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


preston of warmth and coziness and
daintiness. It's large bay window look
ed toward the west, so that il caught
the last rays Of the setting sun. There
were two or three cages OF oright-coi-
ored birds about, and there were always
plenty Of flowers. Sylvia had man
aged TO make everything look sunshlny
and homelike.
On this especial afternoon she had
never been more particular about the
appearances of the room in question.
The Lennoxes only kept maid OF all
work, so that Sylvia's deft fingers were
in daily requisition over the more deli
cate tasks Of the households; but there
was page boy, Respondent in rows OF
silver buttons, to open the door TO any
afternoon visitors. To this latter Syl-
via was giving her final instructions,
while she busted the mantelpiece and
arranged the flowers.
when Mr.. Dyson comes, Arthur,
You are to say that Col. Lennox Is not at
home, bnt that he is expected back
every minute"
Eyes, Miss"
be pleased to see him."
SIS the trap baited too openly| sue
thought to herself, with little smile
as she carefully put away particularly
frivolous novel, and replaced it with a
book OF more sober character. ION,
no, l think not. The Rev. Peter
must be forced little now"
For In the last few weeks, although
Sylvia had worked her hardest, and he
had shown himself duly appreciated
and agreeable, he had manifested no
symptoms of asking her to be Mrs.
Dyson. Had she only known 1t, u
might have comforted her TO learn
that his inclinations were tending very
much that way. The quiet, little gray
clad figure, the purely piQuant face
had come TO be part of his daily life
that he felt he could no longer do with
out. The big empty rectory felt lone
ly. 1t seemed to him that he had never
met woman who was so fit 10 be his
helpmeet as Sylvia LennOx. She was
so delicately sympathetic, so frankly
appreciative. She was such good
daughter and housekeeper-the Colonel
duly coached by Sylvia, had dinned the
latter fact into the Rev. Peters ears
every time be met him-that he felt he
codld not do better than ask her TO be
his wife. He placed her beauty last in
his catalogue Of her projections; but, In
reality, it was more potent motive
than any other. Had she been plain
and thirty instead OF pretty and thirty,
IL is TO be feared that he would hot nave
given a second thought TO any or her
more solid merits.
But Sylvia had every intention OF
bringing matters to a crisis. "MrS.
Leslie and jim, had arrived at the
Brett's, and she AND her father had
been hidden to dinner party to meet
them the very next night
When Miss Lennox, therefore, once
more net her quondam lover, she had
every intention of figuring as the future
bride of the Rev. Peter Dyson.
For by mutual arrangement, In order
not to disturb the solemn business OF
this afternoon, Col. LennOx was to tel
egraph to Sylvia that unavoidable busi-
ness detained him in town until q
o'clock.
MIR. Dyson had been asked TO spend
the afternoon and evening there, and
had accepted the invitation with I'M
wonted alacrty. more especially as his
own particular friends, the Hazelfords,
had been asked to grace the latter les
tival with their presence.
Sylvia now subsidized into chair, and
drew large work-bGsket toward her
one OF those real useful matter-of-fact
affairs which are the delight OF busy
housewives.
Just then the door-bell rang, and IN a
few minutes the well-tutored Arthur
solemnly ushered the Rev. Mr.. Dyson
into Sylvia's bower.
With pretty little cry Of confusion and
the sweetest, faintest blush, Sylvia hast
iiy crammed all her work into the huge
receptacle and came forward TO meet
him.
pray forgive me-" she said; 81 did
not expect you quite so soon, and you
have caught me at my work, which Is
of too useful kind to be legitimately
permitted in a drawing ROOM"
whenever l catch you, it is always
in the act Of doing good to some one"
said the gaunt rector, with his most be-
niCn smile. "You are the ministering
angel Of our parish, Miss LennOx. In
deed, | often think you confer far more
real benefits upon the people than do.
We could never get on without you"
Sylvia cast down her eyes and blush
cd again.
Dear Mr.. Dyson, 1t Is very good OF
yyn to speak so kindly of my poor little
efforts. 1t has always been the one
wish of my life TO alleviate as much
suffering as | can"
She wheeled forward coy armchair
as she spoke and motioned the rector
toward IL. He had chosen the only
straight high backed chair in the room,
possibly as a means OF notifying the
flesh; possibly, also, Sylva's profered
armchair was one OF her methods the
alienation of suffering. They were
playing a little comedy, these two-one
consciously and the other In the su-
premest innocence.
"Piease sit there" said Sylvia, gent
", 1.-THE other chair is so dreadfully un-
comfortable and yon look so tired. l
will stir the fire. for am sure you have
been on some long, cold tramp or other,
and want 10 get warm.
The rector had come straight from
his own comfortable freside, and Syl-
via knew it. But 1t gave her a pretty
air of domesticated solicitude TO kneel
on the hearthrug and let the rudy fire.
light flicker on her bronze hair and
graceful figure.
"And now l will ring for tea" she
continued, rising, 'for / am SIRE papa
will be in soon. hope you don't think
him dreadfully rude for not being here
10 receive you, but he was called away
at lunch time on really important bust
ness. He promised 10 be back at 400"
she continued, RlancIng at the clock.
which poipted 10 4:l5: "but be will be