The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-01-18
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

"a CuSty'lOuhlnS IASt'cI 'u'"e" :" Nv
the great gate, and passed up the walk
leading to the Hayward farmhouse
There was nothing prepossesslng in bis
appearance The clothes be wore though
not Of coarse material. were yet scedy and
thread. bare; and bis hat fashioned aquar-
ter Of a century before, showed long and
close acquaintance with sunshine and storm.
Flo was quite Old, too, although he stepped
quite pimbly upon the gravel walk, and
tired, forh had trampod many miles under
the byoilipg heat Of the July sun. With
al, there was a look Of shrewdness and
tuowledgcnfthc world about him, that
seemed deny his INDECENT appearance.
fle glanced around bin at the well cnl-
tiyaled fields, the comfortable dwellings,
the commodious barns, and the numerous
out.hous,s, aud muttercd:
"Very well situated, whoever they are.
l lls,op and restauaile, ifthey will al
low such q ragshan in the house,
And the last thought seemed to afford
him much pleasure 3'ilst
lie walked up to the front door, which
was open; but the sound Of voices within
drew bis attention. and stopped with his
hand yet raised torap. as
John Hayward, I'm ashamed Of you!'
spoke harsh metallic female voice. "Ihat
ny son should so forget himself fasto ssoop
to even look at my hired help, too much
more to make love to her, is rldiclous..
shameful! Whatissbe? EVERYBODY knows
that Harriet Sinclair is nothing but beg.
gar. at the best; aud how de We know that
she is even as good as that? Yet you per-
sist in seeing something attractive about
her. For my part, do not see bow you
can even look at her. while that splendid
Maria Daltouis here! Yes. John. splendid
is the word. and she is rich, too! You
know her uncle allows her an annuity
sufficient to keep you both in style, and
when he dies she will have the Whole !
cannot see into it; and. John Hayward, |
will not have it'll will send tue girl
away" m
"Ha. ba! ha.p chuckled tho old man at
at the door. Breezy | Do not like
this eaveslropping. but | declare, ! must
hear Johns reply"
"Nloiher. began voice, deeptoned and
calm, yet determined, Il will overlook
your aspersious, for you are angry; batif You
send Hattie away. | shall 60 too. She
shall not como to barn through any means
Of ours. Asto Dalton, Iwill only say
that she can never be my vile" tist
Ha! ha! ha! again chuckled the man at
the door. "ae's the right sort for me -
2 / will risk this Hattie Sinclair With him. =
Now, I'll step around to the other door and
see what there is there"
He cautiously made bis way around to ?
the rear door, which he found open like
tho front. and be also heard voices.
LETS see what the weather is on this
side Of the house" aud be stopped to lis
ten.
Harriet Sinclair, how dare you look
me 10 the face and tsll me tbat?'' came in
shrill. angry tones through the open door
Aud the little old man chuckled again,
and mutterel;
"Whoevertbis Harriet Sinclair is. she
is getting up quitea stir among these folks
| rather like her. There goes that other
one again. I suppose it is i. Maria Dalton;
but she's made a slight mistake" "a
"What do you suppose John Hayward
csros for you9 You have not even preS.