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


sionately; Il have not seen her very
often of late; some way she is too busy,
or-or something"
He waited for me to speak.
And when we had parted | told him
all, and he had sworn, with a very
white face, that this state OF affairs
must come to an end"
A few days afterward, as I sat by
my window sewing, a boy handed me
note through the open easement. 1t
was from Olivia, and said: Come over
Immediately; want you"
Hastily donning my hat and gloves.
ran along the old familiar path,
across the fields, wondering all the
time what had come over her that she
wanted me so very much. Perhaps she
had repented and returned to Lee. Zeal
and true, and wanted to tell me.
/ found her in her room, flushed with
excitement and trying in vain to ar
range her beautiful hair; while on the
bed lay her lovely new muslin, and be-
side it her dainty gloves.
"Oh, you've come at last" she ex-
claimed, as l entered the room
Yes" I made answer. feeling as if
were treading on some lady's grave.
What do you want me for, Olivia?"
on, she said, nervously, Il am 60
ing to Elton tonight on the evening
train with Mr.. Norcross. and don't tell
a soul, Edith she added tragicallv.
coming closer and speaking very low.
while all the color fled from her face.
Il am going to be married at s o'clock
to Mr.. Norcross."
what countenance for prospective
BRIDE
Your parents are going along?" I
could not help but ask.
NO, she answered hurriedly. look
ing away They don't know or even
dream OF my marriage tonight They
think we are going down to The Anna
tours"
Then you are not going" I said.
ooh, olivia"
Hush" she calculated wildly:
don't make scene. Mother will hear
you. For my sake, keep quiet, Edith"
What in the name Of sanity are
you possessed OF, Olivia? Think of Lee
Smmerton once" l said. trying to
shake her wild determination.
Don't mention him I'd rather not
think OF him now, for love Mr.. Nor
cross better than all else"
Then why net have a civilized we'd
ding" | urged. driven to the wall.
Mr.. Norcross had rather not have
1t that way He thought, perhaps.
there mighS be objections raised. So
now come up and help me dress. 1t
IS getting late" she answered.
Il shall not help you" l cried ex-
citedly, putting my hands behind me
for further emphasis. 81 am going
home"
Il might have known you would fail
me, she sobbed, when l need you the
worst"
Il am going home 7 reiterated,
taking no heed CT her tears.
Don't tell mother. then, as you 20
down" she pleaded Historically.
clu-ching my arm.
l Wrenched away from her, saying:
please let me alone I am too dis
gusted to say a word 10 your mother.
Good afternoon, Miss Alcott."
"Oh, but you are pitiless and angry.
Edith. I must marry Allan Norcross.
because | love him 50, and he worships
me-"
Don't apologize to me, Olivia; go
apologize to Lee Summerton; apologize
to your own soul" and l pulled away
from her the second time and leG. the
house abruptly. l was so dazed. so
hurt, so excited that I hardly knew
where I was going, when-was il fate.
and an evil one at that?-I met Lee
Summerton by the brook.
You must not go over there" 7
cried. "She is going to be married to
that fellow, NOrcross, this evening;
and her parents know nothing of it.
either" | sank down on the messy
bank of Pebble Brook and gave VENT
to my agonized soul through a torrent
OF tears.
"Oh, God, nor exclaimed Lee, stag
gering back as if I had dealt him a
blow. can e'opoment?" he asked.
presently, looking down at me, white
and fierce.
ooh! yes; and cannot you prevent
it, Lee?" I asked. All, luckless ques-
ton! He stood for a moment regard
ing me; then, putting his right hand
in his pocket. he Withdrew it with a
bitter smile of hatred and sorrow.
1T shall never be! I swear it to
you. Miss Kingsley" and he turned on
his heel and was over the brook in an
instant.
l was certain I saw the CLEAN of a
weapon in his hand, and my heart
seemed turning to stone. ! went home
sick, with a new and terrible fear: all
night long I lay staring at the blank
darkness and wondering vaguely if
Lee meant to murder Allan NOTcross.
The next day all Meadowside was
wild with excitement over the finding
of the dead body of the artist.
He had been found lying by the read
side near Mr. AlcOtt's cottage, with a
bullet hole through his temple. He
had evidently fallen dead without even
struggle and as the body had not
been mOlested. the murder certainly
had not been committed for money.
His purse and fine gold repeater were
still on his person, and nothing had
been disturbed, some one must have
followed him from the city and killed
Allan Norcross out Of revenge, every
one thought The whole circumstance
was shrouded in mystery, however
and no one remembered seeing any
suspicious characters in the neigh6or-
hood. The address of friend was
found on a letter in his rooms at Mead
owside. and the terrible fate OF The art
ist was telegraphed to the city.
A man came and took the body back
to the city with him. Too bad. TOO
badr' the stranger had said. "Too
bad for Mrs. NorcrOss and the little
one: but. after al. they're better oil
III ~ -. Lin, on. he US q hal one VS.