The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1877-02-15

NAhhhAlt AiO oGlNAi hlbSA' y NAh . A'St
fropl head to foot, "you have a pret.
ty story, but the streets Of l. are
full of such stories at the present
day. Did | listen to one-half | hear
of the kind, | should have my house
filled with mendicants all the time,
and perhaps few of them would be
worthy of my respect. cannot ac-
ceed to your request"
Mrs. Herbert turned from the in.
hospitable door Of the Rev. Mr.. R.
The cool insolence with which he
had treated her. had almost driven
courage from her heart; but she de,
tcrniincd now to seek n hotel, there
at least to rest herself and decide on
some course of action. She had eat.
en- nothing since morning, indeed
she had not thought of food, but now
she felt faint and weary, and the con-
sciousness that she was alone in "a
strange city, friendle5 and pcnniless,
with the shades of evening already
falling, quite unneryed her. AS she
glanced up and down the street, the
first thing that attracted her attent-
ion, was-not a public house sign,
but in large gilt letters the words
Masonic Hall" Her heart gave 4
quick, joyful jump. Her husband
belonged to the Masonic Fraternity,
and she knew that any duty a Ma
son owed equally to his brother, he
owed equally to that brothers wife
or daughter. She remembered also
that to that noble Order she was in
dcbtcd for nearly all the happiness
She had known in her life. But as
familiar as she had been with its
workings in her native city. she had
never realized is universllity; and
never understood how, like some
grsat talismanic belt, it circles the
Garth, embracing all mankind in its
protecting folds softeuing the asper-
tiles of dissenting reltgipnists.sshed,
dms1lie Purple light Of bye'on tile
fierce rapidsof commercial life, en-
tightening and ennobling politicians,
and harmonizing their conflicting
sentiments upon a sense Of kindred,
Mrs, Herbert paused irresolute.-
What would she now have given for
Il knowledge of one mystic sign, by
which to call her husbands Masonic
Brothers to her side?
Men were passing rapidly up and
down the street; elegantly dressed
ladies were out enjoying the delicious
coulness of the evening, for the day
had been sultry; but among all the
busy throng, there was not ono whom
she felt at liberty to accost.
A gentleman was passing her
leading a little girl by the hand
With a quick gesture she arrested
his step. She had observed nothing
peculiar in the strangers face; in
deed, she had not noticed it all; but
Maltese cross was suspended from
his watch guard, and the moment
she discovered it, she had involun
tarily lifted her hand to prevent his
passing her.
The stranger looked at her inquir.
ingly; she pointed to the cross, and
said, THAT, sir, is why l stopped
you; you will excuse me for address
ing you, and please tell me if yor
are Il Mason?"
/ 81 mn, bn rnnlipd
ooh, sir, my husband is Il Mason
and perhaps you will be kind tt
your brothers wife" =,
"Whcrc does your husband liver
/ an Boston. His name is G. w
| Herbert; he is of the firm Of Herbert
jackson and Co., l. street l an
on my way to him from Wisconsin
but have been robbed of the means o
paving my fare, and the conducto
refused to take me further | have
applied to the Rev. MIR. Ripley, anC
and he turned me insultingly iron
the door"
"The old hypocrite," muttered th'
gentleman. "Mrs. Herbert, my hous
Is but block distant, and is at you
service. Ny wife will make yo'
welcome and comfortable. viii yo'
accept our hospitality% ,
"Gh, sir, how gladly!' And hal
AN hour later Mrs, Herbert was re
froshing herself at the well spread Ia
bic Of Mr.. Henderson, first officer O
Eureka Commandery No, II.
When supper was over, Mr.. Hen
dcrson said to his wife, 81 viii returl
Immediately, Make Mrs, Herbcr
feel at home
lie walked directly to the Office 9
the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany and addressed the following
message to his brother in Boston,
\ ois G. W. Herbert, L. street,
member Of our Order, and hiswiiC II
the WcstY Answer immediately"
When Mr. Henderson retuIne
home he found his wife and Mr.
Herbert in an animated conversation
and he was surprised to note IN
change in the strange lady's appeal
oncc now that sho felt herself anon
friends. IIor face wore 20 gcnuln
nm improssion Of sweetness and pun
I,,,,org,iion yls 90 CXprCA