Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-03

| Something in her attitude and man
ner embroidered him to proceed: You
know | am only a poor. struggling law
| yer. Yet. as have hopes of the future.
my dearest wish shall be to win your
regard"
You know so little OF me-" she said
at last, raising her eyes for an instant
and then dropping them again as she
| saw the ardent gaze he bent upon her.
81 have learned to know you well" he
said. I'VE might have known each
| other year in ordinary social inter-
course and yet not be as well acquaint-
ed as we are after three weeks in this
unconventional atmosphere
He took her hand with a strong, pro-
tecting grasp. 81 shall not ask for
definite answer now. Let me come to
see you at your home in the city. Let
me have talk with your father.
Where can I see him."
A smile dimpled her cheeks as she
said: 81 will write and inform YOU as
soon as I return to the city. Father is
away Just now. but when he comes back
l will ask him to communicate with
YOU"
The children came romping and
laughing down the pathway, urging
Miss Gordon TO come in and sing for
them. so Walter Ainsworth was forced
to be content with formal leave TAX
ing in the presence of the family.
Two weeks had passed since his re-
turn to the city, and Walter Ainsworth
was becoming somewhat impatient at
the enforced separation, when one
! Aorning the mail brought him
daintily penned missive from Alice
| Gordon. stating that she was at home
and would be glad to see him in the
evening. As he laid down the letter
after half dozen readings, he mechan-
ically opened another which he noticed
bore the printed heading of one OF the
! largest business firms in the city. 1t
was from Alice's father and contained
brief but cordial invitation to call at his
Office at an appointed hour in the after
noon. 1t was signed with the name OF
| Silas Gordon and as he glanced at the
! bold signature Walter Ainsworth
sprung from his chair in establishment.
| II was the name of the head of the firm,
a millionaire, and one of the'most inf1u-
entail men in the great city.
'Impossiblew said he. and hastily
turned to the city directory to see If
| there could be two persons By that
name The name of Silas Gordon oc-
CURED but once and the house address
correspondent with that given by his
| daughter in her little note.
Walter Ainsworth paced rapidly back
/ and forth across the room, as he re-
| 4. ,,,to elm Mo
dress. her natural. unaffected manner,
and, above all. her statement that she
was kindergarten teacher. had given
him the impression that her family
we're in only ordinary circumstances.
Suddenly he recalled the fact that
number of wealthy girls in the city had
instituted the free kindergarten system
and a few had even donated their SER
vices as teachers. What an idiot
have been" he calculated. What
must they think of me- and the painful
thought crossed his mind that perhaps
Mr. Gordon's request TO call at his Office
yelled an intention to give harsh dis
missal to the audacious lover.
Summoning all his resolution, how
ever. at the appointed hour he entered
the offices Of Mr.. Gordon and sent in
! his name. He was Immediately ush-
cred into a handsomely furnished pri-
vate rcom and digniiied, gray haired
/ gentleman rose TO greet him. With
out waiting for Mr. Gordon to introduce
the subject. he began TO speak Of his ac-
Guaintance with Miss Gordon. Il could
not help but love her." he said, but
would never have addressed her had
I ~ do lcrhf OF
He then spoke of his own prospects and
said in conclusion: Il trust that you
will understand that I now realize the
| difference between her situation and
my own and while | shall never forget
her kindness | will withdraw the words
l have spoken to her
The elder man heard him through in
silence ard then turned to him with
| kindly smile What you have said, Mr..
Ainsworth. only confirms the report l
have received from my daugt - and
| increases my respect for you. was a
poor young man myself some years
ago and it has always been my desire
| that my daughters should be chosen
for themselves and not for their wealth
or worldly advantages. My wife and
have been spending the summer in
| Germany with my eldes, daughter who
married a German count" He paused
a mOent and his countenance fell. Il
suppose she is happy enough, but |
would much prefer that she had an
! American husband"
As it to terminate the interview, he
rose to his feet. Suppose you come up
to our home this evening? Perhaps
Alice can settle this question"
As Walter Ainsworth approached a
handsome stone house, situated on an
aristocratic avenue. he saw an elegant
carriage drive up and Alice herself
alight and walk rapidly up the steps.
Could this stately young woman, dress
| ed in d handsome costume of silk and
| velvet, be his girlish companion of the
! summer? His heart sunk within him.
He was shown into an exquisite little
reception room, richly furnished in
white and gold. Five, ten. fifteen min
Utes passed and still Miss Gordon did
not appear. Suddenly he heard a faint
rustic and turned quickly toward the
doorway. The curtains parted and
there stood slight, dark-eyed girl
simply dressed in an old blue serge
skirt, with a pink cotton waist, while
| a battered straw hat swung on her arm.
A merry yet tender smile lighted up her
/ face.
You see have not changed Have
you?" she said.
Say 70 more. dearest" he whisper
! ed. as he took her in his longing arms.
The gifts Of the gods are not to be
!