The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-03

itself since Jim had left. She had been
far too absorbed In her book. She dis
covered now. however, much to her cha
gin, that she was looking her worst.
She was thin and pale. there were dark
rings round her lids. and her lips had
lost their color.
What fright he will think me-" she
decided. "and they say American women
are absolutely Irresistible. Now that
book Is out of hand. I must really rr-
sumo regular exercise and regular
meals. Dear old Jim; wonder II he is
married7 He, doesn't speak of It." She
said this aloud. after the fashion OF
feminine self-deceptlon. She remarked
1t to the person In the glass, and was
proud to observe that the person In tho
glass took the notion quite composedly
and with a smile. The person out of TIL,
glass was perfectly confident that. Jim
was not even engaged. For. had this
been SO. Jim or Jlm's mother with
whom she was always on excellent
terms. would certainly have mentioned
It.
Eventually she undid the brown-papcr
wrappings OF her complimentary vol
umes, was DULY disappointed with the
cover, the paper, and the printing, de-
tected an error in spelling upon the FIRST
page, fretted, wavered, finally approved.
and carried the book triumphantly to
the garden, there to read 1t as nearly as
might be from the standpoint of IN in
dependent critic.
By the time lunch had waited long
enough upon the table to be cold. she
had finished the book. having forgotten
all beside. Swimming some parts, dwell
Ing upon others, reading all with the
freshness Of one reading for the story,
without thought Of style. or rhythm, or
Of literary technique. Having finished,
She set 1t beside her on the little sum-
mer-house seat, and dropping her burn
inS, crimson face Into her hands.
"ft's Jim from beginning to end" she
faltercd with spasm OF shame.
Heavens. where shall I hide my dimin-
lshed head that he may never find me.
".
Jim did not look altogether as though
shooting In the Rockies had agreed with
him. Persons who seek to forget should
shun solitudes. A womans name may
come with wearying frequently to silent
lips; where there are no women's faces
one wonan's face can Turk In sunrises.
In camp fires. and haunt night watches.
81 shall stroll down and look up Eu-
NICE" he said. after dinner. II suppose
she has been writing early and late as
usual for the last six months"
"Oh, Eunlce Is away" his mother told
HIM" she has Just brought out her book
and has gone away for rest"
when did she go?" he demanded
quickly.
His mother was discreet, and, unlike
mothers. wished him to marry. and.
stil more unlike mothers. wished him
to marry the woman Of his choice.
"oh, some days ago." she returned,
with a linser on days which stretched
them to n week.
Yet not even an archbishop could
have cavillcd at the accuracy of her
words.
Jim had awaited her answer with air
Of tension.
"Ah!" he said. relieved. and through
the open window he turned into the
garden. Outside he added. Before she
got my letter. dear girl"
Inside. his mother reflected indignant
ly after his tall figure. What In the
name OF goodness does sh, expect. that
Jir: doesn't satisfy her? And to run
away from him US though he were n
tiEer!"
Even the most hcreaved Of orphans
and those poorest In kin own somebody
with whom, on leaving home. they
must lodge an address.
Therefore, person of Jim's re-
sources was not long in discovering Eu-
nice's whereabouts.
She was sitting on the beach at Fow-
cy-a long, deserted beach-upor n
melancholy damp evening. her cheek
against the unresponsive ribs Of a
rough pleasure boat. when she per-
| celved him coming.
He has read the book, has recognize
ed himself. and Is coming dutifully to
repropose. for fear should die of q
broken heart rs that absurd Leonora
docs" she reflected. HE has got
bravcly over his feeling fer me and
hates doing 1t: one can see that at n
glance. But he will sci. his teeth, and
so through with It. Only, of course, I
shall never allow such sacrifice"
You don't look particularly pleased
to see me-" he said. blankly.
"Oh, l am" she Insisted. stretching
him n languid hand. you've been
away quite n long time. I'm awfully
pleased to see you. How brown you
are! Did you have n pleasant timer"
"Oh. delightful" he retorted. Ike 4
man just In n cold showcr-bath. "You
don't mind II l sit on the opposite
edge Of the boat. I hope. I'll try not to
TIT 1t uncomfortably for your cheek.
and you can so on thinking about VIII
mot. l read the new book coming
down In the train. You've got now
man in 1t. see. but suppose It is still
Wilmot you think about"
oh. yes she said. hurrlcdly. at Is
| sti WIluot E