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

longed with all my heart 10 KICK the
varlet into the hall or throw him out oil
the window. But prudence warned me
to bide nv time. II / obtained the foot
ing to which ] aspired In Mr.. Birch
more's family / would settle suRmarliy
with Mr.. Slurk; meanwhile ! should
best consult my interests by conducting
myself with all due quietness and de-
corum. / offered Kate my arm to lead
her from the room, but with barely
perceptlble gesture she declined 1t, and
walked swiftly before me through the
doorway, Slurk making another deep
obeisance as we passed. The fellow had
a smooth, unimpeachable way Of getting
the better of one that made my blood
boil. / commanded myself, not without
an effort, and nursed my wrath to keep
1t warm.
When we reached the court the brass
band had established itself In the little
pagoda erected there for its accommo-
dation and was just striking up, and
there, sure enough, were q table and
chairs awaiting US between. the trees.
But neither of US was in humor to
face a crowd OF people, and by tacit
agreement we turned to the left and,
crossing the little plank bridge which
spanned the narrow stream that skirted
the hotel grounds, we found ourselves
on the high road leading up the valley.
Along this we walked for some distance,
both OF us silent. AT length the open
ing OF path presented itself, which
climbed by zigZag route TO the sum-
NIT of the pine clad hill. Into this we
turned, and in few moments were out
of sight of alien eyes amid the thick
growing hemlocks. The ascent was
steep, and at the first turning In the
path my beautiful companion paused
for breath.
"Will you take my arm now Kate?" 1
said.
With a faint smile she complied.
Just for this once" heard her MUIR
muir, seemingly speaking to herself.
Never again-but this once will"
Now Kate" l said rosolutely, bend
ing forward so as to catch her eye, "let
us have done with mysteries. No more
never agains' and Just this once II
you please! First, l want you to tell
me whether you love me-"
She drew her breath hard.
Il can tell you nothing, Mr.. Gains
borough
You shall not call me mr.. Gains
borough II you can't call me Tom,
call me nothing; but will never be Mr..
Gainsborough' to you again"
II thought we were to have no more
never agains?'" she rejoined, with a
passing sparkle OF the old playfulness
in her air.
None OF yours, meant"
81 will call you Tom, If you please,
on one condition.
What condition."
That you let it be Just this once !"
"Kate, do you love me?"
"Oh, you are cruel" she cried with
passionate emphasis. slipping her hand
from my arm and facing me with glow
ing looks. 81 wish could say hate
you! You are man Of the world, and l
a poor girl from convent, who knows
nothing. am trying TO do right, and
YOU oppose me-you make 1t hard and
bitter to me. If you loved me as las |
would love il l were man, you would
not press me so. tell you it must not
be-"
"What Is, shall be, Kate! Dear Kate,
we love each other, and who In the world
shall prevent it or forbid our being mar
ried?"
"Hush! hush! She came step
nearer to me and caught my sleeve with
her little hand as timorous child
might do, glancing nervously over her
shoulder as II something fearful were
hidden among the trees. "Did you
hear nothing?" she whispered. "Did
not some one call me?"
"Only have called you, dear. l
called you Kate, and now want to
call you wife.
She continued to stand motionless,
with that frightened, listened express
sion still on her face; and yet my words
had apparently passed unheard. What
was 10, then, that her ears were strained
to catch? To my sense the forest was
full OF shadowy stiffness, tempered only
by a faint whispering of leaves, and now
and then bird note high overhead.
Gradually the strange preoccupation
left her. Her breathing, which had
been irregular and labored, now came
evenly and gently once more. She
glanced sidelong at me for a moment,
then with swift. tender movement she
came vet a trifle closer and laid her
other hand upon my arm.
"Tom-Tom, dear! will say 1t, for
we shall be parted soon; and then, II l
am alive, l shall be comforted little to
think that did say Il. Lsten-Tom,
dear, love you. Never forget that
said it-Tom / love you"
l was taken deliciously by surprise.
You must not expect me to tell how
felt or what l said. can only remem-
Der that took her in my arms and
kissed her. The bird that warbled over
our heads seemed to utter the ecstacy
that felt.
Presently we began to move on again.
I don't know why / didn't speak. Per-
haps thought that our kiss had been
the seal OF her surrender, and that there
fore words were for the moment imperti-
nent. BY and by the converse would be
renewed from a fresh basis. Besides,
nv thoughts were flying to fast just
then for speech to overtake them. l was
thinking how singular had been the
manner and progress OF our acquaint-
ance. 1t was scarcely in accordance
with what l believed to be my normal
temperament and disposition to plunge
so abruptly and almost recklessly into
new order and responsibility OF life. l
had faLcied myself too cautious, too
cool beaded, for such an impulsive act.
But it was done, and the fact that
Kate's feelings had responded to my
own seemed to justify the apparent risk.
We were meant for each other and had
come toeether In sheer despite of all