The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-16
ON WHEELS on FIRE.
BY FITZGERALD AOLLOY,
Author of SHOW Game He DsAdP"
"An Excollent Kuave," "sweet is
Revenge" "a Modern Magician"
"That Villain Romeo" 60.
CHAPTER xxxv.
REVELATIONS.

nf9t OF all on uLs EetuIh HVp4 eSSH15
Virgil Lechmere bear the news to Stella
that the marriage ceremony which she
had been assured was a mockery was In
every way legal; that she was not only
wife but a peersss Of the realm.
He knew her sufficiently well to feel
assured the latter item Of intelligence
would concern her but little in COM
parison with the former. What sur
prise 1t would be to hear, what q tri'
umph IL would be to know that she was
what she had once believed herself
Harry CrayforGs wife. Fersars pic
tured her Joy and satislactiou on learn.
ing what he had to narrate, the while
he battled brayely TO keep under his
own feelings of regret, and his own
sense of loss. HE love for her made
him desire her happiness even Of 1.-THE
coat Of his owp.
overlook him whilst iourneylng to Lon
donnie dreamt OF Stella, and always IN
the background stood the figure oil her
husband-mRliguant, treacherous ana
cruel. His sleep brought him little re-
freshment and no peace, and he prefer
red to remain awake. but his waking
hours also had their dreams. NO doubt
2 Stella, with her sweet and tolgtying
nature would pardon this man the pit
ter wrong he had done her, the grieVous
insult he had offered her, the crime he
sought 10 commit BY making another
woman his wife. And in course of time
she would give him again the affection
he had proved himself unworthy to
possess. For, he concluded, there was
nothing woman would not pardon in
the man she loves.
It was near I o'clock when hereached
the schoolmaster's cottage, with its
climbing plants aud its garden fragrant
and full Of color. Seen in the light OF
the waning sun the homestead looked
neaceful and calm, giving no indication
OF the storm and the stress through
which its inmates had passed within
the last few hours.
As he went quickly up the pathway
Stella and her father, who we're sitting
silently, thoughttully, and without ap;;
petite at their h1gh-tea, caught sight OF
him. The achoolmaster started, rosei
and went TO the door to receive him.
"You are welcome, Arthur. my boy,
you're welcome; come in, come IN.
somethingin Ferrars' radiant air and
in his mood of scarce repressed satistac-
ton was out OF keeping with the melan.
cholv and WEAKNESS expressed on the
faces OF those before him. Stella's hand
was hot and feverish, her pale, pathetic
face bore traces Of excitement, her eyes
had that look at once OF trust and shy
ness which they had expressed on the
day OF their unexpected encounter.
aSit down, sit down; We were just
having our tea, said the schoolmaster.
Ferrars got himself o chair, and Stella
brought cup aud saucer to the table,
on which was q beefsteak pie, and q
rhubarb tart, whilst here and there
upon the snowy cloth stood little opal
hued vases, holding yellow roses that
scented the air. =,
3"Thanks, I'll have some tea, I'm
thirsty" Ferrars said.
"And little OF this" Jacob suggest:
ed, touching the crisp, brown crust OF
the pie WITH the carving knife.
eyes. / beIisye Pm also hungry"
Hehad snatched but hurried meal
in London and now became conscious
of craving for food which be immedi-
ately strove to satisfy. Stella and her
father ate little aud appeared abaent-
minded; the former on recalling her at
tention to her guest invariably fixed a
look OF anxious inquiry on his face.
She expected and knew he had some
thing to communicate.
"You have seen Virgil Lechmere%
she said at last, in a low voice, as she,
bent towards him.
eyes. How did you know"
"AIiss Gubbs told me"
"Of course. hadn't time to let you
know was going, or the object OF my
tourney. I've something strange to tell
you, something that will surprise you
"We know, we know" she answered,
hurriedly and conlusedly.
"What2"
"Who he is-the scoundrel that de-
ceiyed her" Jacob replied.
"He Is Lord Redtrlars."
Eyes, yes"
Ferrars looked at them in surprise.
"How long have you known this ?he
enquired, a little coclly, wondering
they had kept this information from
"only few hours; had been aware
Of II before, / should have told your,
Stella remarked.
ssWhat else do you knowT
Nothing more" Jacob said in
melancholy voice.
HBut how did you come to hear thism
Tho schoolmaster told him what had
taken place that afternoon at the Manor,
becoming greatly disturbed as he re.
counted the scene.
"Then you have learned but half the
truth; something more important re-.
mains behind" FeFFars remarked,
Scoaceruipg meH" asked Stella, in a
trembling voice.
Conserving you. Be prepared to
hearsomething strange"
She lay back in her chair with an air
OF fatigue, her face grew paler than be-
fore. What disastrous news was che to
"What sisT the scboOlmaster asked,
eagerly. -. ,.,.. 49,.
man said was Q mockery was In reality
perfectly legal rite. Stella is his wife. !"
Profound silence followed; both hear
ers stared OF the speaker questtontngly,
amasedly, hxedly.
Yes; you are his vile"
UAre Won Bufa% the schoolmaster