Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-10-13

small garden; man or a powerful, al
though stunted frame, with large hands
and huge feet, and a vacant face par
TALLY hidden under shock of black
hair, and behind bushy, bristly beard.
He stood and started at the trap.
Good day, Boys" said Martin.
"Who is your visitors"
Not one O. your kind, squire"
"A lady?"
aye an a fool; like me, squire, like
me- Martin laughed and drove on.
"One of natures curosdties, Mr.. Ar
fist; sometimes as docile as a sheep,
sometimes as wild as a hungry wolf"
IAN imbecile?"
eyes, of the intermittent order.
Harmless, the doctors say, although for
my part, should not like to trust him
in one of his wolfish moods"
II believe he was in love with girl
in Medworth once; she was pretty
and, well, did not fancy him. See what
love can do, Roger, and take warn
ing. Here we are and welcome to Ash
ton Manor"
AshtonManor may be described in
very few words. Take the picturesque
bits Of half dozen old-fashioned coun-
try houses you know, mix them to-
gether, set the mixture in we'll wooded
grounds-and there you have it. We'll
come indeed! The red glow peeping
out from nearly every window, telling
of good cheer and good company, mirth
and liberty, spoke for itself. Half an
hour after being introduced to Edith
Halstead and at least a dozen guests,
Roger felt as If he had known them all
for years and could never remember
any other home. There was nothing
stiff, no one was formal. The Halses
had the happy knack of making it
seem as if nothing had especially been
prepared-as if you were taking them
just as they were, so to speak.
Among the guests was Miss Carson,
and talking to. her after dinner Roger
discovered that this was also her first
visit to Ashton.
I'VE came three days ago. My cous-
in, May Armitage, and | have known
the Halses for half a dozen years or
more. May has been here two or three
times, but it is my first appearance"
Some days elapsed before Roger Will
mer attempted to go to Medworth Marsh
professionally, and on the first occasion
Maud Carson and Miss Armitage went
with him. Afterwards they both de-
clared that it was too depressing, and
he had to go on by himself The place
fascinated him, and even the desire to
be in Miss Carson's society could not
deter him from transferring the scene
to his canvas.
"By the way, have you ever come
across the ghost?" Miss Carson asked
him.
mo, but have heard him or her
which Is it-moan."
Miss Carson looked at him incredu-
lousy q moment.
"a fact?"
Eyes and no." he answered. "The
only ghost there is is the wind, Miss
Carson"
Roger Wilmer had barely two hours
light that afternoon, and he was just
gathering his brushes and parapher-
MALTA together preparatory to starting
home, when he became conscious OF
there being somebody close TO him.
One can feel presences in such lonely
places. Wilmer had taken his pitch IN
a little hollow.
You poster me-" he heard a wo-
mans voice say.
Il love you. In spite of everything,
I love you. Would any other man have
kept his love so long,"
Keep II, and welcome, but do not
follow me about" was the irritable re-
ply; and then an exclamation followed.
Wilmer turned, and saw standing on
the ridge of the rising ground behind
him two persons. One was Boys, the
imbecile; the other young woman,
plainly but we'll dressed. The last sun
glow ehone upon her face, showing it
to be a beautiful one. Wilmer raised
his hat slightly, and then went on gath
ering his things together.
The lady came toward him as if glad
to get rid of her troublesome companion
who, however, followed her doggedly.
DO you paint here every day." she
asked, and then, seeing the canvas, eX>
claimed How beautiful
Il am glad you like it," said Wilmer,
criticising her.
one Of Mrs. Halse's friends" said
Boys.
yes" answered the artist "Will
that serve me as an introduction"
The woman smiled.
81 shall take the liberty of coming
again when the picture is finished, she
said Did you say you were here
every day?'
mo, not every day"
She bowed and passed on, with Boys
in close attendance.
Wilmer mentioned the little adven-
ture after dinner at the Manor that eve
ming.
"Quarrelling, were they?" said Miss
Halse.
1T seemed like that
what is this Boys like?" asked Miss
Carson.
Wilmer took a piece of paper from
his rocket and made rough sketch in
pencil. ~
he will tell you"
Martin looked at it and pronounced
it a very good likeness.
And the lady, Mr.. Wilmer" said
Miss Carson. "Was she pretty"
Wilmer began to sketch another face
upon the paper.
pretty She is beautiful" exclaimed
May Armitage, looking over his Shout
der.
"Was that the woman?" said Martin.
eyes. it is something like her" re-
turned Wilmer, carelessly.
Martin looked at the artist for mo-
ment and then crossed the room to talk
TO two or three Of his guests who were
standing by the fireplace.
CHAPTER H.
Mice IIalse had sent out invitations