The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-11-13

friendship for him. Ralph was pooi
at that time, bdf Industrious. and
honest, promising fairly enough ID
live o life as profitable to othersas'tt
himself, andas handsome an Amer.
ican as you'll meet with from Maine
to Texas.
He was in old Marblehead's store
and many attempts were made Il
pump all his knowledge of that mys.
terious household out of him, but he
was wisely sllentand kepthis tongue
behind his white, even teeth when.
ever 1ke's private affairs were
broached.
. Old Marblehead professed to be
greatly interested in Ralph, giving
him plenty of advice after the fash,
ion Of mon generally, who, forgetting
the proclivitieS of their own youth,
would have twenty-five think and
act like three score. and ten.
Before long, Alice Marblehead and
her uncle's clerk came TO an under.
standing, Ralph'feared that his EN-.
ployer would reject his proposal, but,
obeying Alice, who was too conscicn.
tious to keep an affair Of such i'm,
portance from the knowledge of her
guardian, he told him frankly how
matters stood and was both surpris-
ed and delighted to receive his con-
sent to their union. ri1,r
"In a years time, if you still like
each other well enough" said the
grim old man, "you shall marry, and
I'll set you up in business.
II was a joy to live months after
The promise, but misfortune was in
store for all, and Ralph Peaton had
TO go through much suffering before
he received the prize.
One Sunday evening as old Mar
blehead, in company with his niece
and Ralph, was going to his particu-
lar place of worship, an Unlocking
stranger, shabbily attired, travel
weary and travel-stained, met him
face to face and claimed his acquain-
tance with a mock demonstration Of
respect and pleasure. Ike Marble
head, pale as death and shaking as
if in an ague-ft, bade his niece and
Ralph proceed to the chapel, and
turned into his house, followed by
the stranger.
"You don't look as we'll as you
were; Nom Brady,a'said thestFaHger,
seating himself before the stove
"By the way, what name do you go
under now? Turned honest in your
old age, eh?'
The old man glared at him like a
wild beast at bay.
"Don't play with me, Nike" he
said hoarsley. You know me of old.
1 am dangerous man."
"Cool down." returned Mike, cross
ing his legs, and looking old Marble
head straight in the eyes. 81 am
not here to play with you. You
have given me the slip for six years,
and, to judge from appearance, you
seem to have prospered. l haven't.
I'm pretty nearly played out and
must ask you to put me on my legs
again. First of all give me some
thing to eat"
Marblehead placed some meat and
bread on the table and waited silent
ly until his unwelcome visitor salts
fed his appetite.
"That young lady was very like
an old acquaintance of mine," said
Mike at last, throwing himself back
in his chair.
Old Marblehead shuddored and hid
his face with his hands,
"Just lik Jack Geary," continued
Mike, musingly. "As fine fellow
as ever breathed was Jack, but d lit
tie too fond of knocking about the
world. first met him in Mexico
sixteen years ago, where he went
gold hunting with a friend OF mine
called Tom Brady. Three weeks af-
ter, riding from San Antonia de Bex-
ar, 1 found Jack Geary, dead and
doubled up, lying alongside the track,
and Tom Brady's knife was up to the
hilt in his heart"
Old MarblehGad groaned.
ave got that knife now" resum-
cd Mike, drawing it from his pocket,
and passing his thumb over the edge,