The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-03-30

"She is my great.aunt, Lady
Leigh = said Janet, without answer,
ing him. "shs died very young, I
believe"
"And who is this ferocious old gem
tleman2" asked Henry, looking at q
very grim painting ina suit Of ar
NOR with drawn sword in hand. He
looks savage enough to swallow the
whole lot Of fhis relations, Janet"
doesn't heS That's Sir Marma-
duke Warden; he was quite as fero.
cioas as he looks, I believe. Nurse
Grantly used to tell me dreadful
story about,him. His only daughter
was very beautiful, andshe wished to
marry n gentleman for whose family
fsir Marmaduke had a great hatred,
We'll, this gentleman persuaded syss
lbil Warden to run away with him.
AS she was descending fronth the@in-
dow Of her room by ladder, her
father was in the west parlor and
heard her lovers voice. He rushed
out with his pistols, and, oh, Henryl
in fury he raised his arm and fred.
sybil received the shot in her sidel"
"old wretchl" exclaimed Henry
Wood, Indignantly. "f l had been
ISybirs lover / would have"
And, without completing the sem
tence, the young man struck the
hilt Of the heavy, silver,mounted
whip he had in his hand upon the
armed breast Of tho knight.
The blow was scarcely struck when
the picture swayed, Henry having
barely time to spring aside and drag
Janet with him as it fell, with a
frightful crash, amid dense clouds of
dust.
"Heavensf' cried Mr.. Wood, as tho
echoes died away, and Janet still
clung to his arm. aWhat a noise
and smother!" Pahl ! am half chok-
ed. My dear Janet, don't tremblos so.
There is no harm DONE"
"Oh, Henry! Lookp cried Janet, as
the cloud of dust gradually cleared
away. "There is a door behind the
picturel What can it be?"
There was, indeed, small door,
with an old-fashioned handle, which
had been completely concealed by
thefallen portrait.
Henry sprang forward and ens
deavored to open it.
"Janet, this is the entrance to some
secret passage, no doubt. How The
door sticks2 Hal at last"
With vigorous tug he pulled it
open, and they both pcered eagerly
into low, dark passage.
II will go and explore" said Hen.
ry. "Do not come, Janet, lest you"
"Oh, l must come, too, Henry. Do
let me-"
Who could resist her pretty plead
ing face? Certainly not Henry; SO
the two entered the passage, stoop-
ing lest they should strike their
heads, Heny going FIRST, with Janet
holding his hand.
Suddenly he stumbled, and stoop-
ing down, cried:
"Here's box, or something, Janet;
let us go back to the light and see
what it is"
Back they went, and found that
the box was evidently an old desk OF
a dressing case; it had been once very
handsome, and was locked.
"By Jovel" cried Henry, excitedlyf
"this is an adventure. Imust break
the lock, Janet"
He raised his heavy whip, and
with one blow shattered the lock-
The lid sprang open, and Janet ut
tered cry.
"oh, Henryl Henry this must ba
poor grandmammas lost dressing
case"
old:fashioned bracelets, heavy gold
chains, gold.jeweled diamond car
rings and brooches lay before tho
astonished eyes Of the lovers, and Ja-
net halflaughed, half-cried, as she
said
Henry, this is fortune; these
jewels must be valuable"
"Yes," replied Henry Wood. 81
think your father had better know Of
our discovery. On the whole, | fancy
that blow Of mine did some good to
the old knight AT all events he re-