Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-02-09
OSCAR REDWINE'S PECULIAR D.
LEMMA.

LII IA ~ -
az have it. old boy-just the best
scheme you ever heard of. You say she
comes every night?"
George Arlington was indOlently re-
! clining in his easy rocker with his feet
/ proDped up in another chair in his coy
! library The person to whom he adj
| dressed the above remark was leaning
! awkwardly against the old-fashiOned
, mantel-piece, with his bOny elbow bur-
led among various articles which had
| been placed there, while his short chin
was enveloped in a thin, web-like hand.
His form was tall and slender, and it
might not be out of place to say that
| his figure was of a somewhat timber
appearance. His red hair was coarse
and stiff, and like that of Tommy Trad
lies, stood straight upon his head.
His shallow face was spotted and
freckled, his dangling arms were mean
and wiry, while his long legs were lank
and fleshleSs. To complete the picture,
his coat sleeves and trouser legs would
have more completely carried out that
for which they were designed had a
portion of the cloth which caused them
to bag and flap been used in contrib
uting to their length.
Now, there was something strange in
the fact that, among all the people of
the town, this peculiar freak of nature
was George Arlington's favorite.
Wealth, position, society, and, in fact,
all that the world can offer handsome
and opulent young man belonged to
George. Yet all these were as naught
to him beside a genuinely romantic
adventure with some pain specimen of
humanity.
Oscar Redwine freak though he was.
and unblessed by nature, as no one can
deny, possessed a noble heart and some
excellent traits of character, his chief
failing being a devotion to George
which amounted to something like hero
worship.
Redwine had just unfolled a great
secret to his adored George. the nara
ton of which had excited the above re-
mark. In answer to the enquiry made
by George, Oscar assured him that the
lady in question had not missed night
during the last ten.
and you are sure that she is a
somnombulist?"
Perfectly certain. You see. she is
manager of the telegraph office during
the day, and I have charge at night.
Nothing could be more natural than
that when she walks in her sleep. she
would visit the scene of her daily du-
ties
Does she ever talk to you?"
Rarely ever says anything of ner
own accord, but when I ask her ques-
lions she almost invariably mods as
sent. Rather peculiar. isn't it?"
That's simply grand" cried George,
springing to his feet and slapping Os-
car enthusiastically upon the shoulder.
Then the conversation continued in an
animated but confidential manner.
"And you think she is a most excellent
creature?"
"Oh, there can be no doubt of it,"
! emphasized the other
And You like her better than you do
any other living mOrtal?"
That's hardly fair" objected Oscar,
growing crimson.
Never mind that. Do you?"
Eyes. then"
"Why, then. marry her"
Marry herr"
Are you joking or crazy?"
Il certainly am not joking. and don't
( think I'm crazy. In the first place. I
believe that the visits are caused by
some attraction other than a tiresome
old office I have always heard that
sOmnambulists do instinctively what
they actually have an inclination to
perform while in a state of conscious
ness, and | therefore believe that she
would marry you while asleep without
a sign Of disapprobation"
why, the idea is absurd. monstrous.
inconceivable," said RedWine evidently
puzzled and embarrassed.
ne. a BIT of it. Judging from what
You say I think both are willing. If
! you propose TO her she VIII accept. but
! nc. unt.l she has almost tan.aliZed your
! life out Of you. as provoking women al
ways do. Now, don't be tantaized;
| rather be romantic, and YOU may be tnd
only man in America who has married
w.,h neither the knowledge nor consent
Of his wife
It's impossible. l could not take
advantage Of a lady afe r that fashion:
and. besides the marriage could never
be accomplished.
Advantage, indeed! I tell you she
Will be as thoroughly pleased as sur
prised. Leave the management to me.
and | VIII see that you are genuinely
and lawfully married before one o'clock
tonight. I will procure license. engage
magistrate fellow can put up with
| magistrate TO have such an excellantly
rcman.ic affair and be at the telegraph
| Office at twelve o'clock ton ;ght: bring
ing With US one mere witness. I guar
antee that neither OF them shall ever
! know that he bride IS asleep. Just
think of it, Such a marriage. and at
such an hour! Why, cid boy, I believe
you are destined TO be famous" and he
could scarce control an outburst of feel
| ing. while the other looked doubtful.
But suppose she does not act her
part?'
''Why, then we will simply be a whip
ped pair, and the world Will be none th =
wiser"
But what about the magistrate and
the witness"
They'd never know the cause. and.
besides, money always gains silence.
But leave II all to me, and III be ever
lastingly indebted TO you if you are no.
a ma RED man before one"
Eve had better not run the risk. 1t
is now nearly seven, and must be go
ing, or the dear girl VIII be kept wait
ing"
Go ahead. III have all arranged and
be there by twelve sharp. What is the
ladys full name?"