Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-26
A FREAK OF FATE.

llOhCct.
When their engagement was an
nounced to the world at large it created
the proverbial nine days wonder for
they were about the last people that
any one would have expected to come
together. The affair was freely discuss
ed at five o'clock tea tables, and IN club
smoking rooms, and the universal YER
diet was that it would prove and igno-
minious failure, and be off before
three months had passed. But tor once
the wiseacres were wrong. When SIX
months had passed the affair was sun
on" and preparations for the Weuulns
were in full swing. Shoulders WUie
shrugged and heads were shaken. Inc
tide of gossip and scandal flowed me!
riiy. but somhow it never touched Mai
sic. There was something about her
that forbade any active OUTSIDE inter
ference in her private affairs, and the
most hardened scandal-monger lackeu
courage to approach her on the SUBJECT
of Dicks delinquencies, past and pres
emit
say "present" adyisedly, for though
he contemplated matrimony he ala NOT
contemplate giving up the amusemehts
and associations that belonged or rlghl
to his bachelor days. Certainly those
amusements and associations were less
in evidence than they had been Deiore
his engagement. but they remained III
the background all the same-ahd he
intended them to remain. 49,
Most men pull up little when tIeY
marry. and go steadier AT any l"te' IUi
a time; but Dick did not mean w. iie
meant to 90 on as he had begun IN
short instead of his proposing 10 re-
linoush the aforesaid amusements ana
associations that he might marry NAL
sic. lie proposed to marry Maisle thdt
he might not be obliged 10 reilnquish
the amusements and associations. mat
is the case in nutshell. -.
For he had come to the end oil MS
tether at last. The patience OF MS Iona
suffering creditors was exhausted INC
Jews would have nothing more 10 say
10 him. his signature was drug IN tne
money-lending market, ana rum az.
solute and complete, stared MIN III 'i-0
face. 49,. ,,.oro
In such desperate strait there were
Two alternatives left to him-and TWO
nnIv. One was social extinction IN
mediate and for all time; the other was
70 marry money. Of two two evils
choose the least, and he chose TO marry
money. .o.o,s
His choice fell on Maisie, for reasons
that were sufficiently practical ne
DroDosed and was accepted; after Whlcu
he proceeded to play the role OF ue-
voted lover to the best of his aolllly'
and II Was a role for which his hahd-
some face and delightful manners EN-
inently fitted him. at.
Rut Maisie knew nothing or all thls'
She was not ignorant, although she was
innocent, and, doubtless, she suspeceeu
that Dick, in common with other hieh,
had sown a certain amount Oh VIZ i'i
oats in his time, but that he was sun
assiduously engaged in sowing thGH
She did not suspect. Dick knew she
did not suspect and he prayed deVoutiY
rhat her suspicious might not De
aronsed at all events until the marriage
was an accomplished fact.
The oddly assorted pair regarded
tl,air engagement and coming marriage
from totally different standpoints.
picks heart was in no way concerned
and his view Of the case was that OIL
selfish, reckless man OF the WoIlu.
Naisies was that OF a true ana loving
woman. Her heart was in every way
concerned for she had given it to DICK.
He was all the world to her, ana Us tue
golden summer days sped by, she
dreamed the dream tnat COMES " ~
woman twice in lifetime.
So things went On. and the ail-iln-
nortant day that was to change Maisle
ChalIoner into Mrs. Dick Ferrars drew
nearer and nearer until it was only
"A week to-day" said Dick, we shall
ba man and wife. How does the idea
strike yOu?' -
They we're sitting out a dance to-
eether at Lady Robinson's ball, ana
fhcy had chosen very comfortable
Mace 10 sit i'll. A coy corner OF the
large balcony, fenced in by a screen
and a thick clump of tall palms ana
lighted by two or three japanese lah-
terms swinging overhead. The scented
solitude was delicious after the noise
and glare Of the crowded ballroom,
nleas8nt little breeze from the outside
world stole its way through the chinks
in the striped awning, the dreamy
music of the violins thrilled sweetly IN
the distance. The dim light fell rosily
on Maisie's fair uplifted face, with its
cbise!ed features and satin skin, and
the great gray eyes that were so Iull OF
womanlv scftness and tenderness. She
made a charming picture as she sat
there. leaning idly back on the somber
nlusb pillows-a charming picture OF
warm. living, lovely color.
Dick spoke lightly, but he looked at
her with certain amount OF anxiety.
He could not help feeling anxious some
times So much depended on this last
venture az his. and he was not safe even
vet There was a whole week OF IN
certainty before him, plenty OF time
that for things 10 go wrong, and II they
did-if they did. Ii was subject that
he did not care to pursue to us logical
conclusion.
4 faint pink flush stole softly into
Maisles's cheeks. Ii was very pretty
aush. and Dick admired it critically
from an artistic point of view, though
il did not make his pulses beat one whit
the faster.
1T strikes me-pleasantly," she an
swered. aud then she looked at him and
smiled.
The smile was as pretty in its way as
the flush. and The two combined were
altogether adorable. Dicks heart thrill
led with The pride Of possession, if with
10 warmer feeling.