Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-07
CHAPTER xxx.
GROVE IN AN AWKWARD FIX.

Aunt Priscilla, marching ABOUT Jne
town under the escort of Matthew Cor
lett. was as busy as q Parliamentary
candidate whose election is near at
hand. She felt insprited with a noble
enthusiasm for her own family, for
every member OF it-for all humanity,
indeed, except only Alistair Grove and
the wretches who supported his preten-
sions. As to the entire justice OF her
cause, she had not the smallest doubt.
Poor Aunt Priscilla! 1t is so easy to be-
believe in the Justice OF ones
cause when the personal proht
is expected TO be great. Who not up
hold the interests of ones own family
for the sum Of, say, five tho usand
DoundsP And then Aunt Priscilla had
so many mouths to feed, so many cats
and canarIes; that always makes dill
ference in estimating the justice OF ones
cause These pets Of hers had some
subtle connection with the two sides OF
her character When she thought OF
nv father, and especially of my mother,
for whom she had had strong affection
she tended her canaries; when she
thought of Alistair Grove she called
her cats around her. There was no non
sense about this elderly maiden aunt OF
mine. You could always tell her mood
by her companions.
In the course of her progress through
the town she and her escort had TO cross
the little swing bridge which spanned
the entrance TO the harbor. As they
approached, who should be coming Ia
the opposite direction but AiStsir
Grove. Aunt Priscilla did not happen
TO see him until Matthew, most anxious
to avoid a meeting at such close quar-
ters. gave her nudge. He would
gladly have turned aud gone some 9TH
or way, but she thought differently.
Her long, sharp nose went up in the air,
she fixed her eyes upon the sky as
though anything lower was beneath her
notice, and so she marched forward,
almost brushing against Groves as she
passed him on the narrow bridge.
My goodness" gaSped Matthew, VI
thought you would have gone back"
"Gone backm exclaimed Aunt Pris-
ella, with fine scorn. She had no very
high opinion of Matthew, but found
him useful as target for her shafts
when she felt impelled to fire away at
somebody. "Gone back from that crea-
ture! Did you expect me TO run away?'
"Well, not exactly run, you know,
stammered Matthew.
Il believe you think I am frightened
of him." said Aunt Priscilla, indignant
ly. isn't IL a guilty conscience that
makes towards of people? Frightened
of the usurger, indeed! II is he who
has reason to DO frightened OF me, and
l believe he is. Come, we will see. We
will 60 back"
In vain Matthew protested. Aunt
Priscilla turned and led him in pursuit
OF the enemy.
She was perfectly correct as to Groves
feelings concerning her. He regarded
her with absolute terror, and when he
looked over his shoulder and saw her
coming after him. he Aed precipitstely
along the way.
Aunt Priscilla did not consider him
worth turning aside for She sailed on
triumphantly through the town.
If Grove had had time TO look before
him, he certainly would not have gone
70 the quay. Before he could check
himself, no was within few yards Of
TWO persons whom he had not previous
" noticed. One was girl; the other
was an old lady who seemed TO have
great difficulty in standing, for the girl
was struggling TO support her. AL
though their faces were turned. the
other way, he recognized them at once
as Rachel and her mother. His hrSt
impulse was TO bolt back.
II is hard to speak calmly about
AliStar Grove. he was so eminently
respectable that public opinion was as
the breath of his Dostrils, and therein
Law the chief sting Of Aunt Priscilla'S
attitude towards him. Still, he did not
mind that so much, for the price was OF
sufficient value 10 compensate for the
injury TO his feelings, aud he looked
I forward to vindicate his conduct In
| omen court Gut IL be were 10 marry
/ Rachel. there would be no court for
| his vlndication; he would have opposed
| 20 him the whole weight OF public
opinion, which was dead against the
/ Vanes. The social Ostracism which
| had been melted out TO them for their
/ sins. would be extended TO him, aud
| that thought was uncomfortable. He
/ wanted Croukvash badly, and he meant
/ 70 have il, of course in some eminently
respectable way, though without the
| eucrmbrance OF a wife with whom no.
| BODY would associate. The vagueness
of the condition, as mentioned by my
father, held out some hope that this
might be managed.
So Grove, finding himself in the pres
! ence OF Rachel and her mother, first
thought Of running away. But when
he saw the difficulties the girl was In
some feeling of pity held him back. He
! had some sort OF shabby love for her
still, though il was not so strong as il
used 20 be when all spoke Of her. BE
| looked round TO make sure that nobody
was watching, and then advanced to
/ Rachel'S assistance.
as Mrs. Vane ill?' he asked. "Can
be of any use?"
"Oh, Mr.. Grove" exclaimed Rachel,
! turning with q start, II don't know
whst to do. Yes, mother Is i'll. She Is
so tired-so weak she can hardly stand
and l can't hold her much longer.
win YOU help me, please?"
But what do you mean to do?" ne
asked, getting bshind the poor old LADY
and sheepishly helping 10 support her.
THAT is just what l don't know, =
answered Rachel, helplesslY. q I q
can 1 do? HdweyeS1