Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-05-01

be glad OF q lodger If you are not
broken into z travellers hardships,
though. you'll prefer the Badehaus."
II think 1 shall prefer It as long as
you are there"
"Well, I'm sorry to say it won't be
long-we shall move tomorrow morn
ing. If l had expected you, II
should have been happy to have ar
ranged matters otherwise. But the
fact is, / have engaged rooms at one OF
the farmhouses l spoke OF, and to-mor-
row they will expect me"
Ny spirits fell at this news ike
feather in a vacuum, and dare say my
face showed it. There could be no doubt
now that Mr.. Birchmore was resolved
to get rid OF me. That he would go to-
morrow to some distant farmhouse did
not question, but as to his having in
tended any such thing before he saw me
alight from the train confess didn't
believe IL. 1t was an unprecedented
expedient, and his inviting me up to
the Badehaus was only polite mitiga-
ton of the shock.
81 am very sorry" was all l could
say.
Kate turned her face a little toward
me at the words and her eyes met mine
sidelong. Only that look-she did not
speak-but l saw, or thought saw,
enough in it to make our parting at such
brief notice a sentimental impossibility.
At whatever sacrifice of the laws OF
ceremony and civilized reserve, deter
mined that my acquaintance with her,
so we'll begun, should not thus be nip
ped in the bud. l would sooner win
her as barbarian than lose her as a
man of the world. How to execute my
determination was a problem to be
solved at my leisure.
We sauntered on to the hoteh chat
ting discursvely; my mind was too
much preoccupied TO be thoroughly
aware what we were talking about.
Arrived at our destination, followed
my trunk to my room, having arranged
to take an ear dinner with my friends,
1t was nearly two hours before we met
again. The dinner passed with the
same sort Of desultory conversation that
we had affected during our walk. Mr..
Brchmore's manner was serious ana
rather cold. Kate, too, was suodued
and grave; not the brilliant, laughing
Kate OF the railway carriage. We were
waited upon at table by the saturnine
valet, whom his master called Slurk-a
name that seemed TO me to suit him ex-
cellently well. He waited on US In per-
feet silence from the beginning of the
meal TO the end, though several times
peremptorily addressed by his master.
There was to me something disagree
ably impressive in the fellows very tao
iturnity-it seemed to indicate reserved
power. Kate, l noticed, was careful
never to speak to him, but l saw his
glance several times directed fixedly
upon her.
After dinner Mr.. Birchmore pro-
duced cigar and said;
II must take drosky over to our
farmhouse. Do our young people care
to come, or would you rather stay
here?"
81 think I'll stay, papa, please" an
swered Kate.
And l, to see that nobody runs away
with her." 1 added, with an easy smile.
"Slurk, get me carriage" said Mr..
Birchmore, and nodding goodbye to
us, he went out.
"How far is it from here-this farm
house, Miss Birchmore?" l asked when
we were alone.
81 believe about two miles"
II should like to know its exact sit
uation."
"Why didn't you go with papa,
then?"
Cant you imagine?"
oke W lyo In
handkerchief into folds in her lap.
Now she looked up.
''Why do you wish to know where we
are going?"
Because I've taken a great fancy to
to Mr.. Slurk, and l can't bear to
thing of losing sight Of him."
l had expected her to laugh and per-
haps blush; instead OF that an express
sion OF something like terror swept
over her face, and she laid her finger on
her lip.
Don't talk of him" she whispered.
Her emotion had so astonished ME
that | could only stare in silence. Here
was another myStery-or stay! could 1T
be that Surk was at the bottom OF all
those strange signs and enigmas that
had been puzzling myself over from the
first? was prepared to believe what
ever amount Of evil concerning the fell
low might be required. But what could
he have done, or have in his power 10
do, that could so affect Miss Birchmore?
Had he held her life or fortune at the
mercy OF word, she could hardly have
betrayed more dismay at my testing
satire.
"It's nothing" she said. recovering
herself after a moment. "0nly ! don't
like him much, aud you-and | wasn't
expecting TO hear his name just then"
Heaven knowsit is very different
name l should have spoken"
mo, no, no! You have amused your
self with me to-day, and tomorrow you
must find some one else to amuse you,
that's all!'
Amused myself, Miss Birchmore?"
"Well, Mr.. Gainsborough, I'm sorry
if failed to entertain you. I'm sure 1
tried hard. But It's so difficult to try
to entertain an Englishman!"
Upon my word, l believe you've
been laughing at me from the begin
ming! But however ridiculous l may
be, Miss Birchmore, can have thoughts
and feelings that are Lot ridiculous
ooh, please-please don't be angry.
And I'm sure l never thought you ridic-
ulous-I-oh, anything but that
The tone. the look which accompa-
MED these last words made me forget
caution and self possession for a mo-
ment. miss Birchmore-oh, Kate! |
cannot lose sight Of you'll cannot lose
you! Do you care-is it nothing to you
il we never meet after to-day? Kate,
Love vOur