The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-12-06
FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE.

uUtel dt w nlLeCllHe TWO lauleS SaL III
conversation, unheeding because un
aware Of u listener behind the closet
blinds of window near them. No
an intentional listener, for he wa
deeply absorbed in the contents Of
newly arrived letter, when the sounC
of his own name attracted his atten
tion. One of the pretty young mat
rons was speaking and said:
81 can't imagine how such aspark
ling, brilliant woman as Mrs. Ian
caster ever came to marry that sol
emn piece Of granite, Edward Ian
caster"
"Solemn piece Of granite! One o
our most profound scholars, Edith
A thorough gentleman, too, and yer.
wealthy"
"Wealthy! repeated the trstspeak
er. 81 suppose that accounts for it
She married him for his money o
course"
"And spends it royalty l can
imagine Edith Lancaster withou
the surroundings of money. lie.
dresses, her jewels, her carriage seems
a very part of her."
"But she would be beautiful in {
print dress and straw hat"
Here she comes now, In her new
yachting dress. Is she not lovely?'
The dark eyes behind the CLOSED
blinds followed the. sameSdirection:a.
those of the two ladies. 2 Coming to
wards the hotel was a merry party
who had been on the water for sew
eral hours, and prominently in {
group OF pretty women was a tall
slender brunette, in jaunty dress o
blue cashmere with gilt buttons ant
a broad hat, from underneath which
could be seen face of exquisite
beauty. Tie perfect oval Of shape
the clear olive complexion and Grim
son cheeks, the regular features anc
large dark eyes, were all in an Ori
entail style; while the masses of pur
pie black hair needed no artifcia
additions to wreath the small, shape
ly head with heavy braids.
She was chatting merrily, anc
laughing as she talked, as if you'll
and happiness were personifed il
her beautiful face.
The man who watched her from
the closed blinds was tall, broad
shouldered and strong featured. Hi
hair, thick and curling, was irol
gray, and piled high above massiy
forehead; his eyes were deep.set, bu
very large and full of earnest expires
sion. Not a handsome man, but on
whose air of distinction was I'm
doubted-a man who would be nc
ticed in any assemblage of men.
As he watched the radiant fgur
in the sunlight, coming towards hin
the shadow upon his brow grew deer
er every moment, till, with a groa
he rose and went to his own room
closing the door behind him.
There was little resemblance
granite in his face as he paced Ii
and down this room. 1t worke
convulsively, and the emotions tina
in woman would have been vente
in passionate tears found expressio
only in an occasional sigh that wa
groan.
He was living over the last thre
years of his life, as he walked u
and down. Until that time he ha
been a scholar only. With larg
wealth, inherited from his father, h
had devoted himself to the acquis
ton of knowledge, living in librar
except when he travelled, always i
pursuit of some light upou favorit
science or study. His money ma
ters were arranged by his lawye
and household affairs by a hous
keeper, while books were his worl
From this scholarly seclusion
the age of 45 he was awakened by
call of friendship, being summone
by an old school.mate who besougl
him to become guardian of a ver
modest fortune he was about to lea,
to his only child, 0beying this sun
mons, Edward Lancaster found h