Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-11
CHAPTER XXNIX.
FREE.


When some little portion OF his
strength had come back 10 the poor lad
trembling outside on the quay, he be-
gan TO wonder what could be the mean
ing of the dreadful sight which he had
seen through the window. He dared
not look again; he reproached himself
sor having looked at all, for although
his intention had been very different
he now felt as If he had been spying.
Some explanation there must be; but
for Hattie sake he would try TO con-
troll his burning impatience and not ask
for il yet, lest be should bring eOnfus-
ion upon her. So be dragged himself
away, with an almost intolerable pain
To his heart yet with steadfaSt faith
which flung of all doubts as soon as
they assaied him.
In the market place there were many
persons standing about In groups under
the gas lamps, and all were discussing
the great event OF the day. When they
recognized George, there was general
rush 10 congratulate him, for the tide
Of public sympathy was now as strongly
10 his favor as il had previously been
against him In the scramble to shake
hands with him, he had hard work 10
keep his feet. But his answers to all
we're short; the pleasure in their faces
had no reflection in his; when they
pressed him to go with them into the
Dragon, so that they might drink his
health, he vehementlv declared that he
would do nothing of the kind. He
hated the very sight OF the Dragon.
But seeing their disappointed looks
George explained more gently that he
was tired and out Of Sorts; he only want
ed 10 get home aud be at rest.
And now a girl came hurriedly into
the market place, and asked first one
and then the other If Mr.. George Vane
had been let out yet. He was pointed
out to her, and she struggled through
the crowd to him.
"Oh. Mr.. George" she said, miss
Priscilla says you're please TO come
back with me, for she wants particular
ly 10 see you"
This afforded him an excuse for an
immediate escape from his friends.
Aunt Priscilla was waiting at her
door for him, and when be arrived, she
took him by the hand and conducted |
him into her cosy little room. A cheer
full fire was burning in the CRATE; the
kettle, as usual, was singing on the |
hob: and a shaded lamp cast soft !
light upon the table covered with q
white cloth aud laid for |
q sort OF high tea. 1t was all very |
bright and very comfortable. But |
when Priscilla turned, and looking !
closely at George, saw his pinched |
face, and dull panied eyes, she said |
with a catch in her voice:
My poor boy, what you must have
suffered" After a pause she added:
They must have starved you TO death
in that horrible place. Here, sit down
quickly and help yourself, while l pour
YOU out some tea"
George pleaded that he could not eat.
"Stuff aud nonsensev said Aunt Pris-
ella. with decision. you must eat.
! shall not let you 60 until you do, so
the sooner you make up your mind TO it
the better. Begin with some OF that
chicken, and take some tongue with il.
1t is only sleeps tongue, am sorry to
say, but in these days we must take
what we can get. Cpme now, help
yourself unless you want me TO do it for
YOU. You don't think | am going TO let
YOU 90 home looking Ike a scarecrow.
at is very good Of you, Miss Pris-
ella, faltered George, making great
effort TO do as she wished,
After watching him for some time In
silence she asked; as il your mother
YOU are thinking Of? When you saw
her last, money was rather scarce In
the house, believe. II that is all, we
can soon remedy it. See, here is some-
thing for YOU II would never do to re-
turn empty handed. would tip"
In a daZed way he opened the bulky
envelope which she had pushed across
the table 10 him, and found it TO contain
ten notes of ten pounds each. But
when he tried TO speak, she again in
terposed.
mo, not a word" said she, shaking
her head at him. "GO on with your
supper That is quite enough for you
TO do at present. Besides, you have
nothing to. thank me for; it is not my
money; il is my brothers, Major Hey
woods There will be more to follow
of course. II he gives you all he has il
will be but poor recompense for what
you have suffered"
Still, the result evidently did not &C
cord with her expectations. Il had
failed TO bring TIE color into Georges
face, and though the panied look In his
eyes was not quite so marked, his spir-
its had not risen as she had anticipated.
After another pause she made a fresh
cast.
"Have you seen Hattie DukeP" she
asked sharply.
.No-yes. I mean" he stanmered.
AT least l only caught glimse Of
her"
.'Ah, now I see, said Aunt Priscilla.
"She was with Mr.. Wiumott, Isuppose.
would not bother my head about her
Il I were you, George She is MOI worth
Il. Hattie, AN afraid, is not a good
girl"
"But indeed she is good gill" cried
George las red now as be had b zen white
before In the whole worIdb there is
not a b Ter Rirl-us, not one. why do
YOU say such a thing. Miss Priscilla? l
wax Ike you, and do like kou, but
IL a word. against He q you
me an enemy. help
and I are one.
isnllia neadsd az -,
4