The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-10-27

From their post Of vantage they
saw-half a dozen counties spread out
far down below. The forests, were
dwarfed by the distance to the pro-
portion Of raspberry thickets. The
road looked a dusty, white streak
The rivers wound along like silver
ribbons; and the farm houses were
mere dark dots upon the level space.
Theo's dark eyes seemed TO widen
and deepen as she gazed.
Oh, how glorious!" shecried. "But
how dreadfulF'
She turned pale. The mountain
scare" was upon her. She could not
withdraw her fascinated, terrified
gaze. Yet she felt that, should she
Hook buta moment longer, the deep
void below would SO temptand draw
her that she must cast herself down
to meet it and-deatM
"Lean on me- said Clarence Hes.
ter, noticing her sudden change Of
color: 81
He folded her closelgtoshi heart,
drawing her back from the danger,
and whispering, all the while, such
words as he had no right to utter,
and she no right to listen to.
Theo, dearest, would be glad to
defend you from every danger that
you will ever incur. Only give me
leave-only say the word, darling,
and don't throw yourself and your
beauty away on a man like George
Harding, who is
"Don't say anything against
George!" she said, interrupting him
"He is only too good to me-"
Good to you, perhaps, but not
good enough for you. You must al.
low that. Theol many an empress
would give her crown for a face and
figure like yoursl And you are going
to bury both in the home of that
awkward, silent, stupid mani"
"George is not-George is good and
true and nobel" she said, family
: "Of course, l shall be his wife.
have promised"
promises may be broken, Theo.'
"Not NINE"
"But, Theo-"
"Please don't talk-I mean, don't
ask me to talk" she said. 81 feel
frightened yet from looking down
there, over the brink, and weak and
dizzy. Let me sit down for few
J moments, and then we must go back
w Vic UVllGlS.
"By heavens, you shall hear mel
said Clarence, angrily. "And give
me an answer too. ~ am no George
Harding, to endure. woman's ca
|prices, and love her all the more the
worse she uses me! Tell me at once
Theo, if you will give him up anc
be my wife!"
"No, indeedr' cried Theo, turning
paler still. "Pray come away anc
Join the others at once, Mr.. Hesterl'
"Mr. Hesterl" he repeated, half be
side himself with rage and disap
pointed vanity. "Do you think yor
can trile with me like this?"
He flung his arm around her waist
, drawing her roughly near, and ben
to kiss her.
"No, no-neverm shrieked Theo.
) With her levity she was, beneath
the surface, a modest, true-heartet
girl,
She struggled hard to free herself
: She succeeded at last. But they
were again on the dangerous brink
One false step, one wild scream, ant
Theo was gone.
Clarence Hester barely saved him
, self from falling, by vigorous back
ward spring. And, being safe, h,
cursed himself as q murderer, anc
! flung himself face downward on tn,
! ground.
They found Theo half an hou,
later, many feet below the noun
; tain's brink, lying senseless but still
living, with q disfgured face ant
shattered limbs.
/, /, Clarence Hester shrank from til,
! ! sight. On that very evening he lef
the mountains for bis city, home, ant
> met Theo Mayson in this world N,
3 more.
But Geore Harding laid that dis
figured face on his breast coverin,