Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-03-25

lamp threw ! soft, rosy light about
the room. It was pretty scene and
one that Jim never forgot
He stood before velva, as II think
Ing how to begin. How large and
bright her eyes looked tonight. he
thought, as she looked up at him.
but Alice has made mistake in call
ing them bold.
Il won't keep you long, Velva." he
began, after moments silence, @but
want to tell you about dear little
girl that have this last two days de-
cided / liked better than any other
girl in the world.
For awhile there was another girl
! in question, but now feel she is but
a friend and my hopes are all center
ed in the other one, and from the
depths of my heart / pray she will
some time be nearer and dearer to me
than a friend
81 have reason to believe that she
likes me, too, and-oh! Velva don't
you see what I mean?" But Velva
had burst into tears.
"Of course, know what and who
you mean" she said, "and don't
please dont-say any more"
Yes he had said it as plainly as he
| dared. Alice was 'the dear, little
girl" he liked and she (Velva) must
only consider herself as friend.
Without another word she rushed
out of the room and, after saying
goodnight to her hostess, started
home, reaching there she never knew
| how-she felt so sick and miserable.
Within the next few days all Vel
vas friends were grieved to learn that
she lay very low with typhoid fever.
| ''Velva has not been herself for the
last three weeks" her mother had
told Rose Austin when she came to
inquire about her friend, "but l never
dreamed she was coming down with
the fever"
Each day she grew worse, but her
mother would not give up hope until
the ninth day. But before then Velva
grew delirious and in her unconscious
muttering told the secret Of her life
The doctors looked grave and shook
their heads, they dared not give the
distracted mother further hope.
She tossed and moaned upon her
white bed, some times calling loudly
for Jim, then again entreating her
mother to keep him away. Let him
stay with Alice" she cried. HE pre-
ferred her yellow hair and baby face
to mine; let him stay" But as the
hours passed on she did not again
speak of her fair rival, but called con-
stantly for Jim.
And Just when the sun was sinking
behind the hills of C. Harcourt
stepped into the room and clasped
Velva's hot feverished hands in his.
He cared not if he caught the fever;
they had kept him away long enough
by telling him it was contagious; he
would not let her call in vain any
longer. The boyish face looked white
and sad as he bent eagerly over her.
The nurse, tired with long watch
ing, had fallen asleep by the window.
Jim's presence seemed to sooth the
sick girl, for after a few moments
she opened her eyes in full conscious
ness and gazed around the room.
Her eyes fell on Harcourt and
glad light illuminated her face. you
here" she said. Then l shall have
my wish, Jim, to say good-by to you
before l go.
81 know that I am going to die,
but" She was very weak and her
voice was low and trembling-"b l
am not sorry. I hope poor mother
won't grieve much, and all the rest
and, Jim, I want to tell you how sor-
ry l am for leaving you so abruptly
the other night at the party but I
felt SO bad" she paused a mo-
ment for breath, then continued and
l want to tell you, too how l thank
you for your friendly confidence and
l hope you and Alice will always be
happy in each others love"
'Velva, what are yu saying?" ex-
claimed jim. Can it be possible that
you misunderstood me the other night?
1t was you, dear, not Alice, that all
my hopes are centered in, else should
not be here. l know for a time | was
charmed with her pretty face and baby
ways, but after you refused to see me
that night and hear my explanation