The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-18

whenever you cared to avail yourself OF
her kind offer"
THAT is SO, but / have sometimes
wondered il her invitation was in reali-
ty so very kind ms it appeared" salome
rejoined, seriously.
"Hold, enough Be off, and enjoy
your walk, | won argue the point FUR
lheri but bo sure you call Tor the
books"
~ will not forget" was the girls re-
ply, as she walked away, with the quick,
easy step and grace OF some unIamed
animal.
1t was a lno afternoon. There was a
glimmer OF sunshine IN the air, al
though the wind bit keenly at the girls
cheeks, and the landscape was white
everywhere with the touch Of Jack
Frost's fingers,
On gaining the high road, salome
went through the village in the direc-
ton OF Marsh Green till she came to a
stile, and then she struck through the
rlme covered fields, and was among the
black denuded trees. During her walk
she met occasionally a begrlmed pitman
coming from one or other OF the Cars
land collieries, and as she was known to
many OF the miners she was greeted by
most OF those whom she met with a
"Good afternoon, lass voiced roughly,
but most respectfully, and the girl was
careful to respond as heartily,
IL was not without some feelings OF
uneasiness that Salome went through
tho great gates and along the venue to-
wards the mansion. She had often
looked upon Carsland Hall at times
when she never dreamed that she would
aver become either friend or acquain-
| tsnce OF its inmates, much less the be-
trothed OF Sir sydney Carsland's ward,
and in consequence her lace was grave
with thought when she assembled the
broad steps OF the stately house and
timidly rang the bell.
Salome told the servant that she
wished to sec Lady Carsland. She was
asked for her name, and after giving it
was shown into a waiting room. A lew
moments later her ladXship came sail
ing into the apartment, her handsome
countenance beaming with smiles, and
her whole bearing bespeaking the most
frank and generous pleasure,
W INV " uGllElllul EuIDAAbG kIlld Ia
Miss BarringhamW she cried warmly,
az he held out her white hand ana
clasped Salome's hesitating fingers II
thought | must have offended you in
some way, aud that you did not mean
to accept my invitation. How are YOU,
and how are your friends the Mallisons.
we'll, | hope, Miss Birmingham ?"
"Quite well, thank you, Lady Cars
land" Salome answered, keeping her
seIf-possession more easily than she
had anticipated, 81 was asked by Miss
Madison to call upon YOU with reference
to some books-novels she said, | think
which you we're kind enough to
I promise to let her hRye?"
"Oh, yes, / recollectnow. How stupid
ofmo to forget the matter. lam honest.
" sorry for my negligence, and hope
YOU will convey my regrets to Miss NAL
iison,"
"With pleasure, Lady Carsland. Miss
Madison was sure that it had escaped
your memory" y
ut had quite. l will send the books
on to the vicarago at once with d serv-
ant. The least ] can do is to repair my
oversight Immediately" She rose to
ring tho bell, but her visitor arrested
her hand by remarking,
"If you do not mind, Lady Carsland,
willtake the books.n
ooh, no, l cannot permit you 10 ia.
tigue yourself in that way. I will send
tho footman with them. Do you mind
coming to nv room for a few moments,
Miss Birmingham? l am quite alone
this afternoon. rs Sir SYDNEY and Cor.
della are out driving"
Salomo nodded her dark head, and
her ladyship led the girl up the broad
| imposing staircase and along n corridor
to n daintily furnished little sitting
room. First pulling the silken bell cord,
| LADY Carsland motioned her visitor TO
n low easy chair. richly upholstered in
! tho palest pink satin. and Aunr her
graceful figure dangerously into an.
Other chair ON tho other side OF the fire.
place. wherein a bright fire was burn.
Ing, filling the room with a comfortable
warmth,
"GNther I'm those volumes. Cnllan,"
| LADY Carsland said to her maid. indi-
eating AS she smoke with n sweep OF her
hand some volumes scattered ON her
DRESSING table, sand tell James TO take
| them Immediately to Miss Madison at
the Vicarare,n
The maid gathered tile volumes to-
pether with n whispered ayes, your
Iadyship.D and whom she had gone
away Lady Carsland added.
"GnI now, nv dear Miss Barring.
ham. will YOU permit me to offer YOU a
little r~ofreshment. You must be
fativued with your long walk. Do not
refuse. i beg. At least YOU will ioin me
in taking a drop Of wine and a biscuit"
Salome was fain to accede to her
hostess's pressing offers Of hospitality,