Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-04

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with = rope OF pearls. and the delicate
folds OF chiffon belted in with jewels
at her girlish waist
Her head was turned aside and
slightly bent, a light from above
streaming down on her uncovered hair,
and Transforming the copper into gold.
Sir Walter and Lady Tressidy were
close by-not six feet away-and all
were evidently waiting for someone
Carson Wildred. no doubt, I bitterly
told myself.
None Of the party had as yet seen
me. Sir Walter and his wife were
talking very earnestly together, and
had perhaps moved few steps from
the young girl that their words might
not be overheard by her.
l knew that, if l were wise, would
at once take myself off without an
nouncing my presence, but a sudden
impulse seized and overmastered me.
1t was desperate one, doubtless, but
none the less alluring and powerful be-
cause of that.
CHAPTER X
IF HE HAD COMMITTED A CRIME?"
karine stood, as l said, perhaps a cou-
pie of yards distant from her friends, and
their backs, at the present moment. were
more than half turned to her. 1t would
be just possible for me to speak TO her,
without being observed by them. if / We're
both extraordinarily cautious and lucky
At any moment Wildred who had per-
haps gone to rectify some vexatious mis-
take about a table, might return. If |
meant to take the step at all there was
no time TO be lost in doing So
Without giving myself second for fur
Their reflection. and with the blood surging
in my temples. 1 found myself. with a
few strides, beside her. Mudstained boots
and trousers were forgotten. would
waste no time in apologizing for my APP
pearance.
What she must have thought of my
pale and eager face suddenly bent over, I
do not know. / felt that great crisis
in my life, perhaps in hers as we'll had
arrived, and my eyes must have shown
something of that which stirred so pas
sonately in mind and heart, for she
started with look almost of fear as she
saw and recognized me.
She uttered no exclamation, however If
she had Sir Walter and Lady Tressidy
would have heard ana looked around, and
my one chance, so desperately snatched
from Fate, would have been gone like a
bubble that bursts ere it has fairly eX-
banded
Without ore spoken word 1 made her
see that she must come with me, and the
quick realization of my power over her
as she laid her hand upon my arm unhes-
itatingly, thrilled me to the very core of
my being.
Most women would have refused TO
come or at least questioned my sudden
appearance and intention, but not so with
her. She knew that l had something to
say to her which must be said, and it was
her will to hear it.
She had been as pale as a statue Ct
marble, as she stood leaning listlessly
against the wall in her white dress. but
as she moved away with me life and color
came back to her face.
1 led her down the hall to a small pub
lie drawing room, and not once did she
hesitate or look back unconventional as
was the adventure in which she was en-
gagged
Luckily the place was empty, save for
two elderly Frenchwomen, who gossped
and gabbied with their heads close to-
gether on sofa in corner.
what is it-oh, what is it?' questioned
Karine. Quick! there will only re a
ronmHnt 7 know '1aN will
have gone and will soon find me here
Without any preface | came straight to
the asking of the bald, crude question
which was in my mind TO ask.
For the sake of-our friendship, Miss
Cunningham, forgive Inc, and tell me
whether you love Carson Wildred?"
She started and quivered almost as
though 1 had struck her a blow, and her
large, frightened eyes studied mine for a
long second withoutu answering Then
she said simply, mo, my friend. l do
not-love him"
Yet you have promised TO marry him."
Yes"
And YOU mean to carry out that prom
ise?"
Yes. unless
a UNLESS what?"
oOu6LHiIlS- "opens 10 prevent me.
IF you do not love him something shall
prevent. Let me help you. For heaven S
sake, let me! Only give me an idea how
it can best be done-I ask no more l will
teach you what such a--friendship as
mine can have the power to do"
/ hoped to give her courage by the pas
sion and force of my words, but strange
ly enough, the bright eagerness died out
of her face as l spoke. In some way
had missed saying the thing which might
have comforted her If | had only known
if l had only known.
You are very kind" she said gently
and sadly Il am not looking forward to
any great degree of happiness in my life
but l daresay, after all, I shall get on as
we'll as most women. / don't think any
thing will happen to prevent-what we
were speaking off,
Why is it to come so soon, then?'
questioned impetuously.
In six weeks. 1t was all arranged
to-day soft little sigh at the end
of her sentence.
Tell ne this: Are you in any way be-
ing forced into the marriage7'
Not by people-exactly. Only by cir
cumstances IL can't tell you any more
though. believe me, 1 am grateful for all
you mean, and all you would do for
friendships sake" These seemed a faint
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