The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-08-02
WALKING hurriedly away.

g1Zer felt that the man suueIeui tbas
the glorious sunset was as naught to
him. Perhaps it was in the tightly
clasped hand, the veins of which
stood like great cords; or, maybe the
mans apparent total disregard of his
surroundings.
To the right Of the picture the
figure of a young girl, trailing par
asol in the sand, as she appeared to
move slowly in the opposit direction
from her companion. Only little
bit of q delicate shaped ear and a mass
of glossy braids showed from beneath
the shade hat, bat one could readily
believe that the pretty girlish figure
belonged to an equally attractive
face.
About half way between them,
traced upon the sands, were the
words, "Fame versus Love-"
at is not lovely Edwin" and Mrs.
Bennett laid her hand upon her
husbands arm as she added:
"Yet how sad it somehow seems.
l can't help feeling sorry for them.
| wish l could see their faces. / feel
as if wanted to turn them round"
Clasping the little hand that rest.
ed so con6dingly upon his arm, Ed
win Bennett inwardly thanked God
for the gift Of his fair young wife, as
he said:
"Come, dear, they are commence.
ing to close up. Baby's tired too"
"Ess, mes tired. Baby's wants to
tiss mamma" lisped the child, hold
out her tiny arms.
Husband and wife failed to notice
q lady who stood near, gazing at a
painting. AS the pretty young
mother stopped down to receive her
baby's kisses, which the little one
lavished on her cheeks, lips and
brow, deep, yearning look'gathered
in the strange lady's eyes and she
turned hastily away.
ooh, Edwinl" exclaimed his wife
as they passed the silent figure in
black. "Wouldn't it be nice if baby
should grow up to be great artist
like this Miss Armstrong"
"God forbid, ANNIE" came the
earnest reply, followed by "let her
grow mp to be true, loving womanl
that is all l ask" The lady's hand
frightened its hold upon the back Of
a settee no the words reached her
ears, but she did nov .~~ue until they
were out Of sight. Then lifting Aar
veil she went and stood before the
painting that had won such fame
Tears gathered in her eyes as she
gazed, and with the words, ~ will
never looh at 1t again." she, too,
passed out Of the building, and in
her own handsome carriage was
driven home.
Scorn shone in her dark eyes as
they fell upon the costly works Of
art scattered in lavish profusion
about her luxuriously furnished
apartments. Hastily throwing aside
her wraps, she crossed over to a mir
ror. A very handsome face it reflect
ed. Not looking the thirty years it
had known.
Helen Armstrong-for it was she
had heard Of Edwin Benefits mar
riage; heard that he had succeeded
in business beyond his most sanguine
expectations; heard that his wife was
one Of the loveliest and gentlest of
women, and that Edwin Bennett idol
lied both wife and child. This day
she had seen them.
Then came the thought that she
might have stood in that wife's place;
she, too, might have had those baby
lips pressed as lovingly to hers; but
she had put it from her. She had
chosen Fame versus Love. If she
could only go back to that day on the
sands, how differently she would now
act.
Turning away from the mirror,
she exclaimed bitterly:
"Too late, Helen Armstrong. AS
you have sown, so must you reap"