The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-04-13

cold form, where l was sobbfng out
my childish agony, and covering my
thin, chilled limbs in her own velvet
cloak, carried me in'her arms to her
carriage, to her hume, to luxury, ease
and love- Ineyer had been loved
ny mother. loved gin, and not her
ls4ae heT q Snatured, beaten wheA
drink aroused a brutal demon in her
heart. tell this that it may be un-
derstood what l owed to Marjorie
Wallace. No, 1 can never tell it,
She carried me to her home; she
clothed me in garments as soft and
as fine as her own; she shared every
luxury of her splendid home with me
she gave me teachers for all studies
suited to my age, AS | grew to wo-
manhood she introduced me to society
as her adopted sister. Best fall, she
loved mc!
She was twenty-five when she took
me home, and for eight years l can
recall only happiness. had no
whim ungratifed, no reasonable wish
crossed or denied. If l had been in
deed the sister she called me she could
not have lavished upon me more ten
der care and affection.
When l was eighteen l hada lover
who won my whole heart. | gave
him love, unconsciously, and when
his words showed me what my own
sensations meant l shrank back af-
frighted With the intuition ofdeop,
grateful affection,I i knew that Marjor-
lie had wrapped up her life in mine.
She stood utterly alone in the world.
Her paid companion and housekeep-
er was u matron ofmiddlc age, whose
whole soul was absorbed in preserves,
pickles, and crochet work. In her
loneliness she had taken me into her
great noble heart, and when Ileft her
| knew should leave her desolatc.
So shrank back from the avowal
that was such an cctdsy of delight,
such a sclf-reproach, Thought
| had conqured all traces of emotion
in my face as | went from the garden
where we had walked-my lover and
myself-to Marjoric's sitting room.-
But she looked into my face, with her
soft, beautiful eyes shadowed by a
troubled inquiry,
"Have you Quarrclcd with Stcph-
cn?" she asked.
"No-I have not quarrclod-we-
that isl do not think he will come
again"
For the first time she frowncd
stcrnly.
as it possible that you are that
base triher, a coqucttc," she said, in
voice full of Indignation, chat you
have led Stephen to believe you low
ed him only from vanity, and have
rejected his honest, truclove?"
In my deep pain that she could so
misjudgc me l sobbcd out the truth,
that | loved Stephen, but it seemed
to me base ingratitudc to desert
her.
Child! child" she said, softly,
gathering me in her arms, "IIcaven
forbid your life should be sacrificed
to me! Did you ever hear among our
friends of my love story?"
"Ncvcrm | said, earnestly. But |
knew there was great grief in your
life, some time, could see that in
your eyes, even in your smile. 1t is
tender and sweet but never joyous"
"Whon was your age" she said,
stroking my hand as she spoke, a
was called handsome, and l was as
light-hcartcd as a bird, My orphan
hood was an event so long past that
| have no recollection of my parents
but my uncle was father and dear
companion to me. Hewasa wealthy
man, and gave me every advantage
wealth can bcstow, And when Arm
old II alcombc--"
l Istartcd at that name, but Marjor-
lie did not notice continuing her sto-
ry: