Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-17

Of your selfish tyranny; and If Allen does
not make me his wife. l shall so out into
the world to earn my own living! At least
l have enough to live on
Enough TO live on?" he replied slowly.
perhaps yes, perhaps no."
What do you mean, slr?" she demand
ed imperiously,
A crafty smile played over the face Of
Mr. Edermont. and he shrugged his
shoulders. Wait till Allen comes; then
you may learn more than you care to lis
ten to. Now go to bed. BY the way,
what about your toothache?"
"Toothache."
"Joad said something about IT," was
! Edermonts impatient remark; you told
him that toothacho kept you awake at
night"
Very true. My nights have been sleep
! less for the last few weeks. I have heard
that dreary sounding chime in the hall
clock ring from midnight till dawn. But
my tooth is better tonight, thank you.
l have no pain, so there is every hope that
l shall have good nights rest"
Il am glad of that, my dear" said
Edermont, in a softer tone than was usual
with him. Il would be fond of you, Dora,
if you would let me. Remember all these
years 1 have stood in the place of a father
to you
II do not forget that, Mr.. Edermont."
answered Dora kindly; you have been
goodness itself. The parents l have lost
| could not have been kinder to me-
Perhaps not so kind" said Edermont
sitting on the chair in front of his desk
Il need not talk to you about your par
ents. Dora"
why not Mr.. Edermont? I should like
to know
"A great many things interrupted the
/ old man gloomily; but for reasons Of
my own, which you may learn some day.
/ l am not prepared TO crafty your curios-
/ ity: and after ALL" he added in u signiti-
/ cant tone, 1t would 90 you no good to
/ hear the story
1T would DO me this much good said
! Dora spiritedly; y should learn the obsta-
Gle which is u bar to my marriage with
I Allen"
, What would be the use Of you knowing
/ the obstacle, Dora? You will never get
rid of it-take my word for that. Now
goodnight"
/ Goodnight replied Dora, thinking 1t
useless to argue further.
Il think you might kiss me before you
60" grumbled Edermont. Il stand IN the
place of your father
Without a word Dora returned and
touched the forehead of the old man with
her fresh young lips. As she passed
through the door, a glance back Showed
her picture which never LETT her memory
in after life Edermcnt his noble head
4 with its white hair leaning on his hand
sat by the bureau in gloomy thought. y
! single candle served rather 10 shew than
to dispel the darkness; and in the gulf or
pale glimmer followed out Of the gloom
the man looked like some famous portrait
by an Old Master The burden Of years
was visible in his silvery hair and sweep
ing beard of snow; the burden Of sorrow
marked itself in the hollow eyes, the
wrinkled cheek and forehead, the wasted
hands. He looked the incarnation of old
/ as seen in that spectral light in that tene-
brous atmosphere. Dora never forgot that
sight
once in her room. she lost no time in
getting 10 bed Her sleepiess nights OF the
past week had worn her out; and now that
the pain had left her tooth, she was glad
to take advantage Of the respite. At first
she thought about her guardian and his
untold miseries; afterwards af Aliens
/ strange behaviour; lastly her thoughts
wondered to Joads sly looks, and limited
/ terrors. until sleep rolled like a wave over
her weary brain, and she became oblivi-
Gus of the material world. Nature re-
venged herself for many vigils, and sooth-
ed her into sound slumber.
How long she had been asleep she did
not know, but suddenly, for some mex
/ plicable reason, she woke with start,
and sat up in bed, her nerves strung TO
their utmost tension, faculties all on alert.
/ 1t seemed to her that she had heard a
muffled cry for help, a wild appeal for
mercy; but now that she was listening
with all her will. she could hear nothing.
/ All was dark and quiet; not sound broke
! the silence of the still night. After mo-
ment or two. Dora believed that she had
mistaken a dream for a reality, and laugh
ing softly at her own folly, lay down again
to sleep. As her head touched the pillow,
the deep bell of the hall clock chimed
"onc." Remembering how often she had
heard those dreary tones in the past week,
Dora smiled drowsily to herself, and was
soon fast asleep again. When she again
awoke it was dawn.
, Someone was knocking furiously at the
door of the bedroom. Dora leaped out Of
her bed unlocked it. and flung it wide
open. Meg Canoe, the cook, stood shak-
ing on the threshold, as pale as a ghost.
Miss Dora! o Lord, miss gasped the
terrified woman, the master is-is-is
dead"
.Dead?' replied Dora, in a dazed tone.
Murdered. And his head! o, Lord!
It's Dashed in like a pumpkin
CTo be Continued.