Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-02-19
a WOMAN OF THIRTY.
A MOST oHARMING STORY.


Sylvia" he said carelessly as be opened
the door for bis guest. II have some
thing to tell YOU"
Sylvia's heart sank. During the years
that she had managed her fathers
household, this formula was only too
weel known TO her. 1t meant that the
Colonel had been getting into DEBT
again.
II am only q burden to him." she
thought bitterly; "'it is indeed time !
found a home for myself elsewhere.
Perhaps my Jest 70 Rachel may come
true, and l shall really be obliged 10 set
my cap at the 'canting, dOgmaJical
prig' my father met this afternoon!
Faugh! wonder how it is that Provi-
denae allows US TO spoil our foolish little
lives SOP"
She stood at the window looking out
into tie dark. II was late October, and
the rustllng Of the dry leaves 1uttering
down from the lean trees and the wall
ing of the wind made her shudder.
~ wonder how much he owes, and
however we shall manage to pay ii" she
thought. I have cut down every en-
pense that I can, except my dress, and
he always insists upon me being de-
Gently clothed. I am one OF his many
speculatioas, and not the only one that
has turned out a complete failure"
She went to the piano and played
softly 10 herself till she heard her
fathers key in the door. Then she
sprang hastily up and lighted the gas.
The Colonel disliked a dismal room.
What have you been sitting all by
yourself in the dark for, Sylvia?' he
asked as he came In.
Il like it, papa, and would rather
play from memory"
lie fdgeted about for few moments
and then came nearer 70 her and placed
one of his ariStocratic white hands Gtfec-
tlonalely on her shoulder. He was al
ways atIectiOnate when he was about to
tell her something disagreeable. Sylvia
had had experience Of this fatherly de-
monstration before and shrank slightly
away from him.
''What is it, papa?" she asked coldly.
"You sad you had something to tell
me-"
Again the Colonel fdgeted and hesi-
tated until Sylvia's proud, gray eyes
grew ScOrnfui.
at is nothing at all unpleasant, my
dear-Quite the reverse, in fact"
Il am very glad to hear il, papa. We
seldom get good news nowadays"
AREN'T you very lonely sometimes
%Leu I am away all day, my dear?'
asked the Colonel, with some apparent
irreyclence.
"NOt at all. can always 60 aud see
Rachel II feeled bored.
"But Rachel does not live in the
house, and caDuot therefore be much of
companion To you. You must have
many lonesome moments, my love, when
you would be glad Of-er-cOmpauy?'
Sylyias eyes were terrified now in
stead of being scOrnful. What new folly
was her father about 10 commit?
~ often fear that l have been selfish
in leaving you so much alone, my poor
motnerleSs girl, said the Colonel; but
now / shall feel remorse no longer. Do
you understand me?' Then, as Sylvia's
face looked unreSpOnsiye, he added in
MicaWberlike burst OF confidence: "I-
erin short, / am going TO be married
again, my near Sylvia. l am going TO
give you another mother in the place of
the one you lost"
There was a dead silence in the room.
SyIvia'S eyes were regarding him with
an expression in their depths which he
had never seen there before. He began
hastily TO defend himself.
~ have been contemplating this step
for some time, my love; indeed, it is
principally on your account that /"
But here he paused, for Sylvia had
begun TO speak herself without taking
the smallest notice of anything he said.
"Haye l made your house so very un-
comfortable for you during all these
years, papa, that you must needs oand
set some strange woman over me At the
eleventh hOur?'
"Some strange wOmanl That is q
very odd way of speaking, my dear. /
can make allowances for your surprises,
of course, " said the Colonel, who was at
hear, little afraid OF his daughter,
"but remember that everything has its
limits. AS for making the house I'M
comfortable, l am sure you have always
tried TO do your duty, but you must for
give me for saying, Sylvia, that you are
no companion TO me. We have but lit
tie I'm common"
Every little" said Sylvia, bitterly.
81 am sorry you take what l meant
should be a pleasant piece Of news In
such ain such a spirit, in fact" said
the Colonel, unable TO find the adjective
he wanted In his furry, and therefore
leaving il out altogether. Anything
that adds to my happiness ought 10 add
TO yours
Sylvia was silent for minute. Then
she said In a harsh voice:
"How old is she?"
"Quite young said the Colonel, with
shipper; barely twenty, in fact. She
has means, he added, casting down his
eyes.
Never before had Sylvia Lennox de-
spiSed her father as she did now. And
she deSpised his future bride with al
most equal heartiness. What kind OF
girl could she be, who, possessing youth,
money, and beauty, could marry this
broken down Colonel, aged ffty-five,
with his padded military figure and OBJ
viouSly dyed mouStache?
II think it will be time for me TO be
looking out tor home for myself else
where, II you are thinking Of getting
married soon, papa" she said gravely.
Three people can seldom agree to-
ge,her.
"On, there is no hurry, my child"
said her father, transparency allowing
10 escape from him the fact that this ar
rangement would De by no means un-
welcome to him. Dear Edith was most
consiierate about IT, Indeed, as she is
SO young ana inexperienced, she limited
that she should be glad to learn from
you all about the housekeeping and my
little ways" said the Colonel, with an