Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-04
A PASSIONATE BEING.
By F. IL. Lancaster.

Copyright, 1900, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
AS soon as they had settled them
selves comfortably in the SADIE of the
rocks the woman promptly broke 81
lence. The six categories of Kanada
are quality, genius, individuality, sub
stance, concentration and action" she
begun, in the tone of one who felt
herself upon a perfectly safe subject.
Now" her companion interrupted
her ruthlessly, Aristotle lays down
ten c~ategories," be said quickly, "and
one of them is passion. Aristotle is q
truer philosopher than Kanada."
Il doubt that. The effort of philos-
ophy should be to elevate" She spoke
easily, but her gaze seward had be-
come a stare.
The mar drew himself a little nearer
to her across the sands. "The philoso-
ply of all PHILOSOPHERS is this" he
said insistently. Denying a thing
does not do away with its existence"
The girl turned from the far-away
sealine and gave him a quick, uneasy
glance. He was a slight-built, nervy
man, with eager eyes and a suggestion
of courage. The blood went to her
heart as she looked at him, but her
tone was cool and level. 'Neverthe-
less, this world would be a pleasant
place if it was not for passion"
Wonderfully pleasant" he laughed
shortly, and reached for a spear OF the
scant beach grass. "A vast charnel-
house; a cemetery with the dead men
outside their tombs. Bah. Passion
is the thrill Of life. 1t runs through
everything. Imagine a perfectly pas
~sionless being!"
why, ] don't know" She arose
lazily andNbrushed the sand from her
skirt. Il am a ~passionless being.
The young fellow sprang to his feet
and caught her hands.
You are a pa~ssionless being?'
why, yes.
"No; but look at me-"
"Well?"
"Jove, How can women lie so?"
The girl laughed carelessly and
slipped her hands from his grasp.
Fortunately that I am pasionless,' she
embarked dryly.
'fBut YOU are not-vou know that
you are not" he returned savagely.
There was a moments silence. Miss
Mortimer looked at the sea and looked
at her watch. Then she glanced FUR
lively in the direction Of the hotel"
NO" he said, in~tercepting her
glance. you are not going back up
wonder vet. | want to say something
first"
Don't say it," Her tone seemed to
-. -Lx xoaEn u-d m loon on
hardening after words had died away.
Cuyton picked up her hat and stood
near her, absently brushing away the
sand 1hat clung TO its brim. Why
not?"
Well"
"wea? It's well that I should buster.
Hadst thou less unworthy proved
Would 10 God For l had loved thee
More than ever wife was loved:'
ter He quoted the beautiful words
slowly, apparently too intent upon
Slipping the spear of grass into her
hatband TO lift his eyes. The girls
lips whitened a little. but she spoke
easily.
"Tennyson is the poet of poets," she
said.
liz 10 Iic CsC . pOClr a. Va 50Srs
Guyton responded. still intent upon his
g-assblaae. Il told you that wanted
TO tell you something"
Never mind that Give me my hat.
I'm due at the hotel now"
In for a mill. in for o million. Stay
due a little longer. We have been
friends for a long time, and, even
though o are a passionless being, I
expect o to enjoy being with me in
my happiness"
Certainly" she returned hurriedly,
II am at your disposal"
Thanks; but | want your congratu-
lations also. I'm in love with the dear
est of girls, and she Is in love with
me-
We'll" she responded hlankly. too
astonished ~ his unusual leyity u