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

you, as have an important engage
ment at o'clock--see you later'.--etc.,
and without further parleying the elder
gentleman hustled out. leaving his por-.
terhouse and coffee steamlng tempting
ly,iyet untouched.
Him! Dads nerves seemed rufTled
this morning! He and Lora's father
were always chummy. but. by jove, who
would have thought he would tear
around because he learned the widow
was receiving gentlemen callers! I
have done her an injustice. too and,
while l thought was something Of q
schemer, It appears that In affairs Of
the heart am a failure! A sense Of
rivalry may excite the interest OF some
men, but in my fathers case |: seems I
caused irritation, and Lora and I are
farther apart than yesterday; still there
are other men, thank the Lord. and
Mrs. Russell is charming!" And with
these varied reflections Milton drank
his coffee and fell again to scheming.
All day. while Lora had been busy
with her music pupils, Mrs Russell had
been considering the most opportune
moment for delivering OF herself most
important confession. and the best man
ner of delivering it!
Poor Lora!" she unused. at will al
most break her heart. I know, and worst
of all fear she will meyer accept boun-
ty from him! Dear little girl. How I
wish her and Millions friendship had
ripened into something warmer. as I
used to suspect 1t would"
When the last music pupil had been
dismissed and the dainty supper was
over-for Mrs. Russell was sufficiently
philosopher to believe that the impart-
Ing Of important or uncertain news to
q hungry human might incur an unfav-
orable reception, whereas satlatrd
stomach would incline the individual
toward peaceful consideration. and had
therefore waited until the evening meal
was served; she then took up some ne
elected embroidery, while Lora sat gaz-
ing idly into the glowing CRATE. THUS
making a tale of love quito apropos to
| the hour, scene and place. E
"Lora, as you know. between the
! Woodland family and ours there has al
ways been warm friendship, and I
have been wondering IL the idea Of the
two names combining would be unpleas-
ant to you"
It was out at last, and Mrs. Russell
stitched fast, holding her breath, as it
were, in anticipation Of her daughters
reply. AS It did not come, she present
ly found the. courage to raise her head
and meet the wondering and astonish-
ed gaze of Lora, who could put but one
conception on her mothers unexpected
speech.
why, mother. did he tell you?"
Yes. notwithstanding and her self
confidence returning-"several. months
ago. but some way we hesitated to dis
close our secret to our children! But
you won't object, will you. for"
Mother! mother! Have you lost your
reason? Your children! What are you
talking about?"
"Lora, didn't believe you would take
1t SO hard: John Woodland loves mel
am alone in the world save for you, and
you shall go to Germany for a course in
music. he says. and"
An expressive "Oh!" from Lora, and
then two young arms around her
mothers neck. with laughter and tears
rs side relief. soon convinced Mrs.
Russell that her suit would meet with
no opposition.
Il was less than month later when
the two families formed the, great
Woodland combine or trust, as Milton
expressed It. the elder members OF the
concern going west while Lora and her
husband sailed for sunny lands across
the seas; but Milton hasn't yet disclosed
the, plan he had formulated to find a
husband for her mother, since his father
had 30 kindly prearranged things TO his
own liking.