Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-20
THE NEW MISTRESS.

They were sitting alone, those two
girls, in Squire Cleveland's snug par
lor. Carletta Cleveland, tall, dark and
regally beautiful, and Fannie Will
lard. delicate pretty and timid. Car
letta was the daughter of Squire Cleve-
land the most influential man ia the
village. Fannie was Caletta'.; cousin
poor and an orphan and tic servant
of the whole family.
Put Gown that book, Fan, and come
and sme 9th my hair, commanded Car
letta Arthur Gray will be here soon.
] want 10 fasten this rose in my hair,
too"
Care for Arthur Gray. Carletta
! Cleveland care for poor schoomas-
ter. Fannie Willard, are you crazy
! Because I don't care to look like a
/ fright, even in his presence, you insult
me in that manner There, you can go
/ and get tea, and mind you never mem
Z ton Arthur Grays name to me again"
And Fannie went out, leaving Car
letta to await the coming of the vii
lage schoolmaster. Squire Cleveland
was school director, and the teacher
| always boarded at his house.
Carletta had told the truth: she did
not, and was determined she never
would, care for Mr.. Gray. She de-
| spised him. handsome and well-bred
| though he was, because he worked
for his living but she was vain and
wanted to be admired by everybody,
and felt piqued because Arthur Gray
did not seem inclined to break his
heart for her. True. he had seemed
fascinated by her beauty and wit when
he first became an inmate of her faith
er's house, but she had repulsed him
eoldly and scornfully, and now, though
she smiled on him in her most be-
witching way he seemed utterly indif-
ferent
When she came in this afternoon
she was uneommonly brilliant while
he was reserved, almost cold, toward
Der.
In the belief that he loved her, and
with a coquettish desire TO make him
jealous, Carletta drew from her pocket
small gold docket. She touched the
spring and it flew open revealing a.
handsome, boyish face, destitute OF
beard, though decidedly manly in ex-
preston. She handed it to the schcoi-
master, saying:
Ibid you ever know the original of
that?"
Mr. Gray took the locket. saying
quietly:
Yes; it is Arthur Kingsley, your
boy lover"
Carletta wondered where he had seen
him and how he knew that Arthur
Kingsley had ever been her lover, but
she did not ask him.
HE is not a boy now. 1t is eight
years since that likeness was taken and
he has been away all the time. Do
you think he will be much changed.
Mr.. Gray"
He may be changed in heart as well
as personal appearances. In eight
years a man may stray far from the
narrow road he delighted to tread in
his youth" he replied, watching her
narrowly.
He is rich. Years haven't taken
away his wealth" was the only an
swer.
so thought he, riches is all she
considers worth having"
Mr. Kingsley may find you changed
too said he, after a pause. He left
you a young. artiess, affectionate girl
he will return to find you an accom-
plished, cold hearted woman of the
world"
This was said more in tones of Bit
terness and sorrow than reproach and
gered at these words. for she imagined
baftied love had prompted them. She
took an enameled case from her pocket
and handed it to Mr.. Gray. 1t con-
tanned a miniature OF herself taken
before the departure Of Arthur Kings
ley for Europe.
You have changed Miss Cleveland.
and the change in your looks is for the
better" said he. as he gazed at the
picture in an distracted, sad sort of
way. When is Mr.. Kingsley expect
ed?"
"In the early part Of next month"
replied Carletta, and then she added,
as il to herself:
ct is strange he doesn't write any
more haven't had a letter in three
months. 1t must be because he is COM
ing home soon"
"Carletta-Miss Cleveland Arthur
Gray's eyes were fixed on her as
though he would read the secrets of
her very soul. Il wish you to tell me
as your friend and as one who is per-
sonally interested whether. or not you
love this young man-this Arthur
Kingsley"