Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-04-18
BETRAYED BY A KISS.

cheer has gone out through the whole
world. Bayview was much the finest.
Living. as its name indicated. in full
view Of the Chesapeake. E-ith wide ex-
tent Of lawn sloping down to the clear
water bordered with smooth yellow sand,
Swallowed by magnolias whose glossy
! leaves made q perpetual verdant shade,
/ approached by road fringed with ever
| greens. the wild Southern winter never
set its mark OF decay and death upon the
| grounds surrounding Bayview.
! Roses doomed and the hooking bird
I thrilled it's many cadenced song the
whole year through Many q night the
! sound Of music and laughter, and happy
voices in gay converse had foated out
through the tall windows, and light had
/ streamed across the lawn. and mirth and
I pleasure had held full sway over the light
hearted jewellers; but never in all the
uerry-makIngs that preceded IT, had the
tide Of gayety swelled as high as on this
I bright June evening when the mansion
was all one glow of light. and Maud.
/ Col Dumon-'s only daughter, made her
debut in society. Il was her eighteenth
birthday. Beautiful. accomplished and
| graceful she moved among the crowd of
guests who offered congratulations and
best wishes for the happiness of the
young debutan,e. like a vision of beauty
and loneliness. Plainly attired in white,
! as bedttted her gir.ish face and figure.
with pearls in her abundant brown hair.
q glad light in her eyes. and bewildering
| smile upon her ruby lips, she was eX-
| ceedingly lovely.
her complexion was as delicate as the
petals of the white rose. and a tint like
thar which tinges the inner surface of a
seasheu coiored her rounded cheeks.
| Lithesome as a fairy she moved from room
To- room. q throng of eager worshippers
attending her footsteps. each one ready
20 spring 10 DO her Hghtest bidding.
Yes. Bayview was q charming place,
Colonel Dumont a generous host. and
Hiss Maud the lovelest girl in the Old
/ Dominion.
/ So thought Duke Adair first lieutenant
on board the United States steamer Siren.
lying a- anchor in Hampton Roads Lieu>
tenant Adair had met Maude Dumont
frequently within the past few months,
but never had she appeared so enchant-
iuS i'm his eyes as upon this night.
Duke was "a brave. stalwart fellow. OF
noble bearing and pleasing address. and
I'M his handsome uniform as lieutenant
I'm the navy. looked every inch q soldier
and o. gentleman.
The hewiderirg strains Of a waltz rang
oUt at this moment. and Duke, remem-
( hering with proud satisfaction. that he
had engaged Mauds hand for the dance.
stepped forward TO claim the fulfill
meut Of her promise and proudly bore
her on from the little group Of admirers.
lie was proud of her beauty she laid her
hand upon his arm. glad 20 think. with
a pleased consciousness Of his own fine
form and handsome military dress. that
the prcttiest girl in the room was besidt
tim. He liked TO appropriate her. 10 car
~ her away from the rest of her ad-
I mirers. 20 bend above her as though
offering homage that no other ear might
hear TO carry her fan. or bouquet. and to
be. TO all appearances her willing slave.
Apparently. Lieutenant Adair was very
much In love with Maud
Whispers to that effect ran around the
room; envious g,ances were directed
toward the Sourg Lieutenant. glances Of
which he was fully conscious and which
he rather enjoyed. He was provokingly
cool and clear-Sishted and beneath the
show of devotion. he was studying the
changes i'm the fair face beside him,
taking note OF its quick play of feeling
of the different shades Of expression that
swept across it. each more charming than
the last.
And Maud chatted and laughed, and
was unfeiguedly glad of the handsome
lieuteuants attentions. and did not stop
TO think how much or how little they
might mean.
chad YOU studied the best mode TO rem
der our parting from friends and home as
difficult as possible YOU could not have
succeeded more effectually." said Adair.
IN soft. persuasive accents. I shall 90
away feeling that I have left behind me
an that Is bright and alluring: and in my
long joUrneyincs beneath foreign skies.
shall look back 20 this night as travellers
thirstug i'm the desert. look back TO some
green oasis long passed. I assure you,
Miss Maud nothing can rob me of the
memory of this delightful evening. For
us soldiers Of fortune. sent hitler and
thither ~ the call of duty. scarce know
ing what day may bring forth. such
scenes hold a charm whose influence re-
mains with us long after the event is
passed Ours is a hard Fate; do you not
think SOP"
ION the contrary" said Maud. gayly.
Il quite envy YOU the privilege of cruis-
ing about from ocean TO ocean. now in
This zone. now in that touching at places
the rest of us may never see, familiarizing
Yourself with all countries and people; I
think I should enjoy such life"
yes" with an iadulgent smile. you
would enjoy. but YOU would C1so tire of it,
With war and the prospect Of meeting an
enemy before one. it is glorious; but in
these peaceful DAYS there IS nothing TO
stir ones blood into active circulation"
60 Lieutenant Adalr," cried Maud.
sbuddering. don't speak Of war. Haven't
we seen enough of that TO last forever?
I am sure I never want to hear the word
mentioned again."
BUT Adair. gazing down upon her,
seemed to assure her that he would be
only too glad TO proceed that moment to
the deadly fray. provided the prize for
which he was to contend was her own
self. His eyes looked it, but his lips
merely gave utterauce to some light COM
monpIace. and then he waltzed again with
Maud. and felt. while guiding her airy
footsteps. that he could be content to go
on forever with her supple form clasped
I 90 d