The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-10-29
"Alabel you're a veritable GOOSE

m not angling Tor compliments,
if you please" said Miss Henry; and
kept her own counsel after that.
Two weeks of almost daily inter-
course sufiiced 10 show Mabel that
Cliff Alden had no tendency to adj
miro Scotch ballad or Tennyson.
He was entirely too common place,
"too absurdly sensible for her, she
decided. And then liked him NIL the
better for the decision.
Did he propose? Yes just three
months from the day oftheir meeting,
and in this wise:
mabel, we are very agreeable, and
like each other, Ihope. Suppose you
become my wife?p
That was his proposal; never a
word of love-not even a demonstra-
ton of anxiety as to the loss or gain.
1t was his way, she decided, and ac-
cepted him.
1t was early in September that he
asked her to marry him. 1t was ear.
ly October when he came to her in
the dusk Of Intervening, and with a
ring Of yearning usefulness in his
quiet, unsteady tones:
mabel, did you ever love anyone
before me?' he asked her, so abrupt
ly as to startle her.
eyes" she said.
"And you quarreled-this lover
and YOURSELF"
"Not at all; we merely parted"
"You really loved this man, Ma
bel?" qucstioningly
"After the fashion of most girls at
the age of seventeen. We parted
however, and that settled every
thing"
"But if he were to come back to
you the same man he was when you
parted-were he to come back now,
asking that the past be forgiven"
II would tell him that | had for
gotten the past and him."
Cliff sat down on low camp stool
at her feet.
Mabel" he said, "more than two
years ago | learned to love woman
with all the passionate fervor of Il
life's first and only love. / wooed
her, and gained her affections. A
few months after our betrothal we
differed, quarreled, parted, determin-
ed never to look upon each other
again. Then after long while l
came to Summit. We met, and the
rest you know. DO not hink me
trcacherous, Mabel, in asking your
love when l did. l admired you as
much as was possible with the men,
DRY of Marion Muye lying between
us. | meant to be true and faithful
to you; but last night Marion Maye
came TO Summit View!"
His voice ceased entirely; and it
was well for Mabel's overtaxed en-
durance. For second the globe seem.
ed Keeling beneath her. Then she
struggled to her feet, and slipping
his ring from her finger, dropped it
in to his hand.
"And you have confessed wrongs,
and rightcd them, All, well, SO be
it, There is your troth, Mr.. Alden;
take it, and my sincereA wcll-wishes.
hope you may be very happy!
Good byc!"
She watched him walk down the
road until the bend closed around
him and separated their lives forever.
She cried, of course: it was only con,
sistent with her womanhood that
she should. By-and-by the moon
crept up, and with its first streak Of
light Mark Hamilton walked into
Mabel's presence.
"Mabcl!" said he, in horror.
ooh, it's you, is it?" said Mabel,
ungraciously enough. "Well, he's
gone"
Precisely what l thought myself,
dear" said Mr.. Hamilton. "You see,
unwillingly heard few of your re-
marks while searching for sheet
of legal cap in the hall. l know the
whole thing Mabel, and pity you a
trifle more than you deserve"
81 know I've been a great fool y
said self-accusing Mabel.
"And l am going to be another,
just to be even with you, l know