Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-02-19
CHAPTER II.


absolutely no help for it. And last night
danced my last walse, suppose, for
Mrs. Pritchard told me in confidence
that the reverend gentleman highly
disapproved of dancing"
Sylvia was sitting on her bed for
lornly regarding torn tulle ball dress
with eyes that were sparkling as much
with anger as any other feeling.
81 never could have believed papa
could have done such thing. And yet
l might have known thai there was ao-
soiutely no end to the surprises he pre-
pares Tor me-"
Rachel was silent, for they had talked
over the subject so often in the last few
days that she could neither soothe nor
advise any more.
I've got six months to do IT ill.," pro-
ceeded Sylvia recklesSiy; and if the mar
has got no prehistoric attachment on
record he ought to come up to the
scratch by then"
But how shall you get to know
him?"
GOA, through the Hazelfords, Of
course. They are hand in glove with
him. I took a good look at him the
other day, Rachel, when l met him In
the street. Poor creature, he little
thought that he was passing the woman
who meant 10 be his wife"
Perfectly unmoved at Sylvia'Sunusua
way OF putting things, Rachel ccSh
herself to asking what Mr.. Dyson %as
like in appearance.
"Like?" said Sylvia, inditferently,
q Of
with loving regrets. "Well, ne is rather
ike a well-bred horse, somehow-those
Roman -nosed ones, you know, with
rather wide nostrils. And he has thin,
sandy hair and lean appearance"
sylvia! you cannot mean to marry
him? Even you would not be mad
enough"
81 never felt more resolute in my life.
I might have wavered little perhaps
il il had not ccen for one thing, but
row nothing would move me"
II thought something mad happened,
your eyes were so big. What is up"
Well" began Sylvia, setting herself
IN a more comfortable position, sit is
this: you see, heard it at the dance.
l tell you that l meant TO be nice to
George Brett, ans 1 was, though must
say his is a style that DO not admire.
He made remarks on every ono In the
room, running down all the girls, lex
cept, OF course, your humble servantO
and telling me that the prettiest girl
there wasn't patch on the woman who
was coming down TO stay with them In
three weeks time. He assured me that
She was simply divine. l asked who 1t
was. and he said: Mrs. Leslie, and
Jim's coming, too, OF course Well, you
might have knocked me over with
feather after that. But did have the
presence of mind TO make out that the
jim Leslie l was engaged TO and this
man are one and the same. They are"
Doesn't he know you live here?'
"No. 1t was all over three years ago,
and we have only been here two. Now
you see why / have 9 double reason for
marrying MIR. Dyson, Rachel. Jim
shall not have the pleasure OF imagin-
ing that 1 have kept single for his
sake"
But you are sure it's his wife? 1t
might be his mother"
but he is an orphan, OF parents be-
reft, you see! No, I've made up my
mind and shall make him propose as
quickly as possible" She knitted her
pretty browS for moment. 81 must
get to know a little about his character
first, though. Not that il will help me
one bit, for when you know one man
you know ali. They are perfect sheep.
Platter them aud you can lead them
wherever you like"
She shook herself of the bed as she
spoke aud landed on the floor in crum-
pied heap.
81 am going to the HazelfordS this
very minute, Rachel, and.I want you 70
come. too. There is not q moment to
be lost. know he Will be there. 1t is
their day at home day, and he loves tea
and scandal. have got to know that
already, you see."
She dressed herself rapidly and plain
", smoothing down the mutinOus curls
with a relentless hand. She was dressed
in Quaker gray from head to foot, with
a little gray plume in her close-ftting
hat.
"Now I'm sure that looks neat and
Quiet. Just the sort OF thing to strike
the eye. He will say, What nice,
simple, unaffected little girl And he
will walk home with US, Rachel. Mark
my words.
The clock struck as the two girls
entered Mrs. Hszelford's drawing room.
Sylvis's eyes at once took In the fact
that there was only one guest present,
and that her victim.
She prepared for conquest.
Il don't think you have met Mr.. Dy
son BEFORE" said Mrs. Hazelford, per-
forming the introduction with lazy good
humor. ''Mr. Dyson-MiSs Lennox,
Miss Desmond"
Sylvia sat modestly down on small
chair, and asked Miss Hazelford in a
clear. low voice how the clothing club
was getting on.
II shall have few little contribu-
tions TO send you, dear Mrs. HaZelford,
she said. 81 AN AFRAID it will be a try
ing winter for the poor"
Her hostess was little surprised at
Sylvia's unusual charity, but IS she was
one of those persons upon whom it is
possible to practice the grOsseSt deceD-
tionS without their ever being conscious
of il, she took the offer in very good
part.
Poor girl, dare say she thinks it is
time she was doing some good in the
world" she thought, without an idea
Of Sylvia's Interior motive in the mat
ter. women do wake up like that
sometimes. 1 suppoee, and l am sure l
shall be very glad OF her help in the
parish"
And in the meantime Sylvia, in soft
cooling voice, was thanking the rector
enthusiastically for his last Sundays
sermon.
"Ii only you knew what long time