davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27
would Your Exceency Like to Hear Us qerso.n?''

she rises from her seat, and sweeps out
of the room.
He is more than disappointed; stun
ned and speeches.. An answer evas-
ive-so unlike that he had reason to ex-
pect. He knows his sentence now
sure it will be refusal. And it will be
She, the proud, imperious beauty, in
his eyes armed with all authority. is
not likely to hold her happiness depen-
dent on the caprice of another-even
though it be her only parent. From
Mrs. Mainwaring herself he has no
hope. He has neer been her favourite,
while he knows Nigel Isl Has oft OBJ
served her preference for his brother
their natures being congenial.
Sure of having failed. he has risen
to his feet, drawn on his gloves. and
would instantly leave, but for the dis
courtesy Of going without bidding good
bye Chagrined as he is, and greatly
incensed, he is nevertheless too much
of gentleman TO make an exhibition
of his anger. Besides, it would but
further humiliate him. Better TO con-
ceal tiff he can. Is it visible in his
eountenance? To see whether 1t be he
approaches the mantle-mirror, which
brings before his face a folded sheet OF
paper-blue foolscap-with some round
hand writing upon it. This on its re-
verse, or back, but reflected in the glass
so as to be legible from the front. He
has no curiosity about the writing;
and would never have thought OF read
ing it. but for a name. conspicuously
superseribed. catching his eye. Cen
eral Harding"
~Ho. what's this?" he asks, reading
on: Last Will and Testament OF Cen
eral Harding. of Beechwood Park,
Bucks. Bless me. what can it mean
/ was not aware Of my father having
made his Will. Is it possible he has
done SO? And Of all other places. now
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27
!" .'The Rifle Ranger" The Scalp Hunter, sc.

tress of grand mansion, having car
riages to ride in. and no end of serv-
ants to wait on you. You'd prefer a
howell with only maid of all work, or
/ it might be a garnet without one. Think
of that, and don't suppose it either a
fanciful or overdrawn picture. It has
its original in the reality of everyday
life. All! it's had it in mine!"
Belle does think-of it; reflects on it.
and it makes powerful impression
upon her-all against Henry Harding.
He will be here soon,' she says.
las I've told you, mother, he intends
asking me. How ever shall I answer
him?"
Nothing easier There's no need
for you to give him a blunt negative.
Better let your answer be evasive. You
can refer him to me- 1 shall know
how to deal with him. But be sure you
don't let your feeling get the better of
YOU Bear this in mind!' she adds
holding up the WILL And to hinder
you from forgetting it, shall place it
here, where you'll have it before your
eyes,
Saying which she sticks the folded
foolscap into the frame of the mantel
mirror, where it shows conspicuously
against the glass.
AS she finishes adjusting it, a double
knock at the outside door announces
the arrival of visitor This time the
card brought in upon the tray bears
the name: Henry Harding"
CHAPTER Xxx.
MAKING A PROPOSAL.
Belle Mainwaring, seated upon a
couch, endeavors to compose herself
for the ominous interview. In vain.
Though the interval between the going
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

comes 1t to Be here! Surely may SCI
| the inside. As one interested witt
rights there can be no harm in M!
having look at It
While speaking, he lays. hold Of th'
sheet, and opening. hastily makes him
self master of its contents. After
which he is scarcely master of himself
His refolding the document and replac-
ing it on the mantel sheIf,are acts mere
ly mechanical. Now he not only knows
his rejection is sure, but the reason fol
it
Still further incensed, he determines
to take departure sans ceremonial, ant
with good manners disregarded. He is
on the eve of drawing open the door
when it is opened from the outside, and
lady steps into the room. Not she
who so late left it, but her mother.
In the cold glance and frigid features
Of Mrs Mainwaring he might read his
fate, were it not already known &c
him.
With bow and courtesy she begs
him to be seated. planting herself up
on the couch lately occupied by her
daughter.
NO, madam" he somewhat bluntly
replies: Il can hear what you have to
say standing"
She looks at him in surprise. She
was not prepared for tone,so indepen-
dent. What can it mean? Concealing
her astonishment, she says:
my daughter, Mr.. Harding, has told
me of the offer you made, but though
sensible of the great honor done her,
She must decline it. There are many
reasons why such an alliance, however
desirable for her, would be impolitic;
indeed, impossible. You must know,
Mr.. Harding, that by the sudden death
of my poor, dear husband we have been
left in somewhat straitened circum-
stances, and"
You have said enough, madam ex-
claims the rejected sutton, abruptly and
somewhat rudely interrupting her. i
don't wish to hear about your husband.
or the circumstances in which he has
left you. Allow me to bid you good
day."
And with a bow he passes from the
room leaving the lady in a state of
mingled anger and amazement.
He does not extend even the scant
courtesy of "good-day" to her daugh-
ter. Between him and Belle Mainwar-
ing there is now gulf never. to be
bridged over-not even to save his sad
heart from breaking.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

out of her mother and the coming in of
her lover is but few short seconds, 1t
seems to her an age. She is on the edge
of crisis, fraught with hfe's conse-
quences-about to speak word that
may doom her to lifelong misery.
And it is TO be spoken under restraint
against her inclination. For in truth
she loves Henry Harding. so far as such
heart can, and more than she herself
at that moment imagines. She may
learn it when too late. But even now
with her eyes upon that bit of blue
paper-its contents wildly before her
mind-with her mothers admonition
dilute about the answer she ought TO
give him She has a woman's heart
though not the purest or truest Such
part of it as is pure and true Henry
Harding has WON But alas, it is the
lesser and lighter portion; not enough
TO hold the scale against its grosser
UuutI lt-oS OfNA NNfei
And yet in that brief period of expec-
fancy the beam vibrates from the bal
ance; the nobler sentiment strives
against the meaner one; Love doing
battle with Ambition.
The conflict is short and soon over.
Love is vanquished and lies bleeding.
Cupidity has triumphed. Henry Hard
ings fate is sealed. Much as she loves
him, she will not be his wife.
Entering the room he stands bowling
before her
She returns the salute somewhat
awkwardly, without even inviting him
to be seated She is embarrassed 50
much as to make her forgetful of the
ordinary courtesies- But soon perceiy-
ing her delinquency, she motions him
to chair, which he takes.
Their preliminary exchanges of
speech are stiff and constrained-on
her side even more than his. since she
knows what 1t is all to end in.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

then sinks into a chair with sigh,
which tells less of dispair than bitter
disappointment.
For some moments Mrs. Mainwaring
remains silent. There must be a strug-
gle passing within her daughters breast,
and she gives it time to expend itself,
shrewdly surmising it win not be pro-
longed
Nor is it. Belle drops a tear or two
from her beautiful eyes, and though her
countenance does not instantly clear
up. as the sky after a summer shower,
there is an expression upon it that
seems TO promise it will not remain for
ever clouded, but in time RECEIVERS its
wonted brilliancy; aye, even its coquet-
tishness. Her mother anticipates this
change, and to hasten it says:
Cheer up, my child. You should be
only too thankful that we've learnt OF
all this-just in time to save you. But
for Mr. Violet you might have been
foolish enough to marry a man even
poorer than your father, and instead of
having to dye your silk dresses had
none such to dye. Now you know what
answer to give Mr.. Henry Harding"
On. its very vexatious. love him
indeed l do
"A little. perhaps. But you'll get
over it. Loves all very well in its way;
but it won't buy ball dresses or pay
butchers bills. The romance Of honey
suckle cottages, and all that sort of
thing. soon comes 10 an end-with the
honeymoon, if it ever lasted so long.
Besides, in your case there's no need
for any great change of programme.
It's only to transfer your affections,
still keeping them in the family. If
you must be Mrs Harding, be Mrs.
Nigel. know you can, if you play
your cards properly.
[ 20 mother! / dislike him as much
as like Henry"
THAT is you dislike being the-mis-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27
CHAPTER XXI.
A SOLDIERS APPETITE sPolLT.

A SOLDIERS APPETITE SPOlLT.
On this same day of varied events,
General Harding sits down TO dinner
more cheerful than Is his wont. lie
thinks he has done a neat thing. made
a strategic move, outfanking the enc
my, and sure to hold the latter In
check, for he is aware of what WOO ct
has done.
After returning from Ciaylield, he
took a seat in one Of his windows com
manding a view Of the road. and, with
telescope at intervals to his eye, set for
over an hour watching. He saw tho
lawyers bro'Igham go past his gates,
and back again just as he expected IL
would. Beyond doubt. the widow IS.
ere this, acquainted with the fact of his
having made VIII, told also It's terms.
therefore. 30 far, has his ruse succeed
ed, and he has little fear of future eyen-
Qualities In fact, 20 confident and con-
tented is he, that on taking his geat at
the table, and drawing his napkin over
his waistcoat front, he feels as one who
has done a good days work. and in
tends eating hearty dinner in accord
ance.
There's something In the air to-day
he says gleefuiiy. that's given me an
appetite. So. Rachel, serve out the
soup at the double quick. I'm anxious
to be at it."
There are four chairs around the Ia
bic. with covers 70 correspond, the US
ual number when, as on the occasion,
Beechwoods House has no guests.
That on the Generals right Is occupied
By his eldest son. the younger usually
sitting on his left, while Aunt Rachel
presides at the opposite end.
or the two sons only Nigel has taken
a seat at the table Henry's chair being
as yet empty. His sather takes no nc
tice OF this, supposing ne viii drop in
at any moment. He Is detained at bis
toilet, with that troublesome choker-
knot, or those still more troublesome
shirt tsnds; for, accustomed TO the dis
cipline OF regimentai mess, the old
soldier is rigorous in this respect. ami
rot only dresses for dinner himself, bat
requires his sons to do nkewise-com
Continued On tia EiftssHth Page
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

| He. hoping for the best, but still un-
certain, is anxious to arrive at the re-
suit; though not more than she for the
scene is painful, and she wishes to end
it at once With this view she is the
first to speak on the subject tactically,
as mutually. understood 10 be upper
most in the minds of BOTH She breaks
ground with the interrogatory remark.
You said something to me on Sun
day, Mr. Harding?s
II did,
IF / understood you Alright, you have
some serious communication to make.
I've been puzzling my poor brain to
think what it can be. May know
now?"
Not very encouraging speech for a
lover about to declare himself. Tone,
manner, matter, all the opposite. Mis-
ter Harding! Hitherto it has been
Henry" often coupled with express
sicns of familiarity if not endearment.
Why is she so distant now? He asks
himself the question, love stepping in
with a ready explanation. Incorrect,
nevertheless; since it is, that the occa-
sion may account or the cold formali-
ty of her manner
Viewing it in this light, he no long
err hesitates, but at once lays his heart
open before her, and tells the object of
his visit-in short, makes her an offer
of his hand And no roundabout or
ambiguous phrase, but briefly and
boldly, as loyal lovers should.
AS he kneels waiting her answer, he
little dreams it will be denial. How
could he?
s.Mr. Harding" she says, the mister"
sounding like death knell. you take
me by surprise" ooh! per-idious wo-
man!) 81 feel greatly honoured by
your proposal. But"
but what, Belle? You are not 60
ing to refuse me?"
"You forget that | am not my own
mistress. In matter of such moment,
there's another to be asked
Another! Who?"
Need l say, my mother"
"Ah! your mother!"
eyes. / should fail in filial duty
were | to decide so serious duty with
cut consulting her. If you'll excuse me
| will speak to her.
And without waiting for his answer,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

Certainly, yes. have an Office copy
besides. OF course, I need not request
iyou to keep the whole affair to yourself
/ that is, within your own family"
| "You need have no fear of that. At
ter the confidence you have placed in
me, to betray it would be poor return
on my part. But you've had a long
drive, and at an unusual hour. You've
lost your luncheon at home, suspect.
You'll take it here?"
Thank you, no. I've business in
town that calls me straight back
"a glass of sherry and a biscuit?
That won't detain you"
! "The sherry without the biscuit,
please. l can stay for that"
directed to bring in the wine, which she
does with due promptness, having only
to get the decanter and glass from the
dining table.
Drinking it Off at gulp, the lawyer
takes the hand graciously extended to
him, and after an exchange of glances
between him and the widow, mutual
ly significant as Ineligible, he makes
his way back to the brougham.
AS the wheels are heard rafting
down the street, Mrs. Mainwaring is
rejoined by her daughter from the din
ing-room.
You are pale, mother" remarks
belle, with an anxious air. What has
he been saying to your
|, Something that will make you pale,
itoo, if I mistake not Look at this. If
tyou marry Henry Harding you'll marry
IA pauper.."
The young lady takes the Will, al
3ready opened for her; scans it over and
sready opened for her, scans it over,
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27

SYNOPSIS ,oF PRECEDING CHAP
TERS-A yorthfuA Roman. revolution
airy follower Of MAzzin,i is being Led q 70 e
Guardioia. His frietldss in the crowd shout
70 him to make dsasf and escape There
is balloons prepar5ng &c asoen ~. ana aie
Follow the balloons u Min it descends. The
balloon descends IN thic q ana the ne
s Hunn Torresni, Of Val di orno near
Rome His father receives a letter from
him syng aa he aas ifT1yed N there Wah
aus 9al ao Ngel and Henry Harding sons
Of General Harding me nrst Isl h meane
i,is brother win ultimately share the prop
erty with him and, with the asastaTn nee, q
gamekeeper KNOWN ss g D TO- ,5gae p
Ivep rs influence with his father. Doggy
TicL who had ali one time been IN the
employ q Gsner h fatRer =
. ID i9sas 5,is situation with another gentle
man in consequence some TIME alter.
wards Henry, with'a cnnm a renente ID bv
nmgiIists GanS. there sees Doggy Dick with
ppgsnfieman. who looks strange to tne
Hha stranger ! n the act of being garrotted
Nv Doggy Dick. Thetwo brothers Harding
make peace, bit both are smtten Win an
atfachment for Va. Miss Mainwaring, daugn-
ter If a widow lady living near their
l,nnse The colonel has a great antipathy
girl and q t b marTv to her qislh Nge
81 ,.rias on his love-making secretly I'M
known to his ia Their. but Henry does fsa,,,l 1t
openly and ineurs his resentment and He9hr iy
"a 5ar finding tn ey are talked about,
/ h f this son with disinheritanee, and
consults Mr.. Woo. ct lawyer. II, re d a.
;nbaritins the Younger except for a legacy
of 9l,O0o: and. knowing the solicitor, t fas
sure that he will epmmunleate me da,1 nael
quietly to the widow lady ana hefs oausn-
The sun., 1899-12-16
WHO WILL SUCCEED PAYN7
NOT BFLIETED THhT ROOSETELT
WILL NAME A DEMOCRAT

/.
Plntt, odell and Rhode island Aidieh sur
prised That Philade'phie shouid nave
neeh CHOSEN as 'ns .
"ossp ABOUT
Senator Platt and Chairman odeii OF the He
publican Stnte Committee returned from
Washington last night and were at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. Speaker Nixon OF the Assem-
bly, Ia to be down here within twenty-four
hours. II wus said. and the fnal
touches to the Assembly chairmanships will
be made During the absence OF Mr. odell in
wo.hi,.,o a,orv UNA ster,ad IN tho
"as.'ne.on s'o'
nominated for vice-Ptesident and that Mr..
oIou 80 ., ,oro bIa nl,cs n. tho can.
o%'o' % M"9 '" '"he ~" Wv 90
didate for Governor OF the hepuDiican party OF
the State Of New York Mr.. Odel smiled last
night at inc report winch py tne way hao
never vet been printed in fair fashion.
no,,,,ra,,o ro,rs,nn.r nrin,od vos,ord.r
peWo'ra,,o s NV, nrsap ,pe, pou n'eu poe, ,ee'"y !,
s,ota s,,,o,,n,ondan, =, In.nr.no. IN n,oo.
ota'e ouperIhtehueht o' INSURANCE IN piaeo
OF Mr.. Payn. Gov. Rooseyelt's al
legged statement was based upon the
believed at the Fifth Avenue Hotel last night
that that Gov Roosevelt would take such extreme
steps
Senator Aldrich OF Rhode Island was at tho
- , NJ. n1
ana sena'or Platt ana Dir. odeii ana
all the other Republicans evinced the
The sun., 1899-12-16
COURT OF APPEALS ADJoURNs.
Holiday Recess to End on Jan. s-Decisions
Handed Down.


ALBANY, Dec. 1b.-The Court OF Appeals has
adjourned to Jan. y. 1900. on which day II will
convene IN Albany at2 o'clock In the afterno oon
to proceed with the call Of the present cal
endar.
Appenls from orders entitled TO be heard
under Rule XI should be noticed for Jan. y.
1900. Original motions. tina. is to say motions
which originate In the Court OF Appeals. may
be either argued orally or submitted on Jan.
y. and such motions may be submitted without
oral argument. on any Monday when the
court Is In session. Attention. OF attorneys ia
called by the Court to Bule VII. OF the Court OF
and briefs. which W il be STRICTLY enforced.
The court to-day handed down the following
decisions:
town and Ogdensburg Railroad Company
Motion to dismiss appeal granted unless ap-
pellnnt within twenty days iles and serves un-
d.Gtaklne required to perfect appeal and pays
The New YORK Life Insurance and Trust
Company appellant. VS.. characterization to
resettIc remtttiturs granted as TO application
spondent. " A: Mckenzie, against appellant.
a l. Schcrmerhorn. and denied as 10 the ap-
plication Of II. T. Prime tor a bill OF costa
Jones va De G"ursey. Appellant Judgment
affirmed with costs
In re estate OF Hodgmau-o Order affirmed
Hazlrton. Appellants. VS.. Webster: Lester
ys. New York city authorities. Appellant; |;
Hlnnshan. Appellant, vs. Russell and a n OF her
Jpdgpent and order effrmeh with costs.
River Railroad Company, Appellant: in re
accounts NJ Prentice and another-Motion
for, renrRpmep, denied. 81 10 costs,
Roches'er-- TO dismiss. appeal I'D dis" 81
missed without costs.
The sun., 1899-12-16
QUAY ~ WAsHIHGTON.
His Fight for a Seat In tho Senate Most
Likely to Go Against Him.

His Fight for a Seat In tho Senate Most
Likely to Go Against Him.
WAsHISoToS. Dec. 15.-Ex- Senator Quay
arrived In Washington to-day from Florida
and went To his X street reaidenos. where he
was visited by Senator Penrose and one
or two other friends interested In his
contest for scat In the Senate. Mr. Quay
was told by these gentlemen to-day. what
he knew already by telegraph and other
wise. that his cause is desperate. The case
will be argued before the Committee on Priv
ieges md Elections to- morrow. IL having been
arranged TO devote four hours TO IL. The time
is To be equally divided between Attorney-
General Johm Elkins. Mr.. Quays counsel. and
ex-senator Edmunds. who represents his op-
ronpnts.
The committee is against Quay. 1t Is COM
posed OF fve RaDu hlcans. Messrs. Chandler
ma rman: Hoar. burrows. Iritchard and
Spooner; and four Democrats, Messrs Gallery,
Harris, Pettns aud Turey, The four Demo-
Gratis and Mr. Burrows will vote against Quay
and the four Republicans remaining will sub
init M inority report in favor OF his right TO a
seat. The whole matter will probably then 20
over uni after the liday recess.
The lea iers of both sides OF the chamber admit
that as the case stands now Mr.. Quay is beaten,
and that II q vote were taken to- morrow in the
senate he would not get more than thirty. Ave
or forty votes. Some OF the Republican Sena-
tors think II possible that after carefully can.
yassing the stu II ion during the holiday recesa
Mr.. Quay will. II he bnls a majority axainst
him. abandon the contest.
The sun., 1899-12-16
BATTLE IN A MINING CAMP.
Hot Pursuit of Two Mexican Gamblers Who
Began killing wantoniy.

Began Killing wantonIy.
FLoRENoE. Arin. Dec. 15.-H. +. Hunting.
don, Western manager OF the Southern
Pacific Railway Company. has just been at
Ray. q new camp thirty-Hve miles east OF
Florence. where an English corporation Is
developing rich copper mines. He was look
ing over the ground with . view TO running
q branch railroad there from Casagrande BY
way Of Florence.
At breakfast the mining manager boasted OF
the peaceful nature OF his camp. Just as ha
spoke two shots were heard. then more. and
the men sprang 10 the door In time to see
about the whole male population dash madly
by. every man shooting at two figures that
were trying to reach the shelter OF u nearby
ridge OF rock.
In the van OF the crowd was tho German
postmaster with repeating shotgun. Undis-
mayed by dozen shots ared at him he gained
on the fugitives and blew a hole In one with a
charge OF buckshot. The second soon after
fell with a rife bullet through his head
Verify, this surely Is peaceful camp" re-
The men he had 8 en- shot were two Mexican
had come from Tucson 70 seek profit after the
IN vicious humor. trr their profits had
BEEN, been Hight Ent,rns ,oa GTTosgeGy they
miners failed to respond and were at once
shot dead. Then the pair started down the
street shooting up the town.
A white man who had tramped Into camp the
night before was sitting on q doorstep.
Though he made no offensive motion he was
killed by the desperadoes as they passed
Then the camp came out OF It's trance The
men swarmed out, and with rifles, revolvers.
and shot guns went hot foot after the despera-
does.
That afternoon four bodies wrapped in
blankets were sent TO Florence. the, county
seat, while into another wagon was bundled
Orosco. mortally wounded yet still alive.
The sun., 1899-12-16
alrm publications.
An American Dictionary thai
Charms England.

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