The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-11-06

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lhrub, / felt Us though she were a
mere stranger.
courteonslY and quite calmly ]
heard her business. She intended to
contest the will and needed advice, /
gave her what l could. l referred
her toa brother lawyer as the one
who, would best espouse her cause
As.for myselfI told ner truly that
my time was too much occupied to
undertake anything more, and l
wished her success.
She looked.at me wistfully, with
her great blue eyes full Of tears as
she rose to go.
at was cruel of him." she said,
@.cruel to leave me so pooor but he
was never kind, neyer-not in the
honeymoon even"
q regret to hear it," said.
II could expect nothing more,p
she said.
"I did not love him-I never loved
but one-and that one"
She paused and looked at me.
"That one | still love-" she said.
And Heaven knows no feeling of
revenge or petty triumph was in my
heart when looked in Alotta Stan
tens eyes as if did not understand
her, and courteously bowed her out.
did 1 ever care for the womang"
1 thought, "or is it all dreamR" Z
took my adopted child to the
theatre that night and we saw the
Lady of Lyons together. 1t was her
first play-going experience, and she
enjoyed it immensely. She wore q
white dress and bonnet and the cor
al drops had fastened a few days be-
fore in her prettylittle ears. Icou1d
not help looking into her eyes and
touching her hand with mine
When left kissed her.
"Good night my child" Isaid.
And she answered ''good night"
with a cheek dyed on the instant
deeper scarlet, and ran away as Bet
ty came out to chat with me.
From that night dated an old
change. My adopted child seemed
shy Of letting me keep her hand
shy even of chatting as she did. She
was grayer, more womanly, Iifan-
cied she didnot care for me as she
did. Perhaps someo Of these farmers.
y ~ I11 '.e
some Of those young fellows who 50
often escorted her home from church,
had won her from me. Igrew lit
tie moody. 1 found myself in brown
studies when / should have been at
work. AT last / determined to dis
cover whether l was really to lose
my child, and went down to the cot.
tage. l found her there sitting at
work with Betty.
After all it was no easy task. ]
could not do as had hoped, / tried
jesting and spoke of one of the
other young fellows near. 1--WE shall
have Nellie stolen from us, / sup
pose," said. "There is nothing so
easy lost from a family as pretty
daughter. But who is to have you,
Nellie?
She looked at me as children look
before they burst into tears-her
chin quivering, her throat swelling
then she dropped her work and
stole from the room without answer
ing me.
,"What ails the child, BettyH" /
asked. "Have offended herr"
Old Betty stood before me sturdy
and stern-a look in her face that |
had never yet seen there.
"Master Albert" she said, "what-
ever she was when she came here,
Nellie is no child now. Oh, Master
Albert, can't believe you've done
it on purpose. You couldn't-such
a sweet innocent thing-but its done.
All can say is, go away, or let her
go, and maybe the wound would
heal. l ought to have spoken in
time. Twas an old fool, Oh, how
could you, Master Albert? How
could your"
"What have I donoH" I cried, 1
would rather die than harm her."
"And yet you have made her love
you," said Betty, sternly. "You who
knew you would never love her.
You've been yery selfish. Master