Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-19

her head. widened her eyes with an i'm
pudent and unspOken, Really, now,
you don't say 500" shrugged her very
bare shoulders and-laughed.
| Weston rose to his feet as the express
sive staccato dubbed forth, and walk
ed abruptly away from Miss Hoicomb,
lest he could no longer check the anger
which had begun to replace the color
in his face with a dead white. His
whole manner evidenced his passion,
as did his deep blue eyes and his light
~ drawn brow. \ WeSterner would
have collOquilly described him as
reused"
But when after an instant OF deter
mined effort he turned again and faced
her he still held himself in perfect con-
troll. and was able, as he bowed 10 her
without offering his hand, to say with
profound hauteur:-
Good night and good-by"
His companion barely opened her
compressed lips as she returned with
admirable carelessness:
"Good-by."
Then with dignity the man walked
70 the door, pushed back widely the
poruerre hanging there. and was on the
point Of passing out when suddenly he
faltered.
Opposite him in the hallway was a
long mirror sunk in the high oak vain
scoting. In it was perfect reflection
OF the room behind him, and Of the scar
let figure OF frankie, her flaming gown
accentuated by the white and gold of
the rooms furnishings and the radi-
ance Of the gaslight full upon her arms
and upon her exposed shoulders.
Confronted by this unexpected ap-
partition OF his sweetheart, whom he
was leaving in anger and with per-
emptOry inality, Weston drew back
with sharply drawn breath, startled
by the realization that this was the
end
He hesitated. slipping his hands
down into his trousers pockets and low
ering his head in last reflection upon
the situation.
He was lawyer and man of logic.
Surely he had not pleaded his case well
to this badly behaved young bread-and-
butter miss. He should have demand
ed, with the fine ring of justice his
voice that was so effective in the court
room
You condemn me for trife with
the full measure of your scorn. Your
severity is absurd If | am a social
blunderer does that prove am no gen.
tleman? Is my character and my love
10 be reckOned by my ignorance of cor
rect etiquette. Surely not You are
a woman, and cannot condescend TO an
obstinate cruelty. You can and shall
forgive the unluck OF an evening"
With the thrill OF this fair appeal he
once more turned impulsively TO the
original OF the mirrors brilliant coun-
terteit, his anger superseded by his mo-
me0t's iuSniration.
, He reached her in three strides
Then In TINS crucial instant frankie
looked up 10 demand the 'eason of his
. return and in her eyes he read dis
tinctly her readiness for mirth at this
second hum6ling of himself A rush
Of embarrassment confused him in con-
sequence, and he was able only to
blurt out awkwardly:
frankie, we are acting like idiots.
Think how absurd this stageyness will
appear TO us tomorrow. You must
certainly see how unreasonable you are.
Come. let us put an end to this at once.
and rise above the contenuOusness of
school children
, Then stopping resolutely, he gather
, ed her hands into his own as they lay
upon her lap and, bending down, would
have pressed his lips TO them. when,
with a violent movement, the girl was
, upon her feet. her hands behind her, ex-
claiming
Don't touch me, please"
/ In an instant Weston was erect.
Il beg your pardon" he retOrted
For a moment they locked at each
other steadily, his eyes blazing. Then,
bowling Stifly. he turned and was gone.
Perhaps the look on the mans face
as he passed out frightened the girl for
{ her rudeness changed to quick alarm
for what she had done: and. taking
) step forward. she stood nervously list
iening while she heard him putting on
his light OvercOat outside
Several instants thus elapsed; then
she called anxiously:-
George
There was no answer, and after a
moment she repeated the name
George
Weston still demurred. When he re-
entered he held his hat in his hand.
'Well?" he demanded.
This cos brevity was a trifing dis
concerning; but Miss frankie looked at
him with suddenly smiling eyes, IN
which was much confidence as we'll as
challenge.
| However. Weston continued TO stand
unbendingly upon the threshold and at
last she came trailing toward him slow
ly. with all the witohery and mystery
that a girl can use so effectively for the
benefit OF the man she likes above other
men.
With the sudden Inconsistency OF her
sex all anger had left her face, and
now with adorable gentleness she came
quite close 70 him. putting her hands
caressingly upon his coat sleeve, and
thus stood endeavoring to soften the
expression upon his face with the full
| sweetness OF her eyes.
Yet Weston remained entirely I'M
moved; and at last asked again, stern
ly:-
"Wen?"
At this Miss Holcomb dropped her
ewes. twisted a button on his sleeve.
blushed little. and, raising her glance,
said irresistibly and audaciously:-
You may kiss my hand if you like.
dear"
At another time Weston would have
| snatched this imDertinent thing tn hin,