Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-02-09


be party to such an infamous scheme.
ooh, you'll change your mind. Look
for me at twelve. Goodbye till then.
It was a wretched night. A biting
wind was blowing furiously from the
northwest. making the large houses
crsak and shake, and causing the tall
trees to wr.the and wrench unal 1t ap-
Dcared that tleir limbs would be riYen
asunder. w. the exception Of one
Young man the street was totally aban-
doned.
Excellent night for ghosts to walk,
muttered he between mis- teeth. Il
wonder If that somnambulist will nave
sense enough 10 remain IN her room
tonight"
Pulling his coat closer over him and
looking around as if to make sure that
no unsightly ghost Swallowed his path,
he qu.ckened his already rapid pace.
q believe this IS the place" he said,
entering a house and ringing a bell.
The door soon opened, whence two 9TH
ers joined him.
1T is already twelve" said the new
conner "Have you he license?"
All prepared" answered one of them
Strange time and place"
"You mus. remember" impatiently
interrupted the frs speaker, that you
are paid to perform the ceremony, and
beyond taat neither of you is 20 open
his mouth
Il fully understand" answered ne, not
a little stung by the sharp reply. Inc
three men then sought their way ST.
l.ently through the darkness 20 the de-
pot. and soon ushered themselves into
the waiting room which was d-mly
lighted by a badly smoked lamp. The
leader hurried to another room, leaving
his companions to hover over the last
lingering sparks of the days fire which
now smoulde.ed N the little heating
stove.
The leader entered the telegraph Of
fee. where Redwine rose, evidently agl-
tated at his appearance. The office had
no other occupant save a woman who
stood over the telegraph table. A large
bonnet almost concealed her head and
face, and her whole form was enveloped
n a long gossamer. =
Wrapped as she was, George Airing
ton could not help fancy.ng that he saw
the peculiar qualities which character
iZed this woman She was short and
plump. her form indicating that she was
one of those old-fashioned little women
possessed of an excellent nature and a
jovial sposition-admirable in sim
Al 11a ffri in II
face was full and round, not noted for
beauty, but remarkable for magetism.
A fierce argument ensued between the
young men. For long time each spoke
with spirit and vehemence while the
men in the other room paced the floor
impat.ently. During the debate, so
eager was each to carry his point,
neither Of them noticed tae actions of
the girl.
Nearly an hour had elapsed, when Os-
car turning TO the table. took the hand
Of the UNCONSCIOUS girl, and, placing her
hand in mis- own, started toward the
ether room.
Wait" whispered George, excitedly;
see # she is going to betray us"
"Will you marry me?" asked Oscar.
She nOdd5d aflilmaGvely.
Don't you hate me?'
The same motion was repeated.
Oscar looked agitated, while George
tried to smother MS m.rtA with his
handkerchief.
The ceremony was performed, and the
two men, unaware of the Teachery TO
which they had been accessory, return
ed to their homes. The others went back
to the Office, Oscar to sit before the fire
and regret his action from the lowest
depths of his soul; Elizabeth to return
to the telegraph table, dreaming that
her daily duties would soon be over, but
being uniformed by any goddess Of
chat land Of vision that THIS was a most
important moment in her young life;
while George remained to view develop
ments. triumphant over his success.
A half hour later the unconscious
bride cut out the current, made neces-
say preparations for closing up, and
left the Office. George, after again con-
graduating Oscar, soon took his de-
parJure.
Oscar Redw.ne was in a dilemma.
The poor. weak, timid fellow racked
his brain until bath fertile and barren
spots had been titled afresh, in the vain
hope that some place might give birth
to some solution CT the perilous posi-
ton. The very thought of confessinS
to his wife terrified him. Wife The
word itself filed him with dismay.
George advised him to make a con-
should BE- won the difficulty would be re-
moved. But Elizabeth was 50 ab0m:n-
ably ard pTovckingly coquetC.sh that ne
never could approach her. When he
was hopeful she put his courage TO
fight: when he was respondent she was
gay and hilarious, first sympathiz.ng,
then rid!cul.ng.
Poor girl" he would moan, chow
she would change if she only knew. "
He implo ed George to be spokesman,
but tha5 gentleman did net think him
self the proper person. He next re-
solved to end mis- miserable life with
laudanum, but could not think Of TAX
ing such an important step without the
advice Of George. who as a matter CT
course. d.ssua1ed him. Drowning would
be an excellent end He forthwith
sought the pond, but of course George
was the,e and dragged out the strang-
ling man. Here ne Historically thank
ed his preserver, but wished that he
had been permitted to die.
At length. however, the crisis came.
George swore that he would publish an
account Of the marriage in the paper in
three days if Oscar did not tell all to h.s
wife. Oscar could not muster courage
to face her wr-ll, So he decided TO write.
Two .,t-,o1a davis and nights Ue-e snent