The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-09-20

permitted even 10 u mournef. Eu-
phemia's elaborate preparations were
all made in the city, under the moth
er's eye, while she was drinking in
bliss and pure air at Desborough;
and her wardrobe was a curious ex.
position Of the delicate shades into
which grief can be carried as an ele-
ment of costume. 1t would have
suited her present disposition better
had it been bridal. But, with the
vein of cool sense that endowed her,
although neither she nor Stephen
had any more doubt of their mutual
passion than Romeo and Juliet, she
would not consent to an open engage
ment till some months Of absence
had tested their sincerity and con.
stancy. For three months no letters
were to pass between them. AT the
end of that time he was TO write to
her, if still he held to his purpose;
and if she too was constant, then the
thing should be declared.
She went to Newport, and made
her expected sensation there. For
can there be a lovelier thing than a
beautiful young girl, with glancing
eyes and shadowy curls, and smiling,
mischieyous lips, all illustrated by a
Ncomplexion of soft rose.blush and
pearl, agrayed in films Of whitest lace
or cleaning gauze, her only jewelry,
strings of pure pearls, garlands of
spotless roses her only flowers, and
the dark, delicate head unadorned
except by its heavy, shining coil,
and rings! People went fairly mad
about her beauty, her grace, and her
exquisite dresses, and the very best
match of the season grovelled at her
feet, in the ugly person of Pierre Slu.
tyer, the billionaire of the country.
How she hated him! How she
shrank from the clammy, trembling
hand, the lecring protubcrant eye,
the weak mouth, and lank, shamb-
ling figure that stood as u digit be.
fore SO many ciphers! How glad she
was to be able to refuse the honor of
his hand, with calm distinctness;
aud how furious was her mother!
"That is just Phema's wayl" she
declared again to her aggr;eytd friend
who should have been the maiden's
mother.in-law. 81 told you her ca
prices were never to be relied on"
every well!' answered the outra.
ged Mrs. Sluyter. "She is the only
woman in America who would have
refused Pierre, He will easily con
sole himself"
Nc.doubt Phema enjoyed the sea-
son, She was a natural and healthy
girl, spoiled a good deal to be sure;
four months with Aunt Allen, and u
real love affair, had done much to
improve her. She enjoyed heartily
the gayety Of Newport, and still more
the drives, the walks, the sails Of
that enchanted sojouur. She was
not above girlish pleasure in her
beautiful costume and the great ad,
miration she excited. She knew her
own brilliant beauty was far better
illustrated by the absence of color in
her dress than it would have been
by the prevailing tints Of the day;
and she liked to be liked, as most
women do. To be loved, was anoth.
er matter. This seemed to enrage
her, and from that a wiser eye than
her mothers might have discovered
that her heart was preoccupied.
But when at the end of three
months love letter as ardent and
faithful as the most exacting heart
could ask, arrived at her city home
and awoke as fervent response, in
the freNh hope and courage of the
hour, she laid all the facts before her
mother, Imagine the sccnc!-the
rage the tears, the threats, the dis
pair Through it all Phema stood
calmly waiting for this tempest to
subside.
"This is just your way!" were the
first coherent words that burst from
Mrs. Bayard's lips; words that phe.
ma had heard so often from the lips
of her mother and her nurses that
now they gave an air of homely hu-
NOR to the tragic scene, and the girl
laughed.
This was fuel to the fire, Mrs.