Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-08

uDHt-
L don't see how you could very
well do anything else, l said, echoing
Lydia. do you think ne is very much
in lover l asked.
What do you think?" she asked.
DO you think when | see him to-
morrow he Will want to kiss me?"
stammered.
4 should think So" said mamma.
When must il be-the ceremony
l asked
oh, l don't know! You are rather
premature. my dear
What shall l choose for my dress? -
asked, presently.
Il am sure l don't know, dear.
haven't given it a thought as yet.
H m! white corded silk would look
nice," I said, musingly.
What did you say?' asked mamma,
abstraetedly. White? Yes, white al
ways suits you admirably. My dear
girl, just look at the time!" she ex-
claimed the next moment. as she rose
to 90. Il had no idea it was so late.
Upon her leaving the room | arose
and flinging myself on the hearth rug,
sobbed for an hour. "Oh. Tom-Tom!
l don't think I can bear it" cried.
In time | grew calmer. "A pretty
object l shall look tomorrow" 1
thought, as l caught sight of my reflec-
ton in mirror.
l bathed my eyes and felt better.
Then / thought of what Lydia had said
about the bills. ~
&. ffo,. oil ,oGocfoI ~.
later, should have had to choose some
one. | can't teach or write, or do any
thing TO earn my living; and it would
have been very selfish of me to have
married Tom. One must face facts.
Mamma cant live forever, and when
she dies l shall be alone in the world
without enough to live on.
Oh, why wasn't l taught to do some
thing like other girls are, Unless l
marry someone l must starve. Well. it
is all their fault; they have driven me
to it.
II.
If you please, miss, Sir George is in
the drawing room.
Very we'll; l shall be down pres
emily" l replied.
1t won't hurt him TO wait bit"
thought. and | won't try to look the
least bit NICE" SO | changed my pref
ty morning gown for plain black
dress.
On my way down | met mamma COM
ing up stairs; she looked rather fur
ried and her cheeks were red.
Nora, darling she said, hesitating-
ly. you'll be nice TO him. won't you?
Are you quite sure that
"All right" said, brushing past and
entering the drawing room.
Sir George came forward hastily to
meet me.
Your mother has told you that"
yes"
IT am indeed 8 lucky fellow" said
Sir George, laughing. Selling my hand
and gently drawing me into chair be-
side him.
so you are not going to be angry
with me for"
"Of course not. Oh. do look at that
naughty puppy-he is tearing up the
hyacinth beds"
Sir George came up and locked over
my shoulder. and taking my hand he
DO you know. Nora he said, you
are the dearest little girl I've ever
metz"
Now that kiss is coming!" I
thought, and with sudden gesture OF
impotence l drew myself away.
Sir George colored and sat down.
There was silence. Then he said:
"Of course shall try TO carry out your
wishes as far as possible with regard to
our future household arrangements.
If there is anything you wish particu-
larry to have done, you must tell me,
my dear"
Thank YOU" replied. "You are
very good
Your mother has told you, | sup
pose. that wish the marriage TO take
place soon" he continued. There is
no need to delay it, and l don't approve
of long engagements. You have no OBJ
jeCtiOns, | suppose!
NO" stammered feebly.
Sir George toyed with his watch chain
and fldgeted uneasily in his chair, then
strobe to the window and looked out.
I could not help feeling sorry for him
he looked so i'll at ease. l felt that
I had treated him rather badly.
1T is q lovely day, isn't it,
Yes. delightful. And we are friends
again?" said Sir George, looking around
at me with frank smile.
"Of course we are" replied, laugh
ing nervously.
"That is right he exclaimed, as he
left the window and walked towards
me.
Nov it is really coming" l thought.
and l felt myself turning the color Of
4 penny.
1T is not unusual, l believe, to seal
a compact of friendship with kiss,
he said. STOPPING suddenly he brush
ed my forehead with his mustache.
oh. l cannot stand this any longer,
| said to myself, as thought OF Tom.
How very stupid Of me- l exclaim-
ed. Il must have dropped my pocket
handkerchief somewhere. If you'll ex-
cuse me a moment I'll go and fetch 1t.
Sir George sprang forward 10 open
the door for me.
AS | rushed down the passage lead
ing to my room l ran almost INTO the
arms of the housemald.
..NTow or never | exclaimed, diving
into nv room for my letters to Tom.
I'm afraid it is rather a horrid letter;
wish | had written it differently 1
reflected. "Oh. why did l let Lydia
dictate ii to me? And can't remember
now what | wrote.
Jane" 1 said, post this letter for
me at once, please.
| gave it 10 her, then sat down ana
tried TO collect my thoughts. won
dered what | should feel like if were
e,,ddorIv 10 hear that Tom was engag-