The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-10-08

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Itheir own apartments to restAMr.
and Mrs. Lancaster, Gertrude and
Mr.. Lane-and thus Ethel was left
alone.
Glancing idly over a London news
paper week old, her eyes CHANGED
to fall upon the following paragraph:
I"We are glad to learn that Mr.. Ed
win Grahame has at last availed
himself of the opportunity afforded
for rest and recreation from his ardu-
Gus labors Gin the scientific cause for
which he came to this country, and
is now travelling in Switzerland,
where he expects to remain about a
MONTH"
She read it again and again, and
her thoughts flew with Lightning
like rapidity back tothat New Years
night, eighteen months ago, when
she last saw Edwin Grahame; and
the thought that he still possessed
her heart, he who had never asked
her for'her love, sent the color to her
face; and although year and a-half
had passed away, the knowledge that
they were so near each other, that
they might possibly meet, made her
heart throb wildly for joy. From
musing over the past, she fell into
dreaming of the future-if she should
meet him; the door opened, her uncle
entered the room, and with him Ed
win Grahamel
Ethel quickly arose, extended her
hand, and they exchanged the usual
greetings of friends long separated.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Lancaster left the
room, to impart the news Of Edwin
Grahame's arrival to the rest Of the
family.
After that day he was constantly
the recipient of invitations to join
them wherever they went, and they
were lively, pleasant party.
During his long absence he had
tried to overcome every trace Of his
love for Ethel, aud he thought he had
succeeded; ;butno, fight it as he would,
the old glamor would leone over him
when with Ethel, and at times he
almost persuaded himself he could
win Ethel now, if he would but ask
her the second time; but no, he would
not risk being rejected twicc--be-
sides, while everything was pleasant
now, why do aught to interfere2
They had been together now
month, and the time was drawing
near when Edwin was to separate
from his friends. No one, from his
demeanor5 would have guessed what
goodbye" meant for him to utter.
1t was late in the afternoon, and
the party were leisurely strolling
homeward, or what was their home
|
at present, Ethel and Edwin being
somewhat in advance of the rest
Ethel carried q few flowers, and
naturally the conversation turned
upon them.
"Are not flowers just the loveliest
things in nature, Mr.. Grahame?"
asked Ethel, looking fondly at them.
eyes," answered Edwin, "they cer-
tainly are very lovely. Who would
think to look upon their innocent
loveliness they had the power to
change the entire future of a man,
that any ones fate rested alone upon
one little rose, seems almost incredi-
bic, does it not?"
Ethel laughed. "It does indeed
in fact, I should say utterly impossi-
BILE. But perhaps you will enlighten
me upon this mysterious power they
can exercise upon us poor mortals."
Edwin looked steadily at Ethel a
moment before answering. Could
she so soon forget7 No. Was she
then but tfifiing with him, and for
the second time7 She looked up at
him, and from that instant these
thoughts fled, and there flashed
through him one which caused his
pulse to thrill with joy-could it be
possible she had never received his
note9
"Ethcl," and he endeavored to pre-.
serve a cool and calm exterior, while
watching her attentiyefy; "Ethel,
did you never hear of q man risking
hiswholo future happiness upon a
little fower"