The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-07
XII.
WOO A0AIN,

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relish and much eagerness certain ru-
mora which had gained currency IN re-
spect to the pit-brow girl, salome Bar
bingham.
The White Gypsy had conveyed to
the kindly-souled and motherly dame
with whom she lodged the intelligence
that her lover was none other than the
ward OF Sir Sydney Carsland-Panl
Meredith, to-wit, and the old lady, de-
spite the fact that Salome had told her
the news OF her engagement in the most
solemn confidence, was quite unable TO
keep the astounding information to
herself.
Hence, ss the girl might have fore
seen, Mrs. Hill whispered the amazing
news to her next door neighbor-in con-
fdence, OF course-and in o couple OF
days every one OF the old women OF the
village knew ali about 1t. D.,
From the women 1t gradually spread
to the men; but while the former were
inclined to believe the story OF the pit
/ brow girls engagement to the young
gentleman, their male relations simply
secuted the rnmor. To the h%ard.handed
pitmen and their grown'up ions 1t
| seemed not only highly improbable,
but utterly impossible that a gentleman
OF the social standing and prospective
wealth OF the baronet's ward would ever
dream Of taking his vile from the brow
OF a coal pit,
Paul Meredith was simply playing
with the lass, they said; was making q
fool OF Salome, and they averred with
numerous oaths and hard words that
she was a fool or something worse to
bother with him and think he meant to
marry her.
Among the last TO hear the current
rumor was the young miner, Hugh
Eastwood. lie first heard OF it down
below, where some OF his workmates
we're discussing the matter. Hugh
listened, but said nothing. Still he was
certain, as all the others were, that
salome Birmingham and Paul Meredith
would never be mated.
That very evening, as Hugh was
crossing the village green. opposite the
White Crow, he met Salome. 1t was
about seven o'clock, and the night had
fallen. But for the bright glare Of the
lamp in front OF the inn he would have
passed her by uunoticed. He came
suddenly to a standstill and she stopped
also.
'Good night, salome," be said, drop
ping the vernacular and speaking in a
quiet, respectful way that wal new to
him. "a nice night, isn't itY"
at Is, Hugh, but a bit frosty" the
girl replied, Immediately.
II didn't seeyou on the pit brow this
afternoon when l came up the pit"
"0h, no; l wasn't working"
Poorly, l daresay!"
mo, II wasn't that, Hugh" she said,
in a half hesitant manner.
"You are not offended with me for
speaking to you that night, SalomeT"
he queried.
"Not at ALL" she answered frankly.
"Not for stopping you now and put
ting questions to you?"
"Why should IbeH Besides, Hugh,
l always was very fond OF youth a
friendly way. l think you saw that
from the very frat"
az did, but / used to think it might
lead to our being more than friends
some day-but." he added quickly,
that's done with. Do you know, Sa-
lone. what folks are saying in tho vii
iageP"
WAbout me?"
"You and Mr.. Meredith"
"What are they saying2 Are they
talking because l have left the pit
SYou have left it, theu2 why? Are
you going away" he asked, eagerly,
"No-but because. Well, the fact is,
Hugh, / fought not to tell you. 1t is a
secret yet. But you will know soon"
81 know now-all the village ia aware
of it. You are engaged to Sir Sydney
Carsland's ward"
"Who told your he stRmmered.
at ia in everybody's mouth. But is
it true? Do you yourself believe Paul
Meredith when he says that he means
to marry your" he demanded impa-
tiently.
II know it is true-I do believe iti''
was salome's firm response. In a short
time our engagement will be made
known"
$50 he has made you believe. But he
cannot mean it. A gentleman like this
Paul Meredith, who is well connected
and worth his thousands q year, will
never atoop to marry a poor working
girl like you, salome. He has promised
YOU marriage l am ready to believe, but
will he ever fulall his promise2 Think
not. believe he is fooling you, and il
he Is it will prove a bad days word fol
him?' he said, between his teeth.
"You are wrong, Hugh" she said,
gently, Din thinking Paul could be
capable Of such dishonesty. il you
knew him as we'll as l do you would be-
lieve him also"
"But it seems impossible to me thai
such as no should caro- for your he an.
swered, doggedly. ~ may DO wrong.
but | will not change my opinions until
am certain that this man means Ia
deal fairly with you
He spoke warmly, hotly even, and his
warm words embarrassed her not
little. But knowing that the young pit
man loved her, aud that he had her
welfare at heart, she could not bring
herself to utter any harsh words Il
him, although he doubted the honesty
and sincerity OF tho n she loved,
"Good night" she said, turning
away. "some day YOU will find out
that Paul Meredith is moro honest Rnt
worthy than you think he IT,"
"0no moment, Salome," he said,
lowly.
"WhA lie It, IIugh2"
40 you love this man because no Il
a iue OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES he Ia well
dressed, swoet.tonguod, nice.mannored,
and rich and dislike ne because | an
rough, u~nreaned, aud only q commor
working pltmanP"
"You mood not ask" she said, with