West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-07-01
MR. NTCKS.
CHAPTER I.

Him puzzled, and I don't think mo Is
hboly TO find out, unless. OF course,
certain little chatterbox tolls him "
The speaker, Miss Matilda Chorry-
ton, "a round faced. smiling old lady,
who seemed 20 iud life very smooth
and pleasant, looked across tho lunch
con table ut her charge, pretty girl Of
II. whose father, her only relation, was
absent in India.
To make mysteries ont az everyday
occurrences was a little weakness of
Miss Cherryton's, ard the present cp-
portunity seemed 20 her too good 20 be
lost
''Do you thin, Mr.. Wicks viii havc
changed muchl" asked Sylvia. but
of course he won't. It's only a month
since last saw him. 1t seemed 40 much
longer"
'Do you find it SO very dull. Sylvia.
In this rambling old placer" asked Miss
Cheryton anxiously.
NO no. How thoughtless OF me 10
have made you think thati Why. it's
delightful here. and 1 am perfectly
happy"
And Sylvia laughed joyous littlo
iaugh.
what time does Mr. WicEs come
hlss Cherryton?" she presently asked.
AT 8 o'clock, just in time for ten.
But hero comes Jack, and 1 give you
full leave, Sylvia, 10 puzzle him about
Mr.. Wicks TO your hearts content"
Jack strOllcd ia TO luncheon full q
apologies and golf records, and after lie
had expatiated for considerable time
on the virtues Of his club and the con-
dition Of the ground Miss Cherryton
preached the subject Of Mir Wicks.
Sylvia has friend coming hero"
she began. He is also friend Of
mine, and think you will like him. "
WHO is heg' asked Jack, not feeling
particularly pleased to hear of this
friend.
"Ho is a Mr.. wioks," replied Miss
Cherryton
"And, " added Sylvia. Tho is extromo-
ly amusing"
Jack became thoughtful at this mo-
ment and locked out Of the window
and presently asked:
what is he like, aunt, and what
does he do to lie so amusing? Idon't re-
member the name at all. "
"You mustn't Dc too induisitiye,
Jack, bat this much viii tell you, he
is young and handsome. "
'Oh, indeed; young and handsome
and extremely amusing. What an enviG-
bic young man" aud jacks lip curled
slightly.
Miss Cherryton ana were going TO
meet him at the station, " said sylvia,
blushing a little--Jack noticed the
blush-"but. after all, we are going TO
stay at home. You know, Mr. Wicks is
rather an important parsonage, and Miss
Cherryton thought she would rather be
here to receive him "
Docs he hunt, play golf or shoot?'
asked Jack, hoping that these accom-
plishIDents did not belong 20 Mr.. Wicks.
None Of them, replied Sylvia,
with gay little shake OF her head.
lie has lived in town most OF his life.
but he IL quite clever enough to have
learned thom all, and Sylvia blushod
again.
Jack began quite to dislike this I'M
known Mr. Wicks. 1t was Nh unreason-
Ing, indescribable antipathy, but IL ex-
listed nevertheless, and during tho rest
OF luncheon he was very silent ana
monosylIabio.
But Miss Cherryton and Sylvia kept
up lively conversation between them
selves.
Jack, I've addressed you twice.
Where arc your thoughts. my boy?"
II do believe he was thinking of Mr..
WicSs, suggested Sylvia.
Exactly" said Jack, waking from
los reverio with start
u-laF r-,r 90 IL --~..r1
Jet james fetch my jewels from the
bank, " continued Miss Cherryton.
Perfectly, " replied Jack, aud then.
asking TO be excused, loft the table.
Miss Cberryton was disappointed.
She would have liked Jack to have a. K
ed a host Of questions about Mr. Wicks.
Jack, Jack, she called after him.
you havo not asked where Mr. Wicks
lives.
Jack turned around. t1gged at his
mustache and said. emo. aunt. q" then
said something beneath his breath. and.
striding ont Of the house, no sought ref
ugc at the golf linka
lie drew ont from bis golf bog the
heaviest driver be possessed aud drove
the ball az % had never been driven boz
fore. He vented all his I'll feeling upon
That ball, and between the hits burst
tut into short sentences:
'Wicks What auamel WHY didu't
Aunt Matilda tell mo more? Pooh, can't
play golf; handsome, don't believe 30. %
and again tho ball shot across tho fields
Now Ill 90 home, he exclaimed
almost sayagoly, land csc this follow
Wicks."
Tie was just passing the stables when
There was e sound OK carriage vberIs
and q clatIer If ho0fs, and chen tho
dcgcart dashed around the corner into
the stable yard at o. hard gallon. and
'he hore, finding itseif 80 home. stop
pa af ued uly as 30 bad arrived. cau4-
ing sp~ls .D Gy from CO.. rrYI' tones.
ihc dogs from their kennels aud Che
grooln8 tr.m tne Ha9Ie- Iaei. was 4.
general upfaa-
but ~. -ar.art wa quite rm-ty.
II is tho Ura y.ct.d thataivay. tat--
place, aHl IH.a .ss .l completely l--
Irtd at ..a Do. lt.... 5. thr c.r-
faan t.at rtf.d agau 90 81. -artg
-ts. N.t "a. eH only a to tla.
I. ua a.l dorm t..
tI.. .r H..l "a r.upl ~ g.u.fae
90 hnr Z. t ua... from i4. ~ Side.
3Au D.a fh. situation.
Joy J.. ...l thrown out. .r marc
frIf.. H.r.. I.......f -.u .-.....-