ever
known what it meant to be hungry,
either?" said Mr.. livingstone, laughing.
"It's much the same feeling. Some
times l used TO wonder which was
which.
Miss Redding smiled again, but COM
mitted herself to nothing.
Everything was different" Mr..
livingstone went on. The only thing
that looked like home was the sun. 1
got some comfort out OF 1t by day and
out of the moon and stars by night"
He shook his shoulders as if throwing
off remembrance.
"Well, it's all over now, and with no
scars left, thank Godl That's the rub
with a successful man. They are apt
to come out on the other side marked
for life somehow.
"Then you did succeed?"
eyes, have done fairly well. am
a wealthy nap as men go. But it's only
changing one kind Of work for another,
after all. My partner is never aole 10
spare me. 1 have been waiting Tor nj
teen years to get sick for holiday ana
it's been long in coming. This is my
first visit East since left there. 1t has
been all that time since l saw my ,peo-
pie. Now we are going to have good
old-tashloned Christmas together
They have promised US a Christ
mas tree, pudding on fire, stocking
and all. Yes, life has been slow TO an
swer sometimes, but she has given me
what asked for In the end. That's
the history of my life"
II his words were meant as an invita-
ton for counter confidence, they met
with no such response from Miss Red
ding. Early in the conversation her
companion had told her his name out
he was still ignorant OF hers.
He was now looking at her closely.
Eyes. 1 am sure Of it," he said. IL
have seen you somewhere.
Miss Redding started. "WhereP" she
asked.
That's just it. I can't place it; but
1 am positive that have. Have you
ever been in San Francisco"
A recollection of the San Francisco
theatre and a sea of faces rose before
Miss Reddihg's eyes. Yes, she was
sure he had seen her, although she had
not distinguished him. He had been
the mass and she the unit.
''Oh, yes, I have been there" she re-
piled.
"Then 1 may have seen you at the
theatre, perhaps?"
All the Gypsy blood Of Miss Red
ding's veins laughed aloud. Her eyes
filled with mischief. She dropped her
lashes, her eyes looking out at hlm be-
tween her dark shadows.
Eyes" she said, with gravity, 'you
may. was at the theatre pretty con-
stantly."
Mr.. livingstone was still regarding her
closely, apparently searching his mem
ory. He shook his head and gave 1t up.
4 wonder IL you realize how hard 1t
is to talk and avoid using any name,
be said, finally.
"My name is Patsy Carrick," an
swered Miss ReddinR; and as she spoke
she laughed suddenly for no obvious
reason,
1t was perfectly true. That had been
her name in a previous existence, now
so far behind her that the words did
not come very trippingly from her lips.
Her companion had already partially
recognized her. She knew it would only
have been necessary for her to say
Rosina Reddng for him to place her
entirely, and not as a star, to be treat
ed with the Difference due to one.
She had been wonderfully clever to
have gained the position she held. And
she meant to do better, but that had
not come yet. In the meantime she
would be Patsy Carrick to whom she
chose. Matters were well as they stood
and after all it was no affair OF his.
"Miss Carrick," said Mr.. Kingstone.
"Patsy Carrickl What quaint, catchy
little name"
at is a pity they changed it, then"
thought Miss Redding. "Roslna Red
ding looks better on the posters,
though"
"Are you going East for Christmas,
also? asked Mr.. livingstone.
Eyes, am on my way to New York.
Nv people are arranging for Christ
mas festival, too. l must be in time
for It,"
"Shall you have Christmas-tree?"
The corners OF Miss Redding's mouth
twitched.
oYes, we are going to have Christ
mas-tree, and 1 have engaged to dance
a fancy dance around il with some OF
the children"
II was all true, every word of it.
Was not the new play, "a Christmas
Tree" and was not the new fancy
dance expected to be one of the leading
features?
81 would give the world to see IT,"
said Mr.. Kingstone, and Miss Redding
had to bite her tongue. "You could
see it for good deal less and from an
was on the tin OF IL.