West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-11-21


and was lost and forgotten. so that
Miss Abigail never received II.
That night Mr.. Melville waited until
dinner was over and then, retiring to
the dining room, found Miss Abigail
alone. Walking over to the window
where she sat. he said:
Miss Manning. / am glad to find
you alone. as 1 want TO talk with you.
AS You know, l always have the inter
est OF those dear 20 me ut heart. OF
course you received my noter' he add
cd. "Oh, dear, where are my trum-
pets?'
IL have received no note" said Miss
Manning. but Mr. Melville was mean
while looking all over the room for a
trumpet.
There Is one" said Miss Abigail.
coming to the rescue. con the plate
warmer"
"oh, thank you." said Mfr. Melville.
Please be seated" drawing up n chair,
''and 1 Will explain all OF my plans. 1t
Is so unfortunate that the house has
no private sitting ROOM"
Yes, indeed" replied she. "It is
awkward at times"
II VIII repeat what | said, that what
ever l love l have the greatest possible
interest In" Miss Abigail blushcd
And know" continued Mr.. Mel
Vile, that II Is asking great deal OF
you TO devote your time TO an animal"
"Oh. mol oh, nor said Miss Abigail,
deprecatlng his calling himself an ami
NAL. You must not say such things"
Then you Will accept?" sald Mr.. Mel
Vile. radiantly beamlng on her, for
now, he said to himself, Joachim's com
fort Is assured.
Yes" said Miss Abigail In as low a
tone as she could well make him hear,
for she had heard some one In the hall.
II accept, Mr.. Melville. but am afraid
am not worthy the trust you have I'm
me-"
ooh, yes" replied Mr.. Melville; 81
VIII trust you. I would trust you with
anything, Miss Ablgail-wlth myself
tven," he added, little knowing how his
words were applied
THE 2Sth," said Mr.. Melville, settling
back In his chair and looking at Miss
Abigail.
ooh, dear" she said. $50 soon as
N-'NN' 'NAf wiz II y ihu Dt Ietsuy.
and Joachim must not know I am
going away. 1t would break his heart.
You can bring him down stairs after 1
leave In the morning"
Yes" said Miss Abigail, 81 will sec
to the cat" but she looked surprised.
Why should Mr.. Melville mention the
cat Mt such n time?
"And now" said Mr.. Melville, al
want to leave all arrangements In your
care
Miss Abigail felt that she was per-
fectly capable of attending to every
thing. but IL did not seem exactly the
proper thing for her to do. "Do you
mean that l shall attend to every
thing" she shouted through the trum-
pet.
Yes" he replied. 81 leave all In
your hands, as I explained to you I'm
my note"
VERY WELL" said Miss Abigail, "I
will do the best l can"
And you are sure, dear Miss Abb
gail, that you VIII not regret It? 1t will
be very inconyenient for you.'
Miss Abigail blushed, but replied,
ooh, not at ALL" She was afraid that
there might be some one In the hall
listening, so she rose to terminate the
interview, and just then some one came
I'm.
Mr.. Melville was very busy for the
next two weeks. and If Miss Abigail
herself had not been so busy with MAX
Ing all the arrangements for the we'd
ding she might have thought that he
wasn't very ardent lover.
When Miss Abigail had occasion to
nsk questions In regard to the cere-
mony, which was only once or twice,
she had to walt until every one was
out Of the dining room to get chance
TO speak TO him. He had expressly
stated that she was to attend to every
thing. 1t was to be quiet wedding,
with only Mrs. Jenkins and Mr. Smith
Jones and Potter present, and Mrs.
Jenkins was to have lunch for them
afterward
She had asked him II o'clock in the
afternoon would answer and IL IT should
occur at st. James, Plccadilly. He had
repeated the words James, PiccadilIy,
and said yes, wondering why Miss Abb
gall referred TO his brothers. business
I'm Plccadilly.
Mr.. Smith-Jones was to be best man.
In due course of time the 2sth ar
rived, Miss Abigalrs wedding day.
After Mr.. Melville had departed for the
city Joachim and all his belongings
were, according 20 instructions, car
ried down to Miss Mannlng's room.
Now, II happened that on reaching
the city Mr.. Melville found there was
not much for him to do the last day,
so be returned early 10 the house, de-
termined TO have n nice rest until IT
was time for the night train to Dover.
II being n warm day, and he having
had hearty lunch, 1t happened that
when Mr.. Smith-Jones. dressed and
ready for the momentous occasion,
Knocked at the door at o'clock, and
no amount OF knocking and pounding
having the least effect, had opened the
door. had found the bridegroom elect
fast asleep in n chair. with his feet
stretched comfortably in another. and
handkerchief over his head 10 keep
OF the flies
"scandnlousw said Smlth-Jones to
himself who imagined that Mr.. Mel
Vile had been partaklng OF something
stronger than cold tea wake ND,
Melville! DO you know what time II IS?
You VIII be late for the weddngr7 he
shouted
wedding" repeated Mr. Melville.
Then seeing Mr.. Smlth-Jones was IN
fun dress smile broke over his coun-
tenaucc.