The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-01-26

dill had thought Of Olive Dodworth,
the brilliant young actress, even then
playing at one Of the minor city
theatres.
"Does he care for her YETI" Daffodil
asked herself; and there came no sat
isfactory answer to the query.
And SO it happened that tonight
as she stood among her geraniums,
looking out at the sunset, she was not
quite happy.
"In old times" said the bride of
six months to herself, "John was all
ways home to take me for a walk in
the twilight. He never thinks of it
now"
Were Aunt Jocasta and Mrs. Nudge
right, after all? Was man a delusion,
and life a dreary series of disappoint.
ments2
AS these dispiriting reflections
passed through her mind, she was
startled by the unexpected sound of
a footstep too light and elastic to be
that of her husband.
She turned and was amazed tossee
in the indistinct light. the tall fig
ure of a beautiful young lady, richly
dressed, and wearing such a Partisan
bonnet as poor Dafodil had never
seen before.
"Pardon me for intruding," said
the lady, with royal air, "but are
these Mr.. Grey's rooms?"
"They are," said Daffodil, sum-
moning all the dignity at her con-
troll, and secretly wondering if this
might not be the bette noire Of her
thoughts and fancies-Miss Dod-
worth. 'But l did not hear you
knock"
81 did not Knock" said the anony-
nous fair one, with hauteur.
Daffodil colored.
II am Mrs. Grey" said she quick
ly.
pardon me-" said the lady, 81 am
Mrs. Grey. l suspected something
of this new order of things" with q
contemptuous curl of her lip, "and |
have come on from Chicago to coun-
teract it."
Madame" said Dafodil, standing
very erect, although she could feel
herself trembling all over, "you must
be insanel l was married to Mr..
Grey on the first day of January"
The lady laughed-a hard, mirth-
less laugh.
Indecd' said she. "And was
married to him on the sixth Of Octo.
Der, two years ago. Poor child" as
the palor overspread Dafodil's coun-
tenance, Il don't suppose you are to
blame, but in this hard world We
have to suffer for one another's
crimes. Where is he?"
T-don't know" family admitted
the bride.
"Humph!" said the lady, compress,
ing her lips. "He is at his old tricks,
| see. Well, l can wait. You don't
ask me to be seated, but shall take
the liberty without your permits
SION"
And she sat down, flinging back
the folds of her rich India shawl,
Daffodil watched her with silent dis
may.
2 Was this true? Had John Grey
really deceived her? He whom she
had loved SO entirely, trusted so in
'fnitely? If this was really so, there
was no truth in all the world
The shadows gradually deepened;
the clock on the mantel licked as
busily as if it were running a race
against time-and still the two sat
there, silent, speechless, each dread
ing, yet longing, to hear John Grey's
footsteps on the stairs.
AT last he came.
Sitting in the dark, pet?" he
cried, merrily, as he crossed to the
mantel and lighed the gas;jet. ~
must see your dear little face, for |
have something to tell you which"
He checked himself abruptly, for
at that moment he caught sight of
the pale, beautiful stranger in the
Partisan hat and glistening India
shawl. He turned to Dafodil.
"Who is this LADY," he asked.
81 do not know her." she answer
cd. Do not your"
MNnunr nur hnr hn Eo.n Z, Ill