Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-05-08

saw nothing more OF Kate that day,
but I came across Slurk several times,
and there was peculiar look on the iel-
lows countenance which made me re-
new my longings TO chastise him. | was
anxious 20 know whether Mr.. Birch
more had returned; but as l could not
bring myself 70 make any inquiries OF
this valet and did not care to let him see
me asking any one else, | was obliged
To remain in ignorance. However, as l
sat out under the trees at dusk tall
figure, with lighted cigar in his mouth
appeared in the doorway OF the hotel,
aud upon my salutng him he Sauntered
up % my table and complied with my in
vitatiOn Co sit down.
The waiter brought us coffee, and I'M
der its stimulus / ventured TO introduce
the subject which lay nearest to my
heart 20 Mr.. Birchmore's notice. No
doubt put my best foot foremost, and
spoke as eloQuently as was consistent
with my downright earnestness and sim
cerity. Mr. Birchmore heard me almost
in silence, only giving evidence by an
occasional word or interrogation that be
was giving me his attention. Once or
twice. too, was aware OF his having
given me one Of those sharp, icy glanceS
for which be was remarkable. When l
had spoken be fingered the pointed beard
on his chin meditatively and pulled his
cigar.
This is a very fair and honorable
offer that you make, GainSborough," he
said at length. Il liked you before; l
like you better now. You take it for
granted, suppose, that am pretty well
OFT. There, YOU needn't say anything
have no doubt OF your disinterested-
ness: but these matters would have TO be
mentioned, sooner or later, If the affair
went on. / say 'if, becauSe-I may as
well tell you at once, il will save US all
pain-because il can't go on; IL must
stop right here; and l only regret, for
both your SakeS, that it has gone so
far"
Mr.. Birchmore, I cannot take this
for an answer. You have given me no
reasons. II you want confirmation OF
nv account Of myself, cam
81 want nothing Of the sOrt-On the
contrary, feel cOmplimented that you
should accept Us, not only without con-
firmation, but without question. But
you can't marry my daughter, Gains
borough, much as l like you, and much
as l dare say she does. When you are
older you will understand that men can
not always follow that course in the
world which appears to them most de-
sirabe."
However young or old l may be, Mr..
BirchmOre, I am old enough to know my
own mind and to require good reasons
for changing it. If you have any such
reasons, ] wish you'd show your liking
for me by telling me what they are"
"Do You remember a talk we once had
in Paris, when you limited that | should
accompany you on your jauntP / told
YOU then that the past life Of man
sometimes had hold over his present,
constraining his freedom whether he
would or not. And can't you imagine
that those circumstances, however, CO.
gent they may be, or very likely, just
because they are so cOgent, might be
verv incOnvenient to talk about? To
sneak plainly, SainsbOrOugh, ! don't see
how your loving my daughter obliges
me 10 tell you all the secrets OF my life. "
Il don't wish TO know your secrets,
sir; wish 10 marry Miss Birchmore.
MIR. BirchmOre laughed.
"Wel. you're pretty determined
wooer, :" said he. can't give my con-
sent 10 the match becauSe-weil, be-
cause cannot; but, if you won't take
nc for an answer, nor profit by the warn
ing I hereby give you, III tell you what
1 will do: 1 will allow you yourself to
discover and acknowledge the causes
which make your marriage with Kate
impossible. You must not blame me II
the discovery gives you pain and the
acknowledgment causes you mortihca'
ton. have given you fair warning.
And l will only add. sir, that the pain
and modification won't be all on your
side. could not give you stronger
pledge of my friendship and liking fol-
YOU than in thus letting you lind out
what has hitherto been hidden from al
the world. And l only demand one con
dition-that you promise, when you
nave made your discovery and left US,
never 70 mention to any human being
what our secret was.
II give that promise with pleasure
wnn ~ nv nwn fPop