Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-08-28

The fact Is that Mary has lived so quiet
" with me here that she Is still a child
Miss Meredith, whom dare say you
have met here, has been almost her only
friend, and / am quite certain that the
thought Of marriage has never crossed
their minds. II you, or even /, were te
speak OF such thing to Mary it Wonlo
only brighten her."
81 should not think Of speaking to her
on the subject at present." the baronet
interposed rather hurriedly, "but
thought It better to explain my position
to you. You know what l am, that
have been almost vagrant on the race
Of the earth since Preached manhood,
but no one can see more clearly than
do myself how unworthy am OF her.
81 do not need tell you" said the col
onel, taking the baronet's hand, that
| used to like you, Dowton, and, indeed,
know no one whom would prefer for
a son-in-law. But you must be eau
tious with Mary.
81 shall be very cautious" said the
baronet: iindeed there Is no hurry
none whatever"
Col. Abinger would have brought the
conversation TO close, but there was
something more for Dowton TO say.
~ agree with you" he said, forget
ting, perhaps, that the colonel had not
spoken on this point, "that Miss Ao-
niger should be kept ignorant for the
present Of the cause that drove me on
that former occasion from the castle" "
at Is the wisest course TO adopt,
said the colonel, looking as X he had
thought the matter out step by step.
THE only thing l am doubtful
about" continued Dowton, sis whether
Miss Abinger will not think that she Is
entitled to some explanation. She can
not, fear, have forgotten the circum-
stances of my departure"
make your mind easy on that score,
said the colonel. THE best proof that
Mary gave the matter little thought
even at the time is that she did not
speak Of IL to me. Sweet seventeen has
always a short memory"
"But | have sometimes thought since
that Miss Ablnger did care for me a
little, in which case she would have I'M
fortunate cause to resent my flight"
While he spoke the baronet was look
ing anxiously into the colonel's face.
II can give you my word for it," said
the colonel, cheerlly, that she did not
give your disappearance two thoughts
and | must question whether she will
recognize you"
Dowton's face clouded, bat the other
misInterpreted the shadow.
fp1 NJ
colonel, kindly, land trust an old stager
like myself for being able to read into a
woman's heart"
Shortly afterwards Col. Abinger left
his guest, and for nearly five minutes
the baronet looked detected. 1t is some
times advantageous to hear that lady
with whom you have watched the moon
rise has forgotten your very name, but
it is never complimentary. BY and by,
however, Sir Clements sense OF humor
drove the gloom from his chiselled face,
and glass bracket over the mantel-
piece told him that he was laughing
heartily.
1t was small breakfast party at the
castle next morning, Sir Clement and
Greybrooke being the only guests, but
the baronet was so gay and morose by
turns that he might have been two per-
sons In the middle OF laugh at some
remark of the captains he
would break of with a
Sigh, and Immediately after
sadly declining another cup Of coffee
from Mary, he said something humor-
Gus to her father. The one mood was
hn OIL
but it would have been difficult to de-
eide which was which. 1t is, however,
one OF the hardest things in life to re-
main miserable for any length Of time
on a stretch. When Dowton found him
self alone with Mary his fingers were
playing en- exhilarating tune on the
window-sill, but II he looked at her his
hands fell to his eide and there was pa
thos in his fine eyes. Drawn towards
her, took a step forward, but Miss
Abinger said mo" so decislvely that he
stopped irresolute.
II shall be leaving the castle in an
hour" Sir Clement said, slowly.
Papa told me-" said Mary, that he
had prevailed upon you to remain for a
week"
"He pressed me to do so, and con-
sented, but you have changed every
thing since then. All, Mary
miss Abinger," said Mary.
"Miss Abinger, II you would only lis
ten 10 what l have to say. can explain
everything. /"
There is nothing TO explain" said
Mary, nothing that have either a
right or desire to hear. Please do not
return TO this subject again. | said
everything there was TO say last night"
The baronet's free paled, and he
bowed his head in deep detection. His
voice was trembling little, and he OBJ
served it with qualification as he ans
wered:
"Then I suppose I must bid you
good .byeP"
Good bye" said Mary. "Does papa
know you are going?"
Il promised him TO stay on" said Sir
Clement, land can hardly expect him
20 forgive me IL change my mind
This was put almost in the form OF a
question, and Mary thought she under
stood 1t.
Then you mean to remain?" she
asked.
"You compel me to CO." he replied
dolefully.
ooh, no." satd Mary, 81 have moth
Ing to do with your going or staying"
"But-it would hardly do for me to
remain after what took place last
night" said the baronet, In the tone Of
one who was open to contradiction.
For the first time in this conversation
Mary smiled. 1t was not, however, the
smile every man would care 70 see at
his own expense.
slf you we're TO 60 now" she said,
You would not be fulfilling your prom
Use to papa, and know that men DO not
like to break their word to-to other
men"