Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-03-19
'HAT Girl IN BLACK.
BY MRS. MOLESWORTH.

illness still, some chiNalry even, YET
struggling spasmOdically 20 make Itself
felt, and-what was practically, per-
haps, OF more account as preSerVatlVe
some small amount Of originally In his
character. He has still good deal TO
learn, and something, too, 20 unlearn
before be could take rank as postmaster
IN the stupid worldliness OF his class
and time. For he was neither so olaSe
nor so cynical as he hattered himself,
but young enough TO affect being both
20 the extent Of believing his own auec-
tiOns real.
DE was popular; his position aud in
come we're fair enough 70 have secured
this 70 considerable extent In these,
socially Speaking, easy-going days
even had he been without the further
advantages of good looks and a certain
arrogance. not 20 say insOlence Of bear
ing, which, though nothing can be ac-
ouired with greater facility and at less
expenditure OF brain tissue, appears TO
be the one -tO-be-disputed hallmark
Of the period.
Why be went to Ms EngleWood's re-
ception that evening be could scarcely
have told, or perhaps he would have
vaguely shrunk from owning even 70
himself the real mOtiyeS-Of sincere
though feeble loyalty 70 old associations.
OF family stirring gratitude for much
kindness in the past-which had
prompted the effort. For Mrs. Engle-
wood was neither very rich nor
very beautiful, nor - worst OF
"nors'-very fashionable; scarcely, In
deed, to be reckoned as OF nOtre monde
in any very exclusive sense OF the words,
though kindly and fairly refined, ire
proachable as wife and mother, and so
satisfied with her lot as 70 be uninter-
eStingly free from social ambition.
But her house was commonplace, she
herself not specially amusing.
"If she'd be content to keep me there
when they're alone-I like talking 10
herself well enough" thought Despard,
as he dressed. In his heart, however,
he knew that would not do. he was
more or less Of lion from Mrs. Engle-
woods point of view; she was not above
q certain pride In knowing that for ''old
sake's sake" she could count upon him
for her one party OF the season. And
for this, as she retained a real affection
for the man she had known as that de-
Ightful thing-s bright, intelligent and
unspOllt boy, and as she thought OF him
still FAR more highly than he deserved
TO be thought Of, her conscience left her
unrebuked.
Year after year, il is true, her hus-
band wet-blanketed her innocent pleas
ure in seeing the young mans name on
her Invitation list.
That fellow In your place, my
dear Gertrude. and an expressive rails
ing Of the eyebrows said the rest.
"But, Harry" she would mildly ex-
postulate, you forget l knew him
when be was"
80 hiRh-at Whipmore. Oh, yes; I
know all about IT, Well, well, take
your way Of il; &c doesn't hurt me II you
invite people who don't want 70 come.
'But who always do come, you must
allow" she would reply triumphantly.
"And think themselves mighty con-
descending for doing So" Mr.. Engle-
wood put in.
''You don't do Despard justice, It's
always the way with men, l suppose"
Come now, don't be down upon me
about it," he would say gOOd-naturedly.
Il don't stop you asking him. at isn't
as il we mad daughters. In that case
-" but the rest was left 10 the mag
nation.
And this particular year Mrs. EnSle-
wood had smiled TO herself AZ this point
OF the discussion.
zone can make plans even though one
hasn't daughters, she reflected. III
Harry would let me ask him 20 dinner
now-but ] know there's no chance OF
that. And, after all, a good deal may
be done at an evening party. / should
like 20 do Despard a good turn and give
him a start before any other. If l could
give him hintl But then there's my
promise TO her father-and Despard is
sure TO De sensitive on those points. 1
might spoil 10 all. No; 1 shall appeal TO
his kind heartednesS; that is the best
How tender he used 20 be TO poor Lily
when she was tiny child! How be
used 70 mount her up on his shoulders
when she couldn't see the fireworks. /
will tell Maise the story. 1t is the sort
Of thing she will appreciate"
1t was a hot, close evening. Though
only May. there was thunder In the air,
people said pesDard's inward dissatis'
faction increased.
Upon ms soul it's too bad" he ejac-
u.ated while examining the flowers IN
his buttOnhOle. "Why, when ones
make up ones mlnd 20 be diSagreeable
thing should everything cOnspire 70
make il more Odi0us than il need be, l
wonder? have really-more than half
a mind-nOt To-"
Poor Gertrude Englewood, at that
moment smillngly receiving her guests!
She little knew how her great interest
IN the evening was trembling in the bal
ance.
1t was late when he arrived. Not that
he had especially intended this. he
cared too little about 10 70 have cOnsid-
cred whether he should De late or early,
and, as he SLOWLY made his way through
the crowd az thN1OOrway, he was con-
sciOaS OF but one wish-tO get himself
at once seen by his hostess, and then 20
make his escape as soon as possible. As
TO tue first part Of this little programme
there was no difficulty. Scarcely did
the first Syllabes of his name, "Mr.
Despard NorreyS," fall on the ear be-
fore Mrs. Englewood's OutStretched
hand was in his, her pleasant face Smil-
ing upon him, her pleasant voice bid
ding him welcome. Yes, there was
something difficult 70 resist about her;
Il was refreshing, somehow, and-there
lay the secret-it brought back other
days, when poor Jacks dig sister, Ger
trude, had welcomed the orphan school |
boy just as heartily, and when be had
glowed with pride and qualification az
her notice OF him.
Despatd's resigned, not to say sulky,