Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-07-30

not believe them. They are what are
Utmost in me, yet laugh them to
scorn. ! know that no change VIII
come, no kindling, no enlargement, and
nevertheless all that preserves me from
total spiritual death is the secret assur-
ance that the impossible will occur.
Well, II 1 prove great in no other way,
l shall prove myself the greatest OF
fools. But at least will keep my folly
to myself. l may whisper it to my
queen cobra-my Saprani-perhaps, for
she will not reveal it, but unless 1t go
far indeed it shall go no farther.
CHAPTER II.
have inexcusably neglected Saprini
the last ten days, but she seems 10
| flourish Notwithstanding, and has es-
tablished comfortable basis OF inter
course with the rattlesnakes. She is
really a magnificent creature, black as
let, nearly six feet long, with a row OF
golden spots down each glistening side
-"patines of bright gold" ! call them.
She is beginning to recognize me, L
think, and when L approach her with
saucer OF milk she sometimes rears up
her head aud expands that curious mem
brane at the sides Of the neck. 1t has
two black circles marked on IL. She
seems to expand the membrane under a
Measurable influence as well as under
an angry one. Last night, before going
to bed, tried the effect OF the toumrll
upon her. 1t makes soft and soothing
sound-much more so than the ordinary
flute. Saprini seemed to notice IL at
once, though the glass front OF the cage
interviewed. She came out from beneath
her blanket and reared slowly up, sway
ing little from side to side. Ihave no
doubt that / shall be able to perform ell
the feats OF the Hindoo charmers with a
little practice. Hereafter | shall have
nv queen OF cobras out Of her cage on
the floor 1 wonder what Sinfre will
say to herl
1t is more than week, by the way,
since Sinfire arrived here. 80 little &C.
ours In our monotonous round OF life
that this event deserves to be recorded.
am perhaps the least inhospitabIe
member OF our household, but even l
had l been asked ten days ago whether
it were possible for us to receive a stran-
ger into the family, and OF all stran-
gers young lady, should have an
swered mo" with promptness and
decision. Mother is indeed woman
of the world and profoundly
versed in all social etiquette
aud behavior, but society" hos
pitality and cordiality are one
thing and the perennial kindliness that
makes guest feel wholly aud perma-
nently at home is quite another thing.
Now, mother has many virtues. She Is
aristocrat.c, dignified, courteous, elegant,
high tempered, headStrong and keenwit-
ted. Nay, she has strong affections, too,
in q way Of her own, but fancy her
most partial admirers foremost among
whom is her youngest son would hardly
characterize her as q warm hearted
woman.
The perfection Of her manners in
stead of putting people at their ease, as
perfect manners are said TO do, makes
them sensible OF their own comparative
boorishness. The faultless taste Of her
attire causes the best dressed woman to
seem dowdy. This is no fault OF my
mothers. 1t is simply matter Of
temperament-of the "sphere," as the
mystic social philosophers would term
It. There Is something about her that
prevents her from uniting with others.
She has made this same criti-
cism on me, and possibly with
Justice, though think that in my case
it is rather acquired than innate. Well,
this unassailable mother OF mine has en-
countered the exception that proves her
rule. She has met person who has elic-
tied her cordiality. And avery genuine,
downright kind OF cordially il turns out
to be, none the worse for having lain so
long in the secret chamber Of her heart,
Yet l should never have imagined that
Sinfire was the enchantress who would
have the key to that door. There is, for
all any one can see, absolutely no COM
munity of feeling or experience between
mother and her.
John being at any rate man Is q
less remar kable case, but even he out
strips anticipation. John has always
seemed TO me the ideal OF an English
country SQUIRE. He would be just the
man for master Of foX-hounds-a man
able ana willing to browbeat every body,
TO domineer and be choleric and yet to
command the hearty good will OF all,
owing to their recognition of his I'M
alterable honesty and childlike kind
ness OF heart. John did not learn
much at school, and he came to an I'M
timely end in college. but where 1
made one friend he made twenty, and
his truest friend was one TO whom, at the
outset OF their acquaintance, he admin
istered the terrible thrashing. John
loves eating and drinking as much as
any man, but he would starve himself
for q week rather than dock his mare
of a peck Of oats or his dog OF a bis
cult.
John has absurd, undemoratic theo-
ries, and fancles himself the superior
of everY one he meets because he is the
heir of the Mainwarings, but there is
one person before whom ne humbles
himself, and that is the English groom
in his stables. John would face dozen
footpads with a heart Of trust aud
would probably get the best Of them,
but In the presence OF pettlcoat ian
embroidered one at least) his big voice
sinks TO q Quaver and a rumble, and
his naughty glance qualls and falls.
In view OF this latter fact it would not
have been surprising If Sinfse (who
does wear an embroidered one)n put
him to flight, but her distinction con-
sisted in having inspired him with 8
new spirit, In virtue Of which be is
rapidly emerging from barbarlsm into
civilization.
Instead Of talking with hostler and
roaring out an oath when his humor is
crossed be attempts polite CONVEX
sstion (GOd bless hlml) and courteous
irony; instead OF drinking himself
crimson after dinner be limits himself