Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-21
Ceptrigat, 1894, 81 T. c. Davidson.
[CoNTSUED.]
CHAPTER XXXII.
1TAsTrE or TBE SITUATION.

MASTER OF TIE SITUATION.
The evil than we do lies plain before
our eyes; the good is hard TO see. Had
it been otherwise my punishment would
have been less heavy than il was. For
/ was ceaselesslJ engaged ia trying 10
be Of service to those who suffered for
my crime, but whether or not my eff
forts were successful could never be
told with certainty.
There were, however, some things to
encourage hope, and TO stimulate to
fresh eXertiOn. Let me mention two or
three.
Ii was my earnest wish that Hattie
should know OF her young lovers safety
when all others thought him dead. She
had come 20 know Of it. or rather 10
believe 10 10, and though she attributed
her belief solely TO the old weaver's
vision, would rather think she was
mistaken.
1t was also my wish thar my father
should leave mis- property 10 the Nanes.
This be had expressed his intention or
doing. No doubt the manner was en-
tlrely his own, but the fact remained.
To give one more Instance, il was my
wish that George VaRe, being AZ CronS-
wash, should not leave until his inno-
ceDce had been established. he was
there still. he had admitted 70 Grove
that something, he know not what ex-
actly, impelled him to stay, although
his own iuclinatiOns urged him towards
that Canadian home which he had de-
picted.
Now I ask, we're these merely coinci-
dences? They may have been, but l
tried 10 find some little pleasure in be-
lieVing that they were not. Yet, after
all, what did that pleasure amount to?
Hattie, partly In consequence OF her
belief In Georges safety, had become
engaged TO the man whom she most
feared, Tom Willmott; my father
had so left his property to the Vsnes
that the marriage OF Rachel 70 a shock
ing scOundrel seemed imminent; and
George had remained at CrOnkvSsh
only 70 help that sCOundrel 20 the at
tainment Of his own selfish ends. In
word, everything had gone wrong, and
Grove was master Of the situation.
Not much pleasure here, was there?
/ followed events with the most pain
ful excitement, though for Rachel,
Hattie and George could not see much
hope. Grove knew that he had the
game 10 his own hands II only be could
make his moves quickly enough. IL
was merely question of time Rachel,
assured Of her brothers safety, was
prepared TO sacrifice herself for the
maintenance OF her parents; II was from
them that be was most likely 10 meet
with opposition or excuses for delay.
ha "a
after he had communicated 20 them his
startling news.
Mr.. Vane, when the visitor was an
nOURced, was trying 70 make few Gin
dsrs burn In the CRATE; the old lady,
looking very ill and feeble, was propped
up on the sofa. The evidences Of their
extreme poverty were on every side
Grove could not fail 20 see them, but be
had no intention OF parting With the
strongest weapon be possessed, and, In
spite Of his promise to George, not one
farthing would come from him until he
had gained his object. At the same
time, aware OF the wisdom OF not com
ing empty-haudsd, he had brought some
hot-hOuse flowers, which he gracefully
presented 70 Mrs. Vane, who had 70
thank him for them, although, poor old
soul, her thoughts dwelt far more on
their price than their beauty.
With this preliminary flourish, Grove
told them OF his great love for Rachel.
He tried 10 work upon their pity, and
yet cOntrived 10 show them the enOr-
nous advantages Of such marriage 70
them. For would not their daughter
be provided with a devoted husband and
every comfort, while they themselves
would assuredly not be forgotten?
IL thiak it only respectful TO you,
said this ScandalOUS fellow, 10 come 20
you first, but l have reason 20 believe
that Rachel is not averse to my suit. II
you would be Kind enough 10 express a
wish 20 her, I am sure she would not
hesitate moment"
at is her wish, not OIrs, that we
have to consider" said Mr.. Nane, with
q glance at his wife.
81 understand that perfectly said
Grove. "But think / know what her
wish is; she has some ljttls regard for
ne, / believe what I want you 20 be
good enough 90 do is 90 press the mar
rage on. II we have made uD our
minds, why should there be any delay?
I should like it 20 De Immediately. 1t
Is there that you can help me If you
will"
But Mrs. Vane would not hear Of such
q thing. In the present dreadful uuCer-
talnty she could not part with her
daughter IL was almost impOS 20
get her even 10 discuss the subject. She
wanted 20 talk about Der son, TO hear
everything about him, how be had es-
capped from the sea, aud how be hoped
TO escape from his feilOWmen. Could
not she see him? she asked. And such
was her fear lest his peridy should Oe
EXPOSED, that Grove hastily took leave
OF her husband.
he had TO confess that he had not al
vanced his cause To- any way. He was
naturally much disappointed; be was
also very angry; be felt that these peO~
pie had been getting his hot house
flowers for nothing. BE had been fool
ishly extravaganza in BIS generosity, for
he had not retained one for his button
hole. Still, be had Oae strong move vet
10 make, and before the day was out be
meant 20 make IT, For that move, he
relied upon his mother.
On his way home he stopped at
Cronkvash. There. were 50 many things
that might 90 WRONG az any moment
that be was kept in perpetual alarm.
He had 70 be running here aud running
there in order 20 satisfy himself that no
lccidenthad occurred. Time was OF such
urgent consequence t3 MIN too. lie felt
,ure that. unless he could speedily effect
MS purpose, George and Ben would be
breaking loose, aud then il would be all
over with him. So ne hurried TO the