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

! truth. Yet. / meant no harm, and | have
| only succeeded in harming myself and
dear Jim. How shall 1 exist when he is
gone? How will it all end? l rust be
| brave and tell out the whole truth; not
shirk away like a coward, now my time
is nearly up, as I would give anything to
do. Above all. must persuade Jim l am
not worth loving. 1t will be hard to do
that"
A long, passionate fit of crying left
her thoroughly exhausted, and she
crept to bed.
The next morning, a message reached
Lady Pettigrew: Miss Cathcarts love,
my lady she has bad headache. and
would like her breakfast up stairs
We'll, I do declare, young people
nowadays are poor things. When l
was young began her Ladyship-but
a kind of roar from the General in
terrupted her.
by Jupiter that painter fellow has
played into cur hands first rate, and
finished HIMSELF Listen to this. 1t
is from Crawley's manager:
Sir: The son of our Mr.. Stubs,
the junior partner of the firm, has just
returned from his holiday trip to
Brittany, where he met an artist whose
name is Valentine Harris. The name
struck Mr.. Stubs, who inquired about
him, and found he is travelling with
lady of considerable personal at
traction, who passes as Mrs. Harris.
I should be glad to see you and discuss
what steps should be taken under
these circumstances.
What do you say to that, Araminta?
It will be a sumner for poor Ella
Il don't see what else she could ex-
pect, and | must say her obstinacy de-
serves"
Come, come, don't be ill-natured.
Here, ring for Toosey. | want some
telegraph forms. Now is the time for
jim Houston to strike home
1T seems TO me he has struck home
long ago What's your other letter.
oh. It's from Hastings. He is up
in town, on his way to India, and wants
TO dine here to-day Says he hears my
charming ward is staying with us.
| Hopes she does not quite forget him.
He met her at some garden party near
Torquay. l do not want him phil
ton Court-only it was so delightful. Why
andering here. He is a regular lady
killer, you know" said the General.
who had put on his 'pince nez,' and
was scribbling a telegram TO Houston,
Charing Cross Hotel
Want to see you. Come as soon as
possible"
There, get that off as soon as you
can, Toosey;" this to his grim soldier
servant. And Araminta, just go and
ask Ella to come down as soon as she
can. l must break this news to her
myself"
why, Sandy, for the matter of that,
am the proper person to do it.
"You-No. by George. You'd enjoy
the operation a good deal too keenly.
| don't know why it is, but you have
an enmity to that bonnie lass, and that
| is unaccountable. She's a douce grille,
and | have gained a remarkable infiu-
ence over her This business will be
a shock to her, but she'll hear reason
/ from me-
Guide preserve us! but you are just
/ daft about that girl Sandy
The General, however. was to busy
inditing a polite invitation to Captain
Hastings. an Indian acquaintance to
| heed her
Miss Cathcart obeyed her guardians
summons sooner than he expected.
you want me, General
yes, my dear. Sit down, I---hem-I
have some rather unpleasant news.
But"
"Oh-what is it? Has jim
mo. You need not distress yourself
it does not concern him at all. It's
about that fellow Harris, who is turn
ing out just as I anticipated
How so?"
"He has gone and married some
woman, or pretends he has, and is
travelling about with her openly in
Brittany"
His hearer gazed at him with what
| seemed like wild amazement. She
flushed rosy red-she grew white as
paper. then, to his dismay, she burst
out laughing. and crying all in one.
God bless my soul" cried the Gen
/ eral. much alarmed. "she is hysterical,
and he rang the bell furiously. Keep
calm. my dear child, keep calm. The
fellow isn't worth all this fuster. Here
| Toosey. call Lady Pettigrew, and Susan
bring some cold water-a big jug
| full"
you are not going TO throw cold
water over my prettiest morning dress,
! General" cried the young lady, sud
denly restored to comparative COM
posture. do listen to me. l cannot
believe this extraordinary story. Give
me leave to write to Val. l shall be-
| lieve what he tells me, and l have
! never written him line since | came
! into your house. Let me write now.
well. but how do you know If he'll
! get your letter."
"Oh. letters addressed to his studio
always reach him"
Pray, how do you know that
asked Lady Psttigrew sharply; Il
thought you held no communication
with him
NO. do not; but, of course, when
we parted he told me how letter
would reach him.
well. / will agree to it this once, but
( must see the letter" said General Mac
/ Intyre.
Yes" after n moments hesitation
you shall see it. I'll sit down and write
/ # at once" said Miss Cathcart.
In very few minutes she handed the
! following TO her guardian:
"A strange report has reached me that
Won are married-and travelling in Brittany
with your wife. Answer at once, yes or
no. Ella Cathcart.
ITO be Continued