Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-07-05

But why do you thank me?" Wilmay
asked.
Because I have seen the face of an
angel"
Wiimay asked me afterward what she
had meant. l told her that l did not
know, and that Lady Harston was more
CT less mad. But | might just as well
have told her the truth, for it was i'm
possible TO spoil her think she knew
that she was very beautiful, and sup
pose she was glad Of il. But cOmpli-
ments on her beauty, however delicate
and indirect, bored her when they came
from women and frightened or dis
pleased her when they came from men.
Bertha gave dance soon after Will
may came out. Certainly, that night
Wilmay scarcely looked like a flesh and
blood mo- al. an ordinary thing that
danced and could be taken down to sup
per- Her beauty was not only that her
features were perfect in shape, and that
the cOlOring of her eyes and hair and
skin were so lovely; she had a rare
sweetness Of expression, an expression
that is only found with an absolutely
Stenling. the portrait painter, looking
at her with undiSguised and reverent
admiration. Later in the evening Ber-
tina touched me on the arm.
Isn't she splerdid?" she said.
"Who?"
''Wilmay, of course Bertha went on,
speaking rapidly in a low voice. Every
bOdy'S talking of her. Stenling's in a
great state OF excitement. He goes
about saying: Either l paint Miss AM
Ory-or l die But l mustn't wait
here" and before I could reply she had
passed on.
Wilmay gave me two dances.
danced the first with her, and We sat
out the second.
IT'S good of you, Wilmay," 1 said
TO take pity on the aged and infirm
like this"
DO you know, Edward" she said,
that you've always been the same age
ever since I've known you. You've not
changed in the least. You'll never be
old"
It's my fixed intention to be forty
next year"
But you've not changed, and have.
And women get old so quckly-it's
very sad Yes, of course I'm young
enough now. But"-she stretched out
her hands-"I feel the nasty little slip
perry moments running through my i'm
gers and laughing, and l can't hold
them
"Wllmay," said, this will not do at
all. Your time is now. The night IS
yOurs-a night of triumph. You must
be very happy"
She smiled. Il am not really very
miserable. But I'm not very happy
either"
why nOt?"
I'M don't know-restless. Did
Won ever want something and yet not
know what it VASE
l reflected, and said that knew what
she meant.
There was a moments pause, and
! then she said:
You must not tell Bertha that I'm
no, quite absolutely happy, because she
would not understand as you do, and II
would distress her. l should not IKE
| that-Td do anything for Bertha, you
know. and anything wouldn't be nail
! enough"
| Yes. that was precisely what l was
afraid of-that Wilmay would 90 any
thingNor Bertha, even to the importing
of her own happiness.
Besides" Wilmay went on, lit is re-
ally nothing-a fit of sentimentallty.
Why don't you laugh at me, Edward?
Tonight" l SAID. you are too beau
/ ..r--t LAUGHED \
She looked at ME with wide open tou-
bled eyes.
cor else" 1 said. perhaps I've grown
too sentimental myself TO do any laugh
ing"
left the dance early, and went home.
But il was long after that before went
10 bed. had to make up my MIND one
way or the other. and | found 1t diff
cult The decision came at last, and 1t
orlv remained for me TO act upon It,,
and as far as possible TO avoid the weak
ness of pitying myself. When my man
called me in the morning, he was little
surprised to be told that we shoulu IeaVe
for Paris that night
In the afternoon l went round 10 Ber-
+ha's house. WilmaY was out. Lady
Harston was taking her to some pic
snre gallery. which" as Bertha re-
marked. lis all very well when you're
very Young. But, personally, l don't
go to picture galleries the afternoon af-
ter a dance.
Bertha looked at me up and down.
"Wbars the mater with you? What
have YOU been doing with yourseIf?'
Nothing. Never been filter
.WeU. YOU don't look it. Go home,
and then go to bed
No" said, Il shall go home, ana
then 60 to Paris
Bertha got up, walked to the window,
and looked out.
Going to be away long?"
"Oh. some little time, believe"
Bertha sighed. you won't think me
uns;sterly, but I'm not altogether sorry
TO hear it,"
"Unsisterly? Why, only near blood
relaticl could have said that. And why
are you glade"