Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-08

i the least OF ler CndImS was sol
! sweet voice, that gave TO her Creole
! English, melody contrasting strongly
/ with that shrill nasal dissonance with
which so many American girls speak
! the vernacular.
/ Perron loved his daughters as much
as he could any lg that it was not
possible to turn inso money, but he was
master in his own household, as most
! Frenchmeu are where there's no mother
about, and the girls were somewhat
afraid Of him. But Julie had made up
her mind that in one regard she would
be her own mistress-no authority, par
entail or otherwise, would make her
marry other than the man she loved;
and old Perron would have gone out OF
/ his senses had he known that MS
younger daughter had made up her
mind who that man was TO be.
Miss Julie had one bosom friend, Ellen
Hardy, the daughter of Captain Hardy,
all Englishman, who ruled his household
from the quarterback and swore at
Helen for having anything TO do with
'them French Scavamouches. But
Helen had a brother Frank, a stalwart,
resolute fellow OF 20, who was mate In
one of his fathers ships, and had for the
last ten years adored Julie Perron.
| When schoolgirl it used to amuse julie
while coming home to see Frank, great
broad shouldered boy, following her
from the other side of the street, and
he, in his heart, used to wish that some
big fellow, a regular haul-bowine-man-
| of-war sailor, would say something 10
Miss Julia, and Frank was sure that not
for money would he spare that warriors
! life.
Julie was teaching music, and as her
| fathers fortunes waned her laoors
greatly sustained the family finances.
Although she aud Frank did not often
meet, both understood that their future
would not be separated.
One day Julie was called into the par
lor and found there her father ana a
tall gentleman dressed "a la mode, ana
to him she was formally introduced.
His name was Ravel. His manner was
exceedingly off.hand, as II he were In
the society OF interiors, and after one
look at his cold CLASSY eyes the girl con-
ceved hearty aversion to her
fathers friend. He was evidently
impressed by her appearance, and
at once put on an air OF familiarity
that made Julie very angry, but there
was another sentiment that moved her
as strongly, and that was fear Who
was this associate of her fathers, what
was his character and businessP She
knew something Of his affairs, and her
heart beat with apprehension lest this
deadly-looking stranger must DO one OF
those Iawless adventures who had al
ready got him into trouble, nor was her
fathers manner reassuring. lie seemed
afraid of his guest, and addressed MIN
with a deprecating air, very different
from his usual bluff, off-hand manner.
Perron had profted in some way by
the captains coming, as he was enabled
to take up certain bills otherwise I'M
! provided for. For the next two weeks
Ravel was a daily visitor to the house,
and Julie could not mistake his atten-
tiops. Her marked Indifference at times
seemed to anger the man and the seam
on his face grew red, and his eyes III up
with an expression that was appall-
ing. He said little about himself, but
explained his familiarity with English,
which he spoke better than French. by
saying that his youth was spent in Eng
land.
At length the crisis came. One day
Perron called his daughter into his
room, carefully closed the door and
said: my daughter, have something
to say to you. My affairs are in such a
condition that | can escape ruin only
through you" Poor jules heart stood
| still.
captain Ravel wishes to make you
his wife. He is an honorable gentleman,
rich and respected. and he will assist
me as your husband, but not otherwise.
You owe me the obedience due a parent
and will, no doubt, meet my wishes.
CAPTAIN Ravel will speak to you to-day"
Her fathers manner was stern and
menacing, and he seemed TO think that
no decision was necessary. All OF jules
courage evaporated and without Woro
she left the room.
The captain did speak and with an
air that indicated no expectation OF re-
pulse. "He would do his best to make
Miss Julie happy, and they would spend
their honeymoon in England, where he
had relatives who would be delighted to
welcome a bride so beautiful" The girl
had regained her courage, and after
speaking of her father commands, said
firmly that before taking so important
a step she would need week for DELHI
Grafton.
Ravel scowled and said: well, a
week, no longer. Pardon lovers i'm
patience. That will enable us to have the
ceremony on Christmas Day-a happy
omen for our future.
Two days before this Frank Hardy
had returned from Havana, and was
posted by his sister, who was in daily
communication with Julie Perron.
Helen received her brothers proposition
to start out at once and make smithe-
reens of the captain with scornful
levty.
go away, you great donkey. You'll
spoil everything. Let US women man
age our own affairs"
In the meantime the captain, sumter
ing down the street humming a tune,
was somewhat disturbed by meeting a
a broud- shouldered young fellow, with
big brown eyes, who scowled at him
ferociousiy, causing the captain to slip
his hand under his coat tails, where bis
pistols rested, but Frank Hardy re-
strained his desire "to break the in
fernal Picaroon's neck" and passed on.
Other eyes were watching the captain,
however, and in certain quarters he was
an object OF much interest.
II was evident to Julie that both her
l.. L. AoI