The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1875-07-15
ished the sympathetic Butterfly

He doesn't expect Us I'll I'VE y ci0cA'
If you don't think it's proper to sit
alone by the poor fellow, why you
can persuade your aunt to leave her
bedroom, which she 50 rarely leaves,
and keep you company. As for me,
lean 60 home in the Briggs wagon"
ofcourse Viola accepted this prop,
osition, and surrendered her table TO
the beatifed Cornelia Briggs. The
ride back to the homestead was sew
eral degrees hotter than the ride
therefrom had been. But Viola
didn't mind the heat much, though
she had complained considerably
while being driven to D.. Cir
cumstances very materially alter
cases sometimes.
On reaching the homestead, she
found its lower hall quite as quiet
as she had anticipated, Something
caused her to enter the large seldom
used parlor before going up stairs to
the apo0r sufferer" Or. rather, it
would be best to say that something
caused her to havesuch adesire only,
for, when she reached the threshold,
Viola paused.
The door was partially ajar, andthe
parlor had two inmates neither Of
whom had observed her soft approach
although any moment might reveal
to them her presence.
Viola lifted her hand to her eyes
and for a brief period actually rubbed
them to persuade herselfthat she was
not dreaming.
Right IN front OF the nantel, With
his hands under his coat-tails, and his
legs well stretched apart, and alight-
ed cigar in his mouth, stood Mr.. Del
mayne! The 'Poor sufferer had been
suddenly and miraculously freedfrom
his torment. Viola felt as if pure as
constituent were gradually ossifying
her while she stood and watched
him.
Games" he now remarked to the
other occupant of the room who was
standing near, and who had again
and again been enjoined by Viola and
Miss Butterfly never to lose sight Of
their invalid during their absence
"James, my man, l think III go up
stairs. It's sort of-of dangerous
down here, don't you know? Any Of
the servants might pop in here at
any moment. Pm glad I've let You
into my secret, James, becausoif [
hadn't somebody near me who knew
the whole thing l should be able to
carry it through.
At this moment Viola dashed into
the parlor.
You abominable fraud" she began
in the most successfully melodra-
matte of screams. How dare you en-
ter a respectable family in this
shameful way? Who are you? What
are you? To think that I've been
wasting pity on you, and came home
from the fair in this broiiing sun to
nurse you! Oh, its enough to turn 4
ladys mind with rage! Please leave
the house directly. don't believe
your name is Delmayne at all. l
dare say it's Smith or Jones. Ugh!
you wretch, you!'
The pseudo-invalid was standing
very penitently now before his fair
annihilator, having more or less re,
covered from his frstshock Of amaze
ment at Viola's unexpected cntrec.
my name isn't Delmayne," he said
with meekness, 'tnor yet Smith, nor
yet Jones. 1t is but perhaps YOU
would rather not know"
q don't care one way or the other!r'
exclaimed Viola. "Why should !
care? Go away from this house
You're a vile impostor!'
"rm so sorry you think So" was
the gentle response; because I'm
Ebert Duane"
These simple words were to poor
Viola like the bursting OF a bomb
shell, white she stood before this man
in a condition of astonishment even
greater than that which had resulted
from the first discovery Of his impos.
ture.
He hurried up to her side, and be,
gan speaking rapid words:
Forgive me; butafter all, is there
so vay much to forgive? While DR..
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