Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-11-11

She paused with a charming
had begun to Introduce one whose
name she did not know
sPritchard," replied Fred, quickly.
Mrs. jerks did not grasp the situa-
ton, but to Fred's joy she did not at
tempt to do SO at that time.
Good evening, Mr.. Pritchard," she
murmured. Dorothy, it is too cool
for you out here. You and Mr.. Pritch-
ard had better come inside"
Fred could not resist the unexpected
invitation He followed the ladies
through their backAdoor. Mrs. jerks
was notable housewife and her kit
chen was as Immaculate as her draw
ing room, so she did not finch as
she conducted the guests across it and
down the entire length of the narrow
hall to the, front of her pretty little
fiat The drawing room reached, she
and Dorothy and Mr.. Pritchard were
soon engaged in a pleasant conversa-
tion Fred stayed as long as he dared
Mrs. jerks, who had found him re-
markedly entertaining, asked him to
call again.
I 49, w n.y. dUntlG, CAtf1IlACu tDOIOIilt,
as soon as he was gone, DO you know
that Mr.. Pritchard is an entire stranger
to me?"
What on earth was you chatting to-
gether on the back porch for them"
inquired the aunt. ITO be sure don't
see how he got there" she added, re-
hectively
@You funny auntie,'' said Dorothy,
you act as though his being there was
matter of course Did | ever take a
young man out ON the back porch
even Mr.. Foster?"
swell, how did he get there?" asked
Mrs. jerks. I didn't show surprise
when | saw him. of course not. 1t is
never well bred to show surprise"
Dorothy laughed and related her ad-
venture.
We'll, no harm is DONE" comment
ed her aunt. The young man is GER
tainly gentleman, and is certainly
entertaining.
Each day during the ensuing week
Fred asked himself if he might call on
his new acquaintance and prudence
answered no. Twice he met Miss NAL
vern on the street near her doorsteps
time, but he saw nothing more of her
during his period Of waiting. Exactly
one week after the affair of the ruffie
he presented himself at the jerks
front door. Mrs jerks and Miss NAL
vern were not at home Fred, waited
three long days before calling again.
Happily the ladies were receiving.
The evening passed pleasantly Fred
dared to ask for song and Miss NAL
vern graciously granted his request.
Mrs. jerks skillfully drew cut the
young man and discovered that ne was
a lawyer and the nephew of one of the
leading business men of the city. She
did not hesitate to invite him to come
again. Fred joyfully availed himself
Of the invitation. Before long he was
a regular visitor at the house. He be-
came a great favorite of Mr. and Mrs.
jerks, and he knew it. Of Dorothy
he was not sure One evening, when
he and she were alone in the drawing
room he found courage to tell her how
long he had worshipped her from afar
and to ask her to be his wife.
"Oh, Mr.. Pritchard," cried the girl in
genuine CONSERVATION. 81 am so sorry-I
never dreamed of this. 1 have been en-
gagged for nearly year to Mr.. Foster,
whom l have known from childhood
81 have never seen him." stammered
Fred, awkwardly.
mo answered Dorothy. "He went to
st. Paul last December. He is railroad
man and is ordered about like an army
officer or aNMethodist preacher. We shall
probably live in ST. Paul. We are to be
married in September
Fred sorrowly took his leave.
He did not die of a broken heart, but it
was six years before he married. His bride
was neither young nor pretty, nor could
she sing. She was widow with two chill
dren. But she had a million dollars.