Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-02-16
OLIVIA.


green shutters nestles in a sweet little
valley Of the Empire State. Dark ce-
dars shut out the oppressive heat OF the
Summers noontide, and lend their spi-
cy fragrance to the cool shadows be-
Meath
But to return to Olivia, poor girl! l
find myself saying unconsciously,
though l used to comfort my heart by
reveling in my admiration of her rich
costumes and elegant home, luxuries to
which l never hoped to aspire, and Of
ten in my alteration of her loyeliness. l
would call her the queen OF the rose
bud garden.
With her winsome face and luxuriant
tresses, in which the sunshine was for
ever coming and going, she was queen
ly; and the fascination in the depths OF
her eyes. the color of dew-wet pansies,
was enough to enthrall a more fastidi-
Gus soul than mine forLee Summerton
had Worshipped at her shrine for a
qUartette Of years. And she had smiled
on him encouragingly, and it seemed
for once that the course of true love
was running exceptionally smooth,
but the well laid schemes of mice and
men gang aft aglee"
Early one lovely June there came
among us young artist, claiming to
be from the city, and an invalid. At
any rate his stay at Meadowside, he
convinced them, was for his health, and
to obtain a few sketches of real rural
scenery. He was not a bad-looking
fellow in the main, yet, under his pleas
ami QVfQriOr thara lrplya1 o. OWL do
ceitful nature, | felt sure.
said as much to Olivia one evening,
as we loitered along the path across the
fields. had been to spend the day
with her, and she came home with me
as far as Pebble Brook, which divided
my humble home from her fathers
beautiful farm.
OLIVIA" said I, you are forgetting
Lee Summerton altogether, and the way
/ you smile on this eyil-looking fellow
promises no good to YOU either"
"Pooh!' she answered, eleyating her
eyebrows as if surprised. Lee really
has no claim on my affection, and Mr.
/ Norcross is our guest; l must be enter
tanning Lee Summerton, notwithstand-
ing"
She uttered this last in rather an I'M
certain tone, and with decided shrug
of her pretty shoulders. She never had
| spoken so lightly of her lover before,
and l did not half like the seeming in
/ fatuation for this evil genius, Norcross.
We walked on for some time in silence,
she gathering stray daisies by the way,
and | busy thinking.
Look here, Olivia" ! said presently,
/ Il don't want 10 interfere with your af-
fairs, exactly, but you must not care for
this fellow; he is only a pretender,
verify believe, and you should discOun-
tenance him. And while l am speak
ing may as well-tell it all"
Dot she cried. with much warmth
and rising color, make him out any
thing you please. if it adds to your sat-
isfactiOn. but all you can say Efll not
/ change my heart toward Mr.. Norcross
in the least. ! may as well confess
now, that prefer him to Lee Summer
ton already" She shut her lips decis-
lively. while her fair cheek REDEEMED
and paled alternately. l gazed at her
in amazement.
Why don't you go on with your re-
cital, instead of looking at me so?" she
asked presently.
had forgotten for the moment what
l had said. so great was my ill-conceal-
ed chagrin at this confession.
We'll, said !, recovering myself.
there isn't much to say after you've
gone so far as that with a stranger. but
Olivia, did you not notice when we.
teasingly, said to him that we we're in
receipt of letters of inquiry concerning
him, how startled and how guilty. if I
may express myself plainly, he APP
peared?"
NO she answered bluntly
well, he did, and I've noticed twice
before that the receipt of letters in
your family rendered him unnecessar-
lily nervous. And as to your preference.
when Lee Summerton is in the balance.
why, | am panied and surprised at your
decision. To prefer this fellow. of
whom you know nothing. to an accom-
plished gentleman. whom you have
known for years, is absurd. I should
not think any sensible girl would do
this foolish thing, least of all, Olivia
Alcott."
IL am grateful" she replied. "for
your advice and warming. but they
come little too late, as all good
things do, l presume, for I love that
fellow"
rs your father willing for this
change l asked, with a pain at my
heart.
Father doesn't know of it in the
least, nor mother either; it's my own
individual secret, wholly my own.
Edith Kingsley" turning away from
me and looking across the fields toward
the sunset.
| wanted to shake her, but I only
said: For shame Olivia Alcotti To
grieve the three best friends you have.
and, in the end, break their hearts. is
something very wicked"
You're puritanical" she answered
lightly Then added, coaxingly: IF
/ invite you to my wedding. and prove
to you that Lee Summerton Doesn't
love me, you will think better of me.
will you not?"
You can never prove anything Of
the kind, and as to attending your we'd
ding, if celebrated with that rascally
Norcross, why III never Gomez
Complimentary, | will admit. to nv
intended husband, she answered slow
ly, as she looked at me in a puzzled
manner.
Il am in earnest, nevertheless" I re-
torted, springing over the brook. on
the stepping stones, for we had reached
the dividing line And so angry with
me. too she murmured in a fright
ened tone, with look of appeal on her
lovely face.
No" ! answered. "nnt ancrr hnt