Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-08-11

low WOuIu 20 OH lark WIN JACK and
think nothing of it when he wouldn't
join his father in a drink. And now
that we are very sure that we are go
ing to be the happiest people in the
world l will run down to the office for
a few minutes, if you will excuse me.
There's some important mail"
Howard, we were going to take you
for a drive" said Helen, disappoint-
eddy. "Conldn't you give up the Office
just this once for u.s."
"Well-er-you see this is very i'm
portant, but l tell you what we'll do.
Drop me at the office and come back
for me in a few-say ten minutes-and
then-anywhere you like
III.
Howard Verdery bounded lightly up
the stairway and into his Office, whist
ling as he wentNo one was about. not
even the janitor, as all were enjoying
the holiday and a heap of letters lay
upon the floor, where they had been
pushed through the door by the post
man. Verdery gathered up the lot
and, tossing them upon his desk, began
hurriedly running through them.
It was the first minute that he had
had to himself all day, and now as it all
rushed upon him he felt sure, quite
sure. that in all the world there was
not a happier man than he. He sorted
out the letters. selecting such as he
deemed important, and ripping them
open mastered their contents in the
quick fashion Of a trained business
man. But he could not bring his mind
to the exclusive consideration of what
was before him. Helen's smile, Hell
ems voice-Helen, Helen, Helen, was
before him.
There was a light step on the stair
and the rustic of skirts. Helen al
ready, and I'm not half through" he
murmured gladly, his eyes moving over
the paper with greater swiftness. The
step was at the door, and springing up
with beaming, smiling face, the letters
falling to the floor, he stood to meet her.
Helen"
He fell back a pace or two as if some
one had given him a blow. His out
stretched arms fell numbly and the
smile died on his face.
Howard, Howard 1t was a
voice whose tones he well knew, but
which he had not heard for years, and
which he had almost forgotten. A
queenlv woman with pale and troubled
face stood before him, holding out her
hand "Howardw To the tortured
man it seemed as if whole half hour
passed as they stood thus. He could
not speak.
"Will you not speak to me here?" she
asked
What are you doing here?" he said
in a voice that was not his own.
Howard, speak to me-just word
speak to me as you once did, and l cary
tell you"
The woman was almost pathetic in
her appeal; the tears started from her
eyes.
4 never expected to see you again"
he went on rapidly, disregarding her.
"You have no right to come here. | had
forgotten you-you are nothing TO me.
What do you want here? Tell me
quick
She was not a woman to be frighten-
ed: her face bore proof of that, but his
words completely unnerved her.
Don't talk to me that way" she
begged: don't Forgive me for com
ing to you, but could not stay away
1 had to come. l saw by the papers
That YOU were to be married. and it
drove me wild. thought could leave
YOU alone forever; but | could not bear
it. I cannot see you marry another,
Howard. | cannot, l cannot! It's moth
ling to me, l know, but you shall not
you are wild-mad," he said ex-
citedly. Her passion had aroused him,
almost frightened him. you are a
perfect fool. You don't seem to under
stand that l was a boy, nothing but
a boy. with no ideas of duty or love or
ANYTHING | am man now; l have
crushed the past under my foot, and
you-yOu with it"
He had grown very calm and reso-
lutte now. The necessity for quick, eff
fective action had impressed him.
ANY minute my affianced wife may
come in that door" he said; and she
must not see you here. DO you under
stand that? There is the door" He
pointed to it Electrically. But she did
not heed.
4 shall not CO." she said. 81 shall
tell her. Not that I want to harm you
i would do anything in the world for
vou-but IL could not allow YOU TO
marry any one 1t would kill me"
This is insanity" he said. Mad
ness! Why do you come here at this
time. of all times? If had cared any
thing for you would | have kept away
from you all these years? l have for
gotten you-forgotten that you ever
lived. You are nothing to me- Now,
why do you stay? Go, gO-she, She
Helen-will be here in moment-in a
moment and-she must not see you
herew
He alternated between GOODNESS and
intense excitement. The strain upon
his nervesswas most severe. What if
Helen should come? This woman was
trembling with excitement, but desper-
ately resolute.
q shall not CO., she shouted.
you shall" ne shouted. You shall
go You shall not stay here and ruin
ND lust because of a schoolboy promise.
I was a boy then, l am man now!
Now gO!'
The woman gave no sign of yielding.
She stood firmly and looked the young
man squarely in the face.
"WiH you not gO?" he begged.
Don't you understand what it means
to me if you should stay here another
minute? The woman 1 am going to
marry is coming here, and she must not
see you-oh. can't you understand that
and won't you go? Go, please go, and
come back to-morrow-any time, but
leave me now-for Gods sake
Neither had heard a gentle footstep
in the hallway, and for a moment
neither saw the tall fine woman who
stood in the doorway looking at them
with wondering eyes.
Then al the same moment, ne eyes
Of both fell upon her. They under
- o. q ON.