The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-07-20

II have q little business at your
husbands office. Please excuse me
for not being able to enjoy your call y
'certainly; I shall only stay a few
minutes"
Mr.. Sterling went out with them,
and, as the door closed, Mrs. Cherry
said:
what possible business can she
have at my husbands Office after G
o'clock? His hours are from-7 to 12,
and from 1to3
f. "She is in danger Of losing some Of
her property, through her unele's
nephew, and Frank promised to GO
with her to consult your husband
this evening. He can't leave the
store in the daytime"
at seems to me Mr.. Cherry is very
obliging to her. | never knew him
to be SO accommodating before"
"WelL you needn't be afraid Of
Irene; she's as true as the stars above
u.s."
why, Mrs. Sterling, Mrs. Palmer
told me you had good reasons TO be
jealous Of her."
81 have been told that at least six
times day for a month past, but l
don't believe q word of it."
"You don't. Didn't your husband
give her ring?"
eyes, her engagement ring. The
solitaire was loose, and she came near
losing it. Frank took it to the jew.
eler's, and twice forgot to call for it;
and one day she said, "Now, Frank,
don't forget" She told me she felt
like widow, without her ring.
"Do you think her very beautiful,
Mrs. Sterling?"
"Yes; hers is high style of beauty.
She is rather tall, willowy, graceful
motion, beautifully shaped head,
bright blue eyes, chestnut hair, as
fine and soft as silk, fine teeth, fair,
low, broad forehead, and white chin
tinted like blush rose. Yes. l call
her very handsome"
"Well, | don't consider her half so
handsome as you; but your husband
told Mr.. Cherry he thought her the
handsomest woman he ever saw"
81 am glad my husband has such
good taste. If he should say ] was
the handsomest woman he erever' saw,
l should be ashamed of his judg-
ment."
"Well, Mrs. Sterling, I thought
would just warn you little, but see
| get no thanks for my pains"
ooh, yes, thank you, Mrs, Cherry.
It's delightful to hear all the gossip
of country village. Do call again
it gives US any amount Of sport
Irene enjoys it too, amazingly"
Mrs. Cherry went home indignat,
not knowing what to think of Ida's
conduct.
Frank Sterling was a thriving
young merchant who had come from
a neighboring city with his accom-
plished wife, to the town of Marys-
vile 10 engage in business. His
motherin-law had alwayslived there,
but Ida Mckay had many advantages
over her companions. She was rich,
and had wealthy relatives in the
city, where she spent her winters
Her education was not confined to
the limits Of the village high school,
but she had spent four years at COL
legc, with her cousin Irene as a
roommate. They became insepara.
BILE, though Irene was naughty and
Ida gentle and approachable. When
Frank Sterling won the sweet win
some girl he became as a brother TO
Irene. There was no thought of jeal-
ously in her heart, for he chose her
before the proud beauty. Ida had no
idea what talk her coming TO the
village would make. She was al.
most as much a stranger as her
cousin.
Mrs. Mckay was frightened when
the first tale reached her, and hurri-
ed away to warn her daughter. The
girls took it as good joke, and re-
solved to see how great a fire a little
matter might kindle. Frank was
taken into their confidence, and
without departing one step outside
of the stricteSt proprietv, with their