Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

1u06CO!
There was another pause. Mrs. Hick-
mans mind was busy with the past,
and st. Clare Carew was wondering
why his life looked so unsatisfactory
all at once.
"Well, well. how time fiies!" said
Mrs. Hickman at last. "Thirty years!
And how quickly they seem to have
gone. So many things have happened!
Let me see, whose death did l see the
other day? Oh, Mr.. Broadbent's. You
remember him, don't you?"
"Broadbent? Yes, he
"He was correspondent in that case
about Mrs Wycherly. You remember
Mrs. Wycherly?"
He nodded. He remembered her very
we'll indeed. In fact, it had always
been a matter Of surprise and self con-
graduation to him that he had con-
trived to escape standing in Broad
bent's shoes.
well, he is dead" went on Mrs.
Hickman, 'and Mrs. Wycherly'-
did he marry herr"
ooh, dear no! She married some one
else"
Good gracious!"
eyes, they say he broke his heart
over it. He was really fond of her,
and he had given up everything for
her. And do you remember little Mon
tague?"
"Yes."
"Why, of course you dol" laughing
and tapping him on the arm with her
cardcase. "You had so many, eh?"
He grinned uncomfortably. 81 don't
remember that 1 had. You see, you
were the one"
She laughed with intense enjoyment,
her fat face growing purple with the
exertion. He watched her. Really, af-
ter all, he was glad he had not married
her.
"Ah, that's all very well, all very well,
but remember a good many" she
said, shaking her head at him
There, I've no doubt you have mixed
them all up together. Let me see
who else is there who knew"
SIT. Clare mentioned few names,
and they talked on for some time.
Then suddenly Mrs. Hickman said,
But I do wonder you never married"
He laughed. Why did you marry
Hickman"
She tapped him again with her card
case. Dear, dear, you are as bal as
ever-not a bit improved. Well, there
no accounting for these things. Still
| do wonder at it. | always fel: GER
tain you would, you know" She did
not add that, in common with all his
friends, she had always expected him
to be married by some woman wnom
she would not be able to recognize.
Still she could not avoid giving him
one little thrust.
you must have given up all thought
of such things long ago."
He began digging at the gravel with
his stick. Eyes, 1 suppose have" he
said, but l am very comfortable as
am, very. I go to the club good deal,
but l don't dine there often. Things
have changed of late years, and 1 don't
care for some of the new members. I
usually get home to dinner now. All
last winter l suffered with bronchitis,
so had to be home, and now l think l
prefer it. I don't care for going out
as I used
mo, | find that myself. There's no
shutting ones eyes to the fact that one
is getting old, is there? But I don't
think one enjoys ones self the less-I
am sure l am as cheerful as ever I was
but different things please one, you
know
He nodded assent.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Hickman, ris-
LIS, II ID SoC(tlheo lclIS- luuSJ D6 SO-
ing home. l am so glad to have met
you. 1t is nice to talk over old times.
You must come and see me- We are
in Mill street, No. 40. Can you come
on Tuesday? You will see my little
granddaughter if you do. She is the
sweetest, prettiest child you ever set
eyes on"
Certainly. l shall be delighted"
They separated, and St Clair watched
her portly form retreat into the dis
lance. She has grown very stout"
he reflected, trying to Danish the i'm
made by the meeting. There
is nothing ages one sooner than get
ting stout. l am glad l am thin"
He rose stiff1y. He must get home
or he would be late for dinner, and
Louisa made things uncomfortable if
he were not in time He went along
with his head bent, thinking moodily.
Hang it all That fat old woman had
made him feel almost miserable with
her jabber. So pretty Clara White had
a son in the army. She'd be a grand
mother npyt ha cIInDocaI And Mr-