Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-01-21
VIII.


Ledynrd Fieldfng's Danger.
"She has the pluck and the resolu-
ton that would carry her stocially
through fire and water for anything
that her heart was set upon"
"Or any one" Miss Fielding made
this amendment to her brothers re-
mark with delicate emphasis. She did
not look at him, but put herself te
some slight pains, in fact, not to do so
Harriet's absence from home for a
whole day made it possible for them
to play chess and to discuss her. They
were doing the one with skill and the
other with kindness.
They had come to feel very much al
home by this time on the Farindale
ranch, and it's mistress had ceased to
make company of them. On the day
in question she had responded to a
somewhat urgent note from Mrs. War
rem, and left home for the doctors i'm
mediately after an early breakfast.
Fielding's Endorsement of her ener-
gy had been brought about by Mildred's
enthusiastic report of her progress in
music.
"Not quite three months since I be-
gan by teaching her the names of the
keys! She has a very bright and re-
ceptive mind"
Fielding moved. the disarranged
chesSrnen restlessly. Milly had re-
minded him of the passage of time.
J. fseThree monthsi Is it possible we
nave been buried among these hills so
long?"
Buried! Why, Led, l thought you
were perfectly satisfied. 1 am quite
sure you would have buried me long
ago if we had not come here"
ITO this particular spot?"
He asked it almost peevishly. She
scanned his clouded face with sorrow
full surprise. Brother, are you getting
restless?"
Internally So" He pushed his chair
back from the table abruptly, and tilt
ing it on two legs ran his fingers ner-
vously through his short brown hair.
IF it were not for the radical i'm
provement in your health, my dear, I
should throw up my position to-mor-
row. l long to be back at my legiti-
mate work. l want to be among men
who are up with the procession.
want to hear the roar of New York's
Ppulsing life. Lwant some fellow to jos
tie me Of the sidewalk. think
eio even enjoy a breakneck scamp
" catch a cable car with the privi-
of hanging on to the real plat
form by the eyelids."
His discomfort eliminated in a short,
mirthless laugh. Mildred did not join
in it. There was a faint note of asper-
ity in her voice as she asked, Are your
Office and your work and the sidewalk
jostling all you want to get back to,
Ledyard?'
He understood her perfectly. and an
swered ~deiantly: mo. If you will
have it, they are not"
She shook her head almost angrily.
"Oh, you foolish, foolish boy. How
that child has bewitched you. You,
who have so long been proof against
pretty faces. I do not-cannot under
stand It,"
Neither do I. So don't try to-" he
said CURLY. do you know" he pres
emily added, looking her quite calmly
in the face, that Mrs. Monette is meas
urably responsible for my not being
able to forget that girl?"
MRS. Monette!"
Eyes; there is at times a look of that
child in this lonely woman's eyes.
When she is at her happiest-that isl
Her happiest! Poor little woman;
that does not stand for much. That
baited, haunted look has gone out of
her face, and when she comes to ap-
preciate good literature for its W
sake, and not simply because she wants
to make it a s~tepping-stone to a social
platform, she will get thorough enjoy
ment out of it and her life will be pleas
anter after we go out of it."
Fielding's lip curled with gay scorn.
"She need not put herself to such pains.
Her beauty and her money will put her
upon a high social platform, whenever
she chooses to seek it,"
Il don't think she is vain,' said Mil
bred, Loyalty.
mo, neither do l."