Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-16
PISODB I'M AM old MAIDS LIFR
By Blan che Atkinson.

IN the sight OF the face she had loved
for years, and whose heart leaped for
ioy al the sound of the voice for which.
she had once pinned. lie had asked
about her and her people, but In some
odd way the conversation always slip
ped back TO him aud bis concerns.
be told Patience the sad history OF
his miserable marriage; then about his
various successes ia the art world; the
pictures be had painted aud the pic
lures he was going to paint. 1t was
not vanity--Or not excess OF vanity. 1t
was only that Patience was supremely
interested in everything he had to say
about himself, and be was naturally
interested In the same subject. Men
are often accused of more than fair
share Of vanity, simply because women
make good listeners and will even pre-
tend 20 be interested rather than hurt
the dear mans feelings when he relates
for the twentieth time the real reason
why his poem was abused 0y the crit
les, or his picture rejected by the Aca-
demictans. Men are not constituted In
tina, way, and are capable OF taking
up the newspaper to screen themselves
lIOA TIC IGpt0LbA ACNAsas u NSt-~'N'N
/ difficulties or feminine trials.
Aud so you are. living alone" An
| thony Roscoe said, when he rose to
leave, aud fingered, holding Patience
| Wrignt's hand and looking into her face
with tender SOlicitude. ut is sad for
woman TO be alone, but you were al
WAYS fond OF books and that sort or
thing l suppose you amuse yourself?
Her self-pUssession was sorely strain
ed as she answered: ut has been sad,
sometimes. But loneliness is more
bearable than uncOngeuisl companion
ship, and your life has been sadder than
mine. should like TO tell you how sor-
ny l nave often been for you.
Thank yOu, thank you lie pressed
her hand warmly, and hurried from the
room. Patience followed him TO the
front door. It was a relief TO step into
the little porch and feel the cool wind
and rain on her hot face.
at was very good Of you to come and
see me, Anthony"
1T has been a great pleasure, Pa
thence. May come again tomorrow?
l am staying az the inn down there for
ten days or 80. l wanted to have look
at this country, and you seem TO have
pitched upon the very best Dit OF the
whole. II it should be fine tomorrow
We could have ramble up behind your
place here. II looks very inviting. l
will Ia round about II O'clock-may -"
Patience felt ashamed Of the delight
which she feared must express itself in
her face and voice, as she consented TO
the proposal. She stood In the porch
aud watched her visitor descend the
road until he was out Of sight. Then
she looked up, startled into an exclama-
sion. The SKY was all aglow with stormy
light; as the dark clouds were swept
away q sutTused yellow CLEAN broke up
on the bracken covered mountain slopes
aud liz up every orange rusSet-colored
tree in the woods. until toe whole scene
seemed stepped In a golden radiance.
Deep gold glOwed the wet fern and pale
gold the hanging birChes on the cliff
sides, like fountains changed from wa
ter 10 shining magic g The color
was marvelOusly intel nd Patience
felt her soul enlarged with the grand
eur Of the world Of beauty revealed to
her.
Chow he will enjoy this" she muir
INJURED 70 herself when at last she turn
ed 20 20 in.
But Mr.. Roscoe, as it happened, was
not carried away by enthusiasm. As be
pl0dded along the muddy road he had
mis- back 10 the western sky; also, he
kept his eyes employed in selecting the
least Objectionable side Of the road aud
in trying 10 avoid the largest pools.
He dis,lked getting his feet wet Be
sides, on consulting his watch he found
that it was close upon the hour fixed for
dinner, and he had to walk quickly.
He also dis.iked, almost more than any
thing else, TO be late for dinner
and have his soup served cold. 1t was
not until he was enjoying his even
ing smoke that he began 10 think
in any definite shape about the old
friend whom he had found in this out
of-the-way corner OF the world. at
was odd to drop upon Patience Wright
here. was very fond OF her once, and
if hatunhappy Caroline had not crossed
my path and fascinated me, l dare say
should have married Patience. She Is
not much fallen Off-cOuSiderlng her
age. In fact, think she is better look
ing now than she wasas a girl. Her fea-
lures were rather large, and her manner
too serious ami aOrupt-aS a girl. But
she was q dear soul-honest as the day;
and the most atfeCtionate friend. Yes!
Il was very pleasing 20 see her, aud she
seemed pleased. wonder
- She looked delighted when I
spoke Of going again tomorrow.
She would be a nice companion for
any man. She is sympathetic, too;
doesn't worry one about her
own affairs, but seems TO take real In
terest ia a fellows pursuits. dare say
10 would be a very sensible step, and
would make me much happier aud more
comfortable. Those confounded serv-
ants have driven mo from home now,
when would much rather have staid
where l was. am not made for club
life. like my own table-and my own
freside, and little happiness have had
st either-sO far! Well-neyer too late
TO mend. There Is a chance OF domes-
tic peace now, perhaps! She does not
seem a bit like stranger. We met on
the old terms exactly; II there is any
change, 1 think she is gentler, more /
womanly, perhaps, than she was twenty
years ago. / must see more or her.
In pursuance OF which resolution, |
Anthony Roscoe spent the greater part |
of the next three days in the company |
OF his new old friend, and each evening
his meditations dwelt more compliment |
~ upon the prospect Of second mar
rlage.
The weather improved, and Miss
Wright, though not able TO do any no. |
table thing in the way Of mountaineer-
ing, was quite able TO spend several
hours at time in leiSurely rambles !