The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-03-06

ing. In vain | pleaded that she lor-
AS he raised his eyes and bowed to
Arthur, he smiled sadly then went
on slowly down the stream. l had
noticed, as he raised his eyes and
rested them on my friends face that
they wore a far away look, that some,
times belongs to those whose present
lives are a blank, and whose mono
ries are with the past. / turned to
Arthur, and said
"Tell me Of that old man. What
is it in his life that has weighed so
heavily upon it, and, if ] may say it,
unbalanced is his mindl'
"Yes, Albert, you are right re-
piled Arthur. Mr.. Grey has known
sorrows crown of soTow' the past,
to him, ls one full Of rouble, and
those hours ofanguishkhd suffering
dethroned a bleiuteheot, and made
him for while the;tSsnate of mad
house, He is now spfcctly harm
less and rational; leads i quiet, lone
ly, and holy life, on onder noun
tain, and not far from this lonely
river, upon whose waters he spends
much Of his time in fishing, seldom
leaving his hum6!e sonie but. for
that purpose, But@ib bn you go to
his home he seems glad 10 have you
come, is very kind and pleasant, but
always sad; for the gloon that settled
on his soul years agoshas never been
entirely removed. If ! ou would like
to hear his tale of sorrag, | will give
it to you as he related 1to me, one
winter evening when tat with him
in his lonely home.
81 had gone to spondIthe evening
with him, to cheer him if l could.
1 found him sitting bpSde small
table, before a bright fie, the only
thing that sent a raya cheerfulness
through the gloomy fo b Height
ed his lamp, and bade4 4se be seated;
on the table was an open Bible
Near it lay a frame q gold, encir-
ling one of the fairess lees / ever
saw, l fcasted my Ora moment
upon The picture lovolincss,
and then withdraw thsh, lest he
should see me gazirig ppon that
whlhiI knew he deeH ed q very sa
cred sreasure, and she suafe of ons
.NhopasI lSnewgssi y link
ed with bis unhappy pass' EIe re,
mained resting his head on his hand
in silence, for some moments longer
I waited his time to speak; finally
he turned his eyes on Inc, aud, as lie
wiped tear from his cheek, said
arthur, my boy, I am glad you
have come to the old mans home to
night; my heart is very, very sad. l
have been looking into the dim, aud
to me, horrid past; it has caused me
much pain, but l feel that my heay
enly Father has forgiven me for that
dark deed done in my youth. ]
know that he has been exceedingly
good to me. l have cast all my load
upon him, and he has lifted me up,
aud helps me to endureand be strong.
But as a warning to you will tear
the veil from before the wre!chcd
picture of the past, and tell you the
sad story ofan old mans wasted life,
and let you see the shadows of that
dark picture. Though for years rea-
son had no sway with me, and my
mind was as Il blank, l am sanenow.
Listen to me.
a was once happy, like yourself,
and they told me my eyes, like yours,
were full Of the light of love, an my
step firm, my bearing manly. l was
high-spirited. too. Alas that should
have had so much of my siro's reveng-
full spirit! l loved; she was one who
was indeed lovely to look upon.
Take that picturo-look at it, and
tell me, could you behold that fair
white brow, and live in the light of
those loving blue eyes, without CIV
ing her that homage and devotion
which that face and pure, womanly
nature demanded? All, mol hearts Of
sterner stuff than mine or yours
we're her slaves and knew no law
but her will"
81 loved her too well, aud she was
to be mine. Those rosy lips had
whispered to me words full of tender
promises that can never forget and