Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-09

his Old ploee.
~H6 thought II would Be best to take
me to All hotel for Z few days, and he
would send the lady who was original
ly to have been engaged as my com
panion, to be with me. Then he would
have time to look about for another
house; and as there were usually plenty
of people who wished to let for the sea-
son, he would probably be able to get
exactly what he wanted with a very
short delay.
Then he said that he hoped would
not mind a little notoriety, and being
stared at a good deal. He could not
quite protect me from that, nor could
| the Mrs. Norton who would chaperon
me; for as soon as it got out that Miss
Lance Seaford had not been drowned
but was alive and well in England,
should be fairly .mobbed, until people
! had another sensation, and forgot me-
81 felt should not like that, and told
my uncle so; but the only way to avoid
the annoyance which he could suggest
was to let no one know who was until
he had secured his house. and could
take me to live with him.
Il agreed at once, thinking it, as he
did, quite the best plan, as must go TO
an hotel. We decided that | should be
a Miss Brown, from India, for the pres
ent; and then, as soon as he had sent
telegram to Mrs. Norton (who is the
widow of an old friend of his) we had
dinner together, arranging everything
as We dined.
'In an hour, Mrs. Norton had arrived.
My uncle saw her alone for moment
or two first, to prepare her mind for
the surprise, for he explained that she
was rather a nervous woman, and had
mysteries sometimes if she received a
sudden shock.
Presently he brought her to me,
however, and she was charming wo-
man, quite handsome, and not really
old at all, though had fancied that she
would be. She said the kindest things
and it was so long since l had been
petted or made much of that l couldn't
help liking her.
''She and | went that very night to
the Hotel Cecil, where we had delight
full rooms, opening out of one another
Next morning we went shopping, and
my only grief was that she would not
let me buy black frocks. She said that
it would make my uncle so sad; he had
such an intense dislike for mourning;
and as knew father had not cared for
it either, | gave up to her at last. she
bought ms a great many pretty things
and took me about with her, to show
me some of the, sights Of London. Ev'
cry evening nay uncle dined with us.
and told us particulars of charming
house in Portland place, which he hoped
to get. and which would be ready for
Mrs. Norton and me to see very shortly.
Il think it can only have been three
days ago, though it seems years, that
a telegram came from my uncle, in the
afternoon, soon after lunch, to say that
we were to drive up to the house in
Portland place, and meet him there.
Mrs. Norton had been half i'll with
headache since the morning, yet she
was determined to go, and so we start
ed. But we had not gone far from the
hotel when she almost tainted in the
cab. and we had to turn back. | went
in with her, and helped her to her
room. and after she had had cup of
tea. she insisted on trying again. When
| refused to let her do it she almost
cried. and said my uncle would be dis
appointed, so that l told her l would
go alone.
"At first she would not hear Of this,
but at last, when she found | was de-
termined, she had to yield. | ran down
stairs, found several hansoms near the
door. chose the best-looking one, and
drove off, telling the man the number
of the house in Portland place.
"Of course, l knew nothing of Lon