The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1876-10-26
Ralph

Ralph. "
1t won't do, I want at least twenty
dollars more"
81 can't ask papa, Ralph without
telling him you were here.n
"No, no; you mustn't go to him.
Can't you get it somehow, janet
You always were so clever"
Her troubled eyes brightencd.
"Can YOU come again? On Friday
l shall get the money for the alter
cloth am cmbroidoring."
"Yes, will come on Friday night.
You are a good child, and I'm ras,
cal to take your earnings, Good
night, Janet.
She clung to him, her tears falling
fast,
ooh, Ralph look up yonder at poor
mammals grave. Ralph, Ralph,
won't you do better?
'Iu try, Janet; l will, 'pon my
honor" he replied, with emotion,--
"Good night"
Through the restof'the week Janet
worked steadily at her alter cloth,
silent and thoaghtful,
a shan't get the pink corals, nor
go to the ball, papa. Please don't
ask me why" was all she said.
And respecting her trouble, and
perhaps suspccting her scdrct, her
father asked no questions
The night of the ball came. 4
glorious night, the sky like sapphiIp,
u full moon hanging over the. Blue
Mountains. Janet had fnKhed the
aItar-cloth, and had themoney inhey
pocket. she,tl6nght Of tln psei,
pink eofals, and though Sic was VIII
ing to sivo them up for Ralph's
sake, yet her girliSh tears fell like
rain.
She sat under the rose vines as the
twilight fell, and watched the prepa,
ration ut Hardwickc Hall. Lights
began to fash out amid shrubbcry
like fire flies, and the roll of carriage
wheels, and the murmur of voices
grew lnccssant. Just as the first
sounds Of the brass band shook the
summer air, Mr.. Hardwickc appear
ed, bunch of hot-housc flowers in
his hand
q told you I should come early;
and Lillian says you must wear some
of these flowers in your hair then
he stopped, bowildorcd, and STAN
mercd, "But, Janet you are not
dressed"
"No, Mr., Hardwickc; l am not 60
ing
"Not going? Why not?"
"Thcrc are reasons which have
caused me to change my mind. lam
sorry, but"
She stopped short, unable to keep
her voice steady. The young mans
color bIazcd up.
"But you gave me your word that
you would 60" he cried, Indignantly
"and you know l had set my heart on
it,
81 cannot help it," she faltorcd.
"At the last moment you change
your mind and disappoint me-" he
went on, angry that she did not cx-
plain. 81 would not have believed
lit. There is some mystery here"
She made no answer, His anger
increased.
"If You change so easily in one
thing, you will in another" he con-
tinucd, oxcitodly, ~ don't feel safe
in trusting YOU"
Withdraw your trust, then, Mr.
Hardwicke,'
The quiet answer cut him like q
keen blade lie threw the hot house
blossoms at her feet, and turning on
his heel, strobe away.
But he could not rest, lie tried tc
dance, to Danish her from his memo
Try, but in vain, Toward ten o'clock
he left the drawing rooms and made
his way out into the open air,
"I was an idiot to actas | did, She
looked in trouble, poor little thing
She has some reason she cannot tell
perhaps. I'll go back
And back he started, On the cdgt
of the thickct which intorvonod be
tween the Hall and the Rcctory, the
sound of voices arrested him, IL,
turned in the direction of the sount