Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-09

Il beg your pardon" he said very
quietly. and holding out his hand.
But now you know why l hate wo-
men
Ii was on the tip of Charities tongue
to pursue the subject and ask his friend
why he tarred all the sex alike, but
perhaps Lamont guessed his purpose,
for he moved briskly toward the fire.
place. saying in a light tone
MY dear fellow, l must be off. it's
past two o'clock. Well, just one more
short drink.
His eyes wandered carelessly among
the score of photos that Uttered the
mantelpiece, in company with invita-
tion cards, cigars, gloves and bric-a-
brac.
by the by, what is the name OF your
future-wife?'
He spoke very slowly and drew
breath almost between each word.
"Oreacia Dulverton. You'll find her
photo somewhere there, in evening
dress and some flowers in her hand.
muttered Charlie, wrestling desperate
" with an obstinate bottle of soda.
Ralph Lamonts fingers seemed by
instinct to pick out the picture OF Miss
DulvertOn.
she?" gasped Charlie, coming up, pant
ing but triumphant, with his guests
drink in his hand.
Lamont took a long look at the pho
tograph. which was a vision Of soft
curls wide, sweet eyes, tremulous
rosebud mouth and a glorious throat
and bust.
Miss Dulverton must be very beau
tiful." he said, laying the portrait down
again. MY drink; don't think l want
il. after all, thanks. Good night. We
shall meet in the park tomorrow, as
usual"
"How queer dear old Lamont was to-
night" thought Charlie a moment la
ter as he set the untasted b. and s. down
on the table. Il wonder whether he's
omit right. I've always heard that
there was something wrong with MS
brother, Jerry; he shot himself or some
thing. but Lamont's always been as
steady as Father Time
A week later snort society had new
sensation, and, as usual, a man and
woman were at the bottom of it. The
woman in question was the lovely ore
acia Dulverton, the bride-elect OF the
rich Young Charlie Marten, and the
nan-wonders would never cease-Was
Major Lamont, whom all the women
had been trying to subjugate for years
in vain. and who-and here came IN the
snice Of the whole affair-was known
to be Charlie Martens greatest friend.
Al first whether in the park or at Hur-
lingham or the lawn AT Ascot or IN the
hall rooms of Mayfair, the party was al
WAYS q trois. But as the days and nights
Of the London season whirled by watchful
eyes noted that Miss Dulverton's softest
elances crossed her lovers lowering face
N lose themselves in Lamonts eyes; that
no valsed with her twice 10 Charles once;
thai he piloted her across the row. and
pulled her chair beneath the shadow of
her sunshade on the hot afternoons in the
pa.k.
For n fortnight society wondered and
whispered and then began to talk aloud.
Major Lamont and Miss Dulverton had
been recognized punting alone at Maiden
head they had been seen lunchinG in
tender tete-a-tete at Richmond. and then,
emboldened by success. rumor shrieked
about a box at the Empire and supper at
the Savoy.
1t was this last cutlery that reused Char
lie Marten to action. and one afternoon
in the club he cut Lamont before twenty
men. He was too young and too rhiVal-
rous TO carry Islander and doubt into the