The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-10-17

er's preearious state, aud then urged his
own cause through his knowledge Of her
devotion to her parent
"rm sure she eau be saved yet he
said, hopefully. "A winter IN Italy, aud
year Of travel afcrward, will bring re-
uewed health. viii you marry me, Cor
al, at once, for your mothers sakc!"
have said before that he was selfish
Ii must have been the fear OF losing
her that made him urge the plea which
could most powerfully sway the e'rls
mind A pallid shade settled over the OK
cuisi,e face he loved todvell upon, aud
the dropping eyes darkcned with some ~
tensi,y Of emotion which locked her slen,
der fingers in a tight clasp. Few women
would have thought it . hard alternative
presented tohcr for Ballicr was accepted
as a star Of euviabe magnitude III the cir
cles W here he moved
He waited for au answer but waited in
vain. Her face was turned away. bu'
she was so rigidly still, still he thought
she he'd not understood him after the shock
his first announcement Ind brought.
Coral, little darling don't despair :
There is hope. | know. viii it not be
| blessed knowledge TINT you have saved
your mothers lifp?-lot the thought make
YOU brave to bear the present danger :
| But Coral, you nave not answered me-
| Her hands closed conyulsiyely one
above the other.
"Givo me little time" she said, aud
! her voice sounded strangely s'liiet
Y
TING! At such crisis, Coral? Have
you no knowledge Of your own hcart!'
Only a lit'le time" she pleaded, hum
bly,. Only until morning
i shall your answer then. Sa'd
Ballier, a little stihly. His sell.conll-
dencc was shaken BY her hesiiancy,
1t sas nearing dusk when they reached
her home again, Mrs. Lynne met them
in her doorway, little anxious, with a
hectic flush upon her cheek which seem
led like a brighter flicker Of life to show
how fragile was tho vase. Coral lifted
tber face forHhrmothet's kiss. rigid ssnd
y s - s ss:V4 4
Ba|licr fingered and the searching eyes
of Cora's mother saw that all was not ye'
decided, but with a woman's tact she kept
clear ofthe subject SO vitality interesting
( TO them all.
1 Coral came down with waterproof
wrapped about her, aud passed quietly out
I into the street. Not unobserved, for
Ballicr had been waiting fora word be-
I fore he could go. lie followed her; but
so swiftly did the light form move
through the swayiug tIrong that, for a
time, he only kept her in view without
lesscning the distance between them :
During that time be had leisure to think,
and continued 10 follow without attempt.
ing to accost her.
Straight on to the park where he had
seen her first. A misgising crcPt into
his mind and he watched her jcaIously
She turned into side path which lay in
shadow and was wholly deserted now, pac-
inp it back and forth for o full hour, ,panslng
now and then to listen, with palpltating
heart and bated breath, as il for the ap.
proach of some one who came not.
The clock in neigtboring stceple
ruue out The our, and drawing her cloak
close about her, she turned to retrace her
steps. Baler came face to face with her
as she passed out through the park gates;
but his fcint of accidental meeting did not
deceive her. He was startled at the Wild
anguish of her blanched face as he saw It
for one instant by the light OF the street
lamp. when she turned tue Indignant
blaze Of her eyes upon him.
4 have not yc. given you the right to
dog my steps, Mr. Ballier. Could you
not be generous enough to lot me ENJOY
ms las, nigh. Of ireedonF
4 forgive your impatieucc of my anxiety
for that much assurance, my Coral-mine
through all the sweets and ills hencelor'h
| am no. demons,rativc man, and shan
endeayor to make answer BY my a'er'ed