The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-07

CHAPTER XI
SIR sYpSEY |DIssEMBLES.

lnnu hskeun MS warn ia ~" 'S"Oi "HN
in the amiabls manner he could assume
40 well.
The baronet was just finishing his
breakfast, and his ward with the eager
appetite Of a healthy youngater, was at.
tacking his second egg. Lady Carsland
and her charming daughter were seated
also ct the breakfast table, and the talk
hitherto had been OF the ordinary kind
which takes place at the family meals.
al cannot say that ! have, Sir sgd
ney," Paul Meredith replied. ~ was
thinking of riding out, the morning is
such q fine ONE
''Then in that case you may as we'll
drive over with me TO Earlsiord, l
have a little business TO transact in the
town, but it will not detain me many
minutes. and ! shall be glad OF your
company"
"Aauy thanks. l shall be pleased to
accompany YOU" Paul answered, frank
ly. "At what time do you stRrt?'
'In half an hour"
II will be ready then"
For several days Salome's sweetheart
had intended 10 take his guardian into
his confidence, and tell him everything
as to how matters stood between him
self and the beautiful pit-brow girl.
But he had permitted day alter day
to glide away, and the words he wished
10 speak-the story Of love he desired
TO relate-were as yet unspoken. 1t
was 30 easy for him to resolve upon I'M
bosoming himself TO Sir Sydney, but it
was quite another matter when the mo-
ment for speaking out presented itself.
lie and the barouet met often in the
course Of zach day, and the Young man
had trembled on the point Of deliver.
aRce any number oil times. He wanted
to take tho plunge-wished to say, Sir
Sydney, you may think me foolish,
mad even, but | love one OF your work.
girls, and have resolved to marry her"
yet 10 lar had lacked the courage. TO
take the dive.
But the moment had come when he
felt that he could speak, and lie vowed
10 take the bull by the horns during
the drive TO Eurlsforj that morning.
Half an hour or 80 after the baronet
had extended his invitation to his ward
they we're bowling along the high road
in a dog.cart at the heels Of q powerful
roam. The morning was clear and
slightly frosty; Il red sun hung low in
southeast; under the hedges aud in
shady spots there wero patches OF rime.
The elder man was driving, and the
Younger one was wondering how he
should lead up to the subject with
which his mind was filled, when Sir
Sydney remarked:
~ suppose. my dear Paul, that you
have no fault 10 find with me as u
%guardianP"
Paul thought it a singular question
TO ask at that moment, but he answered
quietly as he took his cigar from his
mouth:
Certainly not, Sir Sydney"
II have always striven to do my duty
towards you as ii you were my own son?
"You have; and hope | have done
nothing-absolutely nothing TO lead
you to to think | was, or am, dissatis-
fed with your guardianship, Sir sgd
ney?",.
"Nothing. l hope therefore you will
pardon me If / venture to speak to you
respecting a matter which has come to
fWhat is it?"
~ may speak then without giving
you otTence2"
"Of course you may"
"Tell me then what truth there is or
is not in this story | have heard about
you flirting with some pit-brow girl. 1
am q much older man than you-have
seen not a little Of the world, and
know, therefore, how easy II is for a
generous, pleasure.loving young fellow
like yourself to get ertanEled with a
pretty girl. should never forgive my
self, Meredith, II you were to"
"Wnit q moment, Sir sydney" Paul
burst forth, "and I'll tell you all about
it I've been wanting to talk to you
about it eyer so long. and / am glad
very glad you have Introduced the sub.
ject now"
The baronet drew his horse into a
quiet trot and waited.
Gathering breath, Paul spoke. He
told his. companion everything. First
he drew a vivid picture OF his first meet.
ing with the pit.brow girl in Gale Wood,
dwelling upon the lassie's rare beauty,
and mentioning what took place during
their conversation. Passing on, he
spoke OF the impression she had made
upon him, how he had sought her out
afterwards, when his fancy Ind quickly
developed into love OF the strongest and
most impassioned kinds. He laid his
own feelings OF the timebare, pointed
out how he had struggled against the
affection he could not conquer, and
finally avowed that he was engaged tc
the lass and meant to marry.
~ never dreamt that things had gone
no far as this" tho baronet remarked
gravely, when his wards hasty and elo'
quent recital terminated.
"You blame me, Of COURSE
"While / cannot honestly blame you
who could blame you for being sc
open and 80 honorable2 -t must, II am
to be candid with you, Paul, say thal
you have done q most imprudent thing
Eyes, looking at the matter from you
point Of view. But 1t 10 only 80 because
ahe 10 poor, ! suppoBe2 What does hei
poverty count for2 am rich enough
for us both. And, Sir Sidney, she Il
very beautiful and / love her so much
'But what will all tho world-youi
world and mine-think2 To marry
such a girl 10 to commit suicide, socially
speaking"
"Not at all--and II II were 1 would dc
I'll" Paul replied firmly, "But II YOU
could only 500 Miss Barringham you
would believe as l do that abe Ia the
sweetest and dearest girl alive. DO
Hides, We don't moan 10 marry for evel
so long yet. wanted her TO marry me
right away, but she wouldn't, and w
have agreed to walt three years"
"That, at nil events, 10 a sensible mr..