The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-17

can't you understand? There's mother
for mo to care for."'
Your mother! Why. OF course, but
80"
Don't: I know what YOU are going to
say but It can't bel''
Cant be! Why not7.' a
Because" answered Lora, now alive
to her sense of duty and calm with for
ititude. ~ will ask no man, not even you,
Milton, to assume the duties I owe my
mother. ara - " n X Kan &
"But you love me, Lora!" STOPPING
and kissing the trembling hands he
held. you love me, and surely your
mother would not consent -
No, mother, must. know nothing OF
this. She would never allow me to make
such a sacrifice"
Then It is a sacrifice. Lora, and you
love me?"
Eyes, Milton. far better than you will
believe when tell you that our mar
riage is impossible. To become your
vile would be humorlng the selfish i'm.
pulses Of my heart-to refuse and con-
tinue supportingmy mother, thus shield
ing her from the dIstasteful position OF
dependence In which our marriage
would place her, is simple, lnglorlous
duty-one too sacred to be disregarded,
and too plain to be mistaken! Oh, say
no more" as he made gesture of de-
precation. II have told you I love you,
but we must forget.it all!"fS
Standing in the position of rejected
sutton and accepted lover was delicate
one, and Milton Woo dard. though sue
eessful fnancier, was hardly sufficiently
versed in social etiquette to know Just
what was now expected OF him. or how
he could proceed. so for few moments
he was silent, and then to his listener It
seemed his tone betrayed no emotion,
and the love light In his eyes WAS gone,
being replaced by the expressions OF the
world absorbed fnancier.
t"Well. Lora," he said at last, rising
and taking up his hat, since you seem
positive Of your stand in this matter,
I'll say no more on the subject .o-nigh,
but should your mother-that is-well,
in case your mother should rome day
relieve you of this responsibility by re-
marrying"
Impossible, Milton!"
Perhaps so. Lora; but time will tell
at any rate. In such an event, you
wouldn't refuse again to become my
wife, would your
And this time she held out her hands
to him. and her answer was q tear drop
that fell and sparkled a moment on
their closped hands. 4
Poverty has ever been prone to disre.
gard every phase OF sentiment and tina;
night. when Lora longed for the luxury
of seclusion and privacy. poverty stood
| guard at the chamber door, and tears
were repressed and her lips were parted
with smile that was forced. until a,
last sleep had closed her mothers
watchful eyes-then from her side Of
the inevitable folding bed came the
sobs that meant relief to the heart Of
the girl who was mother to the mater!
| How sweet had been her glimpse into
Loves realm! How allurins the words
that Cupid whispered. and what music
the tones of a lovers voice! Yet, she
argued In her heart. her first duty she
| tn hnr In -gtr ba, u IL,
shouldered her burden, and courag.
must carry her through! 1t was strangy
how empty and devoid Of hernism thi.
self inflicted course Of martyrdom sud.
denly appeared, and 1t needed all Of hel
stamina OF character to resist the In.
auences of love, and remain at her pos
Of duty!
1t was the breakfast hour a. popu
lar restaurant the following morning
and Milton Woodland had scheming ant
strategy alike written over his entiry
countenance. while the cider Mr.
Woodland wore the appearance OF mar
bearing the weight OF important bust
ness. too heavy to be shared even Will
his son. "a
Father. before you return to Califor
MIA, there are 4 few calls wish 70,
would make with me-"
tut, tut, my boy-no time for 'socla
obligations as you call them. I'm her,
fer Enthusiastically business. Milton
"Oh, OF course. only refer to you
most intimate fr!ends-Alrs. Russell, To-
instance"
Eth? Mrs. Russell. did you say?'
CHANGING quickly at his son for tho ex
preston Of irony he expected to find
but failing to detect any such. he CAV,
sigh OF relief. unfolding his napkin
and placing 1t across his knees, then con
tinued:
HIN. Mrs. Russell, did you say?-
Lora's mother?"
Milton assented.
Then presume you keep In toucl
with Mrs. Russelrs affairs" testify
land you think she would care to SCI
me?"
quite sure OF 1t, father: Lora and
are old friends you know"
mo, wasn't aware that you wer
rricnds-'friends' hardly expresses you
relations. I'm afraid" laughlngly sIgni
flcuntly and heartily enjoying the man
ncr In which he had turned the subjcc
from himself. His only response wag ,
momentary CLEAN from the eyes OF hi
listener. who then continued, easily:
"As was saying. we are old friends
and I naturally drop around frequently
and on one or two occasions the charm
Ing little mother has Inquired nfte