Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-11-11
WHEELING REGISTER. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER H. 1894

courage and tenderness she would have
made an admirable nurse, but her pow
ers were tried to the very uttermost
when she had to tell George Vane on
his release from prison that Hattie was
engaged to Tom Willmett.
"Come now, go on with your supper
do George" sac uIged, not knowing
what to say to him afterwards or how TO
ease the pain which had stunned him
for the moment "She is not worth
thinking Of. J"
But with passionate cry Of DISBELIEF
he sprang up and made for the door.
Before she could stop him he was gone.
He went, without thought or purpose,
in the direction of his own home, and
though several persons spoke to him, he
neither saw nor heard them. Surely
no night could be darker than this.
The stars which had shone so brightly
only an hour before had lost all their
light, and the wind, though keen, beat
upon his burning forehead like blast
from a furnace. There was no especial
need for haste, and vet he tore madlY
along the road, while ], the miserable
unseen spirit Of the dead man who had
been his curse, followed at his heels
like a shadow.
Ben Faye stood in the road opposite
the lodge gate of Cronkvash. He had
been hanging about the same spot all
day and the greater part of the day
before. When he saw George he ran
forward with great shout of welcome
and gripped his hand.
Right glad am | to see you again,
Mr.. George" cried Ben, as IL he had
to make himself heard through whole
gale OF wind. 81 could shout for the
Joy that is in me. They should have
sent the bellman around the town,
though, and have had procession with
Parson Maule at the head OF 1t, and
band playing, and the like of that. You
shouldn't be coming home like this at
ALL It's q scaudalous thing they've got
no flags up. l hung a big blanket from
a pole over the house yonder, only
Miss Priscilla made me take II down
said it wasn't decent. Such notions as
people have got to be surem
That was a fortunate meeting for
George. 1t compelled him for the sake
OF the friend who had uncOmplalningly
borne much suffering on his account,
to put away his sorrowful thoughts aud
to assume more cheerful countenance,
and as Ben insisted upon accompany
ing him as far as the cottage, this sell
control had TO be exercised long enough
TO make its influence permanently felt
Ben talked necessarily the whole
time, he was so delighted. But when
George, stopping at thed gate, took
from his pocket two OF the ten pound
notes which Aunt Priscilla had given
him, and offered them to Ben, the latter
was quite indignant. He would not
think of taking them, he said. George,
however, continued TO press them upon
him.
IF not for yourself" he urged, "at
least for our friends in the glen"
well, for them maybe l will" said
Ben, still rather doubtfuily. I've
been sorrowiul enough, thiuKing OF
them poor beings. Thank you then,
Mr.. George, for them, and goodnight
to YOU" And be shook hands with
George, aud went away through the
rain that was already falling heavily.
Rachel heard the click OF the latch as
her brother opened the gate, and put
her head out Of the door.
"Motherl Father she cried, ex-
citedly, here's Georgel Come quickly
here's Georgew
So whan he reached the porch, father
mother, and sister were there to greet
him.
Although they had been trying to
nerve themselves for this mesting, they
broke down utterly at the commence
ment, the old lady weeping unrestrain-
edly when she felt her son safe in her
arms again, while his father and sister
stood by scarcely less moved. But
presently they went into the little sit
ting-room, and there George was con-
Quoted TO the seat OF honor and tho
rest Of the family, smiling through tears
now, grouped themselves around him
as of old. Not one word would they
let him utter about what he had passed
through. But the best supper they
could provide-a very poor one compar-
ed with Aunt Priscilla's-was set be-
fore him, and he was made to eat and
drink again.
TTO BE CONTINUED.