Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-06
and sat down to wait till their eia-
logue should come to an emo

and sat down to wait till their eia-
logue should come to an end.
Though the chair had taken was
close beside them. for a. time neither
saw me, so absorbed were they in the
matter of their discourse, whatever it
might be. But / was not left to con-
lectures, for the same earnestness that
hindered them from observing me,
made them equally regardless as to the
tone in which they talked, SO
loud / could not help hear
ing what they said, though
of all ears in that room mine were the
last for which it was intended, being
myself the subject under discussion.
When a man hears his own name pro-
nounced, and a fortiori overhearing it,
his attention is naturally arrested. still
more if it occurs TO him that his char
acter is being dissected- Under such
circumstances it requires a herculean
effort to withdraw beyond ear-shot, and
even the best-bred gentleman will find
it difficult.
In my case withdrawing or remaining
was not question of good or bad man
ners. l could not well move without at
tracing the notice OF the ladies. who
would know that had heard all they were
saying. In this dilemma l sat still, though
certainly my seat was thorny one,
In was the mother who had mentioned
my name. in continuance exclaiming:
Count. indeed" then adding; You're
beside yourself. Belle"
~Wel mother. Mr.. Spoforth introduced
him as a Count. and-he has the air OF
one"
L liked that but not the remark of the
mother made in scornful rejoinder.
"All the air of an adventurer, l should
rather say Mr.. Spafford's a silly fellow.
always making such mistakes The man
you've been dancing with all night is only
a paltry half-pay captain, with not the
shadow of an expectation; Lady Scandal
ton just told me So"
Indeed"
Tho SURPRISED exclamation did not sound
well. But l fancied it was accompanied
by sigh. which, in some measure, modi-
ned it. to a certain extent consoling me
for the slur upon my rank and poor pros
pects-true nevertheless. But l was not
left long to indulge in even this scant con-
ISOLATION.
And" continued the vexed parent.
you've engaged yourself to him for anoth-
er waltz?"
Il have"
How very provoking, Lord Doddleton
has been here to know II sou We're engage
ed for that very dance. Twice he's been
to ask you for partner; almost got on hts
knees for me 10 intercede for him. Sect
he's coming to speak for himself. It's
vexatiousn'
ct Is! I admit it,''
On hearing this rejoinder the fine castles
l had been building were scattered like
houses of cards. and the question which
came after did nothing to set them up
again.
What would you have me do. mother2'
"Say yes to his lordship and throw the
other over Tell him you had previous
engagement which you forgot"
Very well, 1 shall do so"
l could hear no sigh this time, else I
might have held my tongue and sat still.
speech stung me to taking u terrible ven-
geance.
Rising from my chair. and, with low
bow, presenting myself before the ladies,
said:
Miss Mainwarng, I should be. indeed
sorry to stand in the way of your "previ-
Gus engagement" and rather than Lord
Doddleton should endangcr his knees bee
to release YOU from that you made with
a naltry half pay captain"
The confusion OF both mother and
daughter put reply out of the question.
neither expected nor waited for It, but.
again bowling, made my adieu to Miss
Mainwaring for that night. and ever after
Not but that I again frequently saw and
met her. though never to speak, save with
that slent language OF tho eyes, often ex-
pressive as words.
My own chagrin was great enough. still
bearable ard before the bali was over. I
had almost forgotten my contretemps with
the beautiful Belle having. fortunately.
found one fair IS she, who did not disda'n
dancing with a half-pay captain.
Cro be continued)