Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-07-07

les i ucicNc, WI. tOICAcr, That l
may say l do know you" He had no,
made any movement. however, to grasp
the hand that was extended to him.
Mr.. Porcher was not allowed by ma
ture the privilege of turning red. that
being his normal condition, but the bags
OF skin under his puffy eyes became
a faint purple as he said trife uneas-
| lily:
MY place is in warwickshire. you
know. next to Miss wilfreds; and. as
they say she has willed her estate TO
you. some day we shall be neighbors,
you know"
II can only say that hope that day
may be long delayed" Osborne replied.
his quiet glance pointing his speech
with a significant double meaning as
he turned coldly away.
I'll remember that for you, my boy,
IL you ever get the Wufred estate"
muttered Mr. Porcher under his breath.
Sam Porcher is a good friend but a
deuced bad enemy. as you may learn
some day to your cost"
As for Osborne, he had hardly taken
a couple of PAGES when he found him
self face to face with his charming host
ess.
so. Mr.. Osborne. she said, with a
little imperious gesture, you have the
temerity to object to one of my
guests?"
I'm afraid must plead guilty, Lady
Emilia" he answered, In some confu-
sion. But il you will permit me to
explain"
Not now" she interrupted her eyes
dancing with a mischievious sparkle;
many of my guests are leaving. 4 will
give you an opportunity later on to Of
fer me the abject apology l require.
Do not go yet and she moved away,
leaving hin, bewildered, wondering
whether she was annoyed or pleased.
The crowd was, as she said. thinning
rapidly. At the end Of half an hour
she was bidding goodbye to the last Of
her other guests, and Immediately af-
forwards she faced round on him.
Now, Mr. Osborne" she said, with a
half-amused. half-cynical smile, Il may
as we'll relieve your mind by telling you
that l owe you a debt OF gratitude for
snubbing that odious individual. He
is building railways for the Gar, and
my brother-in-law, Prince Benkendorf,
is officially polite to him. But that
gives him no right to be here. Why,
the mans father was a navy, and his
mother kept little all-sorts shop
Still, it is surprising that the snubbing
should have come from you. 1t makes
one ask: is Saul among the Proph-
ets?'"
II am afraid he is not" Osborne an
swered, feeling painfully uneasy in
view of the grave business which had
brought him. II object to Mr.. Porcher
solely because I regard him as knave.
successful one, no doubt. but still a
knave, Lady Emilia. II l might tell
you the private history Of some Of the
companies he has noated-"
ooh, but you may not, you know"
she cried. THAT would bore me horri-
bly,. l should yawn in your face, and
then we should part with mutually
oR ~
quo amino since we both object to Mr..
Porcher? There are so many guinea
pigs nowadays that IL one were driven
to study the habits Of the animal and
his history one would have to cut half
ones friends"
Osborne stood in silent confusion.
bis eyes on the ground. Lady Emilia
burst into a soft musical laugh.
do you know" she said, you look
horribly shocked. But, never mind.
spare me any long TRADES on our fatal
facility for straining at gnats and swal-
lowing camels, and / shall always ad-
mire you for your happy knack of say
ing and doing the wrong thing"
Osborne pulled himself together with
an effort IF l have been unfortunate
enough to offend you," he said, Il have
not only done wrong, have been ex-
cessively foolish, for l came here to ask
an immense favour Of you
She gave him swift glance from
under her half-veiled lids. All" she
said. Then you did not come here
merely for the pleasure Of seeing me?
How many men would confess as much