Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-01
CHAPTER ".

ma w.
The inspiration did not desert him.
All day aud farinto each night be wrote
with felicitous ease. No hint OF his love
passed his lips to Virginia. Pride,with
q promise Of ultimate victory in its
warning voice, babe passion wait.
"YOu are nothing, you have nothing
now, but some day you will. Some day
you may dare ask her TO add her love
the richest jeWel-tO = Measure already
full"
And 90 she time went Oy with an out
ward seeming Of eventiul q%uietude, and
October came.
Virginia sat alone one bright after
noon. She was painting 3 panel for a
fashionable shop that was pleased TO ac-
cept her work and pay as little as was
possible for TO-. Her head was bent low,
and a loosened strand of hair swept her
cheek. Her figure in its inclined po-
sition revealed a supple strength and
complete repose.
The little maid who helped her about
the house had departed, and the room
was quiet, save that q tiny white kitten
purred before the stove and the clock
ticked upon the mantel. Aud how a
clock can tick in a silent room! CUES
ton il: it answers you Sit mute, and
it voices your thoughts. Virginia laid
her brush down and listened TO 1t.
There was something pathetically
childish about her as she sat there, her
chin upon her open hand, her dilated
ewes couched under the delicate brOwS,
mirroring the passionate regret that Of
late had poisoned all her days.
She was not in Toms confidence now.
She did not share his walks. The gay
familiar companionship so utteraoly
dear was ended. Ho did not knOw-hs
never must know-how often she had
crept TO his door late at night TO listen
to the scratch Of his impetuOus pen.
Perhaps her words had stung him to
such violent activity he would soon
leave them 90 fight fortune in a wider
field. Astartled breath broke upon her
lips. What would this place be with
out him? What would her life be? The
clock answered with a cynical, knowing
tick.
A shadowy wave Of desolation rushed
over her, and the room grew dark. Her
hands fell down helplessly. The CLOCK
licked louder, like a garrulous crone
foretelljng disaster.
"V~Iruiniar" fell upon her ears with a
soft suddenuess that startled her. Inc
panel slipped from her knees, and
g~raspiug the arms Of the chair she
turned her head TO find Tom standing
above her.
Il have been watching you for a full
minute" be said, throwing MS hat
down and drawing over 3 low STOOL so
that be faced her.
In the hushed, masterful whisper she
recognized something unusual. Some
thing unusual in his face too. Repres'
non was there, excitement, JOY.
~ didn't hear you come in" virginia
answered, her voice sounding thick and
far away 10 her avn ears.
She half stopped TO draw BACK the
piece OF satin on which = bunch OF
daisies was still wet. He caught her
hand and with gentle fingers that
brooked no resistance took the thing
away and placed il out OF her reach.
dear little hand!" and his voice was
heavy with love, dear, faithful little
hand, Let it rest awhile here Vir-
gidjs.'
The girl shivered as one does who
rushes from a cold vault into the sun
light
"Look az me-" she heard him saying
In half suppressed voice OF intense ex-
ultat.on. 81 am the happiest fellow In
New York. You told me you believed
In me. You told me that. Oh, Virginia,
how those words have stald with me.
And YOU were right. have succeeded.
NV last uIav was accepted and by the
man who rejected all the others"
A boyish laugh Of pure delight left
his lips, and he sank on his knees be-
side her.
I'D like to set all the bells in the
chapel pealing, call out the fellows and
tell them the exchange was not so a
after all. Not so bad, eh, Virginia."
he asked, thinking how lovely were the
y%elvety deeps OF her eyes.
1T is so sudden, so strange. But,
oh, there is such gladneSs and light In
nv heart for you, Tom! Tell me more,
tell me all about IT,"
BE leaned closer. She felt his hand
Dpop her shoulder. His mouth, in its
1.-the, boyish curves, was very near her
own.
There is something else must tell
you first, be said slowly.
In that long, sultry look she knew
all. Her pulses quickened. A fire grew
In her heart, he loved her, then. Oh,
he did, be did!
Their faces were so close there was =
rasistless impulse, q moment OF con-
fused, delirious 10y, and their lips
cluug in a kiss that drew Virginia's
heart with iE.
Toms lids fell heavily. He was very
white. A great sigh came from his lips:
'Virglnian-
But the door on"~Ad Tom had