Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-07-29

lIIcrally true, Out III was tuo heei
approach to an untruth that the lao nad
ever uttered to his parents, aud ne leit
overwhelmed with shame. Their Klaa-
ness only added TO his discomfort. his
socks were damp. his mother insisted,
and she fetched dry pair. which ne
had to put on; bis father opened Dot
tie of cherry brandy, one OF two or
three brought as luxury from Cush-
labeg poured out glass, looked al IL
with tender pride, and handed 1t TO MS
son to drink; Rachel, while he sat DO
fore the fire, eXerted herfelf to the Ut.
most to amuse him. And this. thought
George, is the house have called mis-
cradle! And these ara the people /
have shunned, prefering even the COM
pany of Alistair Grove!
But next day, when all the pretty do.
nestle economies had to be praetised
again, tho grumbling and fretting re-
commenced. Then things looked DIFF
ferently. Depression makes itself more
keenly felt in the morning; Ii is only a
healthy yoang person without care IN
the world who can laugh heartily al
breakfast time. In that category none
OF the Vanes could be placed, and as
they sat around the meagre table there
was upon their faces settled gloom.
1t so happened that Mrs. Vane had
more complaint than usual to IND with
her husband. He bore ii all very meek
ly; If he answered her at all IL was only
to confess 10 some fault with which she
had charged him; but his patience only
irritated her the more.
At last George could endure II no
longer. He rose and went out, Wander
ing for some time about the country,
but eventually drawn towards the town
by his anxiety TO know whether any
thing had yet resulted from the affair
OF the previous night. But so far as he
could learn Killey had done nothing.
He had not taken out summons against
Ben Fayle; he had made no allusion to
the encounter; he seemed content to let
it drop. or else was biding his time.
But those who had witnessed the
scene were not likely to pass IL over In
silence. They spread abroad the story
how Joe Killey, on the track of the
blood money, had come sneaking up the
glen by night, and how Ben Fayle
had thrashed him handsomely. In con-
sequence Ben became quite hero, and
although George had played very In
significant part in the proceedings,
some share of the glory fell to him. He
had to describe the fight again and
again; In order TO do this better ne had
many invitations into the Dragon. But
he declined them all, an that night he
went home early.
Unfortunately, his good resolution
did not last. His mothers perpetual
grumbling, partly the result OF falling
health, and his own enforced inactivity,
made the lad hunger for some excite
ment 10 help him forget the troubles
and dangers by which he was surround
ed. So when party Of young fellows
on their way to the inn asked him to
accom- pany them, he consented after a
very short struggle. Moderation was
not in Georges nature. He drank and
smoked more than was good for him;
then he went shamefacedl7 homewards,
resolving to act differently on the NOR
row; yet when the morrow came, doing
the very same thing again.
With anyone less simple, or less de-
voted to him, than his parents. he could
not have escaped detection. But while
they could not help noticing certain
peculiarities in his conduct, IL never &C.
Cured TO the old pscple that these CT
whom they were SO proud could be
giving way to excess, distressed though
they were at his absentlng himself
night after night. Their unsuspicious-
ness encouraged him 10 the course he
was pursuing. He grew SO reckless
that his dissipated habits were known
TO nearly everybody in Scadden except
the three most intimately concerned;
it was q matter OF frequent remark
that young George Vane was going
fast TO the dogs. BY those who had
been inclined TO connect him with the
murder Of Henry Wilmett, his conduct
at this time was regarded as confirm
ing their opinion.
Hattie was painfully aware OF what
was going on. She had her own sources
of Information, and she utilized them
to the fullest extent where George was
concerned. But when 1t came to check
found herself powerless. for she could
not succeed In speaking to him alone.
Once or twice she saw him In the dis
lance, but In each case he had disap-
peared before she reached the spot.
Although she could not believe that he
purposely Stunned her, she could not
help feeling a little hurt vet this did
not interfere with her anxiety TO NEE,
him. So she kept watch for him on his
way to ana from the Dragon, and one
evening about dusk bounced upon him
on the outskirts Of the town.
I'VE are strangers now, George" she
said, coldly.
And the lad turned crimson and huns
his head.
"Why is thatp" she asked.
"We said goodbye, didn't we, at
Cushlabeg," he stammered.
"Then your words had no meaning"
said Hattie. lyon told me how fond
you were OF me. Was it trueP cans
believe it,"
"Did l ever tell you lie?" demanded
George, thoroughly reused now. ~
loved you with all my heart and soul.
DO stil-nore than ever-because l am
so miserable. Oh, Hattie, you don't
know how miserable | am. Miserable
about my people-about mysslf-aoout
you. The old home is gone, and the old
life. and the old happiness. There /:
nothing left but misery"
There is manhood" said Hattie,
very gently, "and manhood Is strong.
"And l am weak, you mean. Is II
weak to love you, yet to feel l can
never marry you? l told you so that
night. see it 8 hundred times more
plainly now"
"But why, George? Tell me why
because things are going from bad
TO worse. We seem to be pursued by
some fend. What have my father and
mother done that all this should have
come upon them?"
"But are you doing your best Tor