Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-04-23

NlVldn4 sue Cflcu. Ou3 nm
she is to slngl She has such . beautiful
voice, and is such a charming woman,
| too; / was introduced to her q few weeks
ago. Now, you may expect a treat
| critical as you are"
sI suppose she will be very much K
other singers" murmured MaulreVer
lazily, "and l have heard so many"
And as he spoke he glanced at Cora's
face, thinking it looked somewhat more
delicate of late. She was dressed all In
soft creamy Indian silk, with trimmings
| OF lace, and at her throat nestled a pale
yellow rose. The sweeping feathers OF
her hat rested on the gold-brown hair,
and shaded her face a little as she
looked at her programme.
Bending thus, she did not see the wo-
man who swept across the platform and
stood facing the critical eyes Of the aris-
tocratic crowd. nor did she see the sud
den pallor which crept over Stuart
Maulrever's bronzed face, but she heard
his startled exclamation-looked up,
and saw, and understood.
Usually so calm and impassive, now
Stuart Maulrever literally trembled as
the sweet rich notes Of that voice rang
over the room, waking In him memories
so sweet and bitter, he could have
groaned aloud as he heard.
He sat on. forgetful Of his companion,
Of time, place, surroundings. The past
held him in a spell, and every note OF
the clear pathetic voice was like a throo
| OF pain In his breast.
There was intense silence throughout
the room. The song was simple enough.
| Perhaps that was n reason or Its
charm-that and the sweet, sad face OF
the singer in her simple white dress,
and a cluster Of white flowers In her
hands.
Never during that song had Stuart
Maulrever looked at the singer-never
had Cora Tressillian looked at him. But
she was conscious to her very hearts
core that he was suffering; that this wo-
man held it in her power TO move and
touch him as never she had done or
could do.
A strange, cold, blank feeling crept
wei her-a sense Of shame, OF pity, OF
sorrow new to her young, bright life,
and from which she shrank, as all young
and happy things shrink, in terror and
in pain.
A sense Of passionate resentment
stole over her as the song concluded and
the singer left the platform, only to be
recalled again and again.
What was this woman to himP She
was not very beautiful, nor very young,
and yet--and yet--he suffered for her
sake. She knew that as she glanced
now at the pallor OF his face.
What q light Of anguish burned In
the dark eyes that gazed after the re-
treating fgure!'
The concert went on. When the first
part was over there was a movement
among the audience. A quarter OF an
hours interval for gossip or refresh
ment. Some strolled into the tea room,
some remained in their seats.
Cora touched Col. Maulrever's arm.
Take me into the conservatory over
there" she said. THE heat is suffocat-
ing"
There she seated herself on a low
chair and glanced up at her companion.
Il want to ask you q question:" she
said quietly. "You may believe me, it
is not only curiosity that prompts me.
You know Mrs. Vivian, do you not?"
Eyes. Or, rather, l know the woman
who calls herself So"
sit is not her real name? 1 thought
as much" said Cora.
She had grown very pale, and her
eyes had a panied and wistful ehtreaty
in them that startled him as he met
their gaze.
But his own heart was too troubled to
dwell on so vague a fancy.
I'll wish you would trust me enough
to tell me ALL" Cora said gently. 1--WE
are suck old friends; and 1t has needed
no words to tell me you are unhappy"
"Oh child-child!" he said. "Who is
there in all this earth who is not-that?
! an no worse off than my fellows, and
il l am, why should you care?
81 do care" she said quietly. 81 wish
to help you"
"No one can do that" he answered.
81 am not the first man who made a
mistake, and lives out his life regretting
it,"
She was silent for a long time, and
Maulrever forgot even her presence.
Her voice recalled him at last.
81 wish you would find the others and
ask them to come home. have a head
ache" she said. Il cannot stand any
more music to-day. You will come to-
night" she added, as he led her away
to the carriage.
Her voice vas almost ~entreating; but
she didn't look at him.
eff Jou--wish," he answered hesitat-
ingly.
Then she summoned up courage. Her
great soft eyes looked frankly back to
his own. But in them he could read
nothing.
81 do wish IT," she said very softly.
AS the words echoed in his ears, he
stood alone in the warm June sunlight.
x \
1t was past Q o'clock that evening
when Col. Maulrever found himself in
the drawing room Of the Tresillians'
house in Grosvenor Square. The blinds
had not been drawn, and a shaded lamp
that stood on a stand near one OF the
windows was its only light. He found
Cora there alone. He could not help
seeing how white her face was, but he
put that down to the headache Of the
afternoon.
"You see I have come" he said, smil-
ing, as he took her hand In his. But
1 thought l should find you arrayed for
the fray. Don't you go to Lady Ores
hams ball?"
No" she said, as she seated herself
again on the low chair by the window:
I don't feel inclined to 20 out tonight"
There was a pause. He was studying
the delicate face and marveling a little