Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-02-19


hardened old woman"
Like most clergymen, the rector cher
ished a secret idea that his sermons, II
ever printed, would make his name
household word on every hearth. de
began to find Sylvia Lennox an agreea-
BILE, appreciatiye young woman. As he
looked down at her, Sylvia thought he
resembled horse more than ever.
ut is always pleasant when one
comes TO d strange parish to find that
one begins to win the hearts OF
thepeople so soon," he said, moving
his head a little from side to side as
though he were suffering from a stiff
neck; "but I had no idea that such a
rich raward was in store for me. The
woman Barker must have mind OF
more than average intelligence"
81 have always thought her incorrl-
gi6le before" murmured Sylvia, "but
now I have seen her touched by the
beautiful simplicity Of your words,
shall take fresh heart again"
Let me get you some more tea, Miss
Lennox," said the rector quite warmly.
And he started on his journey to the tea
table, walking delicately, like Agag OF
renowned memory.
~ hope you will let me be OF what
use can in the parish, Mr.. Dyson"
said Sylvia sweetly, as he came stalking
back again; "but my father" with
little sigh, 'does not approve OF my
visiting much among the poor"
Her object in this speech was two
fold. She wished TO pose as a woman
hO har fa huf q
pauper sick beds if only harsh parent
permitted 1t, and she also wished TO in
innate TO Mr.. Dyson that he need not
expect to find her too often in the
haunts Of misery. The wishes of the
woman must, alas, sometimes give way
TO the obedience Of the daughter!
Nothing could exceed the lean rec
tors admiration of this mute heroism
and self-abnegation on Sylvla's part.
He began to think he had found kin
dred soul at last. The Carleton people
had not hitherto shown much enthusi-
aSm either for his sermons or himself.
Il quite understand" he said sympa-
theticalIy. sometimes ones duty
points TO what seems TO be almost the
wr0ng path, does II not? But | am
sure" said the rector, with a pulpit-like
air, you will reap rich reward in the
days TO come"
81 hope So" murmured Sylvia, with
downcast eyes.
The reward she meant to reap was
rich in worldly goods at any rate. But
she began to wish that its hair was not
quite so thin and quite so sandy,
II have been over the parish very
thoroughly" began the Rev. Mr.. Dy-
son again, happily unconscious OF Syl-
Was almost profane thoughts, land l
find there is much to be done TO ease
the suffering poor. Er-do you take an
interest in drainage, Miss Lennox?"
Sylvia shook her head in melan
choly manner.
II am afraid in my visits to these poor
people" she said gently. that know
more about non-dranage than anything.
1t is really terrible to think how the
carelessnesS of a landlord may be the
source Of bringing disease and death to
hundreds OF innocent peoplew
Exactly so. You put the case very
forciOly. 1t is my pet scheme at
present to get this parish properly
drained.
Sylvia rose TO go with suggestion of
regret in her manner.
1T is fascinating subject" she
said with sigh, bat l am afraid l
dare not stay any longer. Papa does
not care to find me out when he comes
home"
She looked dutiful and submissive,
and the rector thought her
very charming woman. He would
have liked TO offer to escort her
on her h0meward way only her
last words had a sort Of frmness about
them that seemed to preclude the idea
of such delightful possibility.
$50 he didn't come home with US,
after all, Sylvia" said Rachel, as they
walked away together.
because I didn't choose that he
should. my dear" remarked Sylvia,
with her head rather high in the air.
He would have been only too delight
ed to have done so. He will be even
easier to manage than l thought. 1t is
really quite Il pity, ard gives no zest to
the pursuit"
Don't be TOO sure. Sylvia. He looks
sly"
$50 he is, and forty other unpleasant
things into the bargain. He is weak,
and obstinate, and egregiously con-
ceited. Oh, my poor JIM added Syl
via, her eyes uyraised in self pity:
chow little did you think what sort OF
man your successor would 0e!'
Rachel looked at her curiously.
II never knew any one quite like you
before" she remarked. How can you
marry a man you dislike and despise?"
Because the pill is gllded. dear, and
because papa is going to marry again.
Five years ago, my child, instead of
pandering TO his tastes by talking about
sermons. and clio hes, and drainage"
said 5, lvia, II should have treated him
as the dust beneath my feet. l can't
marry the man | want and | can't afford
to wait VOLTA tout. l have grown
wiser you see"
"And happier?"
my dear Rachel, I was never In
cllned to be tragic. am always happy
sometimes more, but generally less
so. | small make the creature model
wife-his Christian name is Peter, by
the way. shall organize charity con-
certs and give parochial dinners and be-
have we'll, and, in short, act as we'll
dressed nineteenth century Christian
should"
And how shall you feel when you
come across Jim Leslie?" asked Rachel
Desmond.
Sylvia poked her umbrella into the
ground several times refectively before
she replied.
II am not romantic" she said, at
last. II shall neither faint nor scream
when I see him; shall greet him with
a hollow society smile, all the while
pressing my hand to the aching void