The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-08-13

this 'iie knowing her TO be with
in. But whenit twas opened ant
he confidently framed the phrase
notiis 9 aquery, but an assertion
sMrs Bracegirdle at homeGg anc
proposed Immediately to enter, The
maid said shortly, eNo, she is not
and quickly shut Che door upor
him.
no words can describe his feel
ings He stared blankly at tn,
handsome door, well shut and firm
that suddenly hadlclosed upon hin
and separated him from his love
What gould ihisawful thing meant
Had hIfs. Bracegirdle heard some
ding false, Of course, and uttered
by sssAe other base admirer Of hel
daughter which had made hel
take this cruel stepR 1t was i'm
possible to guess. IT was impossi
bic to knock again and ask; il was
ridiculous to stand staring at the
door. He turned to decend the
steps and walked down the street
Before he had gone half way he
met a hated rival, a very fine fel.
low, whom he had only begun Il
hate in the last three or four days
since he had noticed Miss Brace
girdle sometimes gave him very
charming and Encouraging glances
Captain Fortescue walked on slow.
ly and listened for the confident
rat.a.tat tat of his rival. He heard
it, listened and looked back. The
door opened and the visitor in.
stantly admitted.
The unhappy man who had been
turned away from that same en-.
trance, sighed heavily and went
away down the sunny street, hang.
ing his head. He told himself
that it would be only a foil or a
madmon who could pretend to mis-.
understand so plain a refusal as
this. Perhapsit was meant kindly,
he thought, and groaned at the
thought. Miss Bracegirdle was NO
coquette, and did not care to have
men offer her their love when she
had no intention of accepting it.
He was SO desperately enamored Of
her that he busted himself in try.
ing to sec this cruel cut as q kind
deed. His hopes were gone; but he
could not bear so suddenly to lose
his idol, He determined he would
not worry her by his unwelcome
presence where she could no easily
avoid him, nor permit himself to be
laughed ut by his successful rival.
So he excused himself from certain
engagements at houses where he
knew he should meet her. lie
gave up dancing and took to cards
instead.
"AIamma," said Miss Bracogirdle
one day, "dosen't II seem odd that
that for three weeks Capt Fortes.
cue has not called?"
1T does," said Mrs. Dracegirdle,
"and yet, when leone to think Of
il, we have not met him ont anv.
where, either. He must be i'll, OF
more likely he has gone out Of
town. He will call when he comes
back"
This she said, nothing that hel
daughter looked a little pale and
out Of sorts. But, secretly, she was
uneasy herself. Capt, Fortescue
had shown signs Of being SO hot q
wOoor that it seemed very i'm,
probable he would leave town with
out word TO them. AT the next
opportunity she quietly made some
inquiries about him, aud learned
that Capt. Fortescue was neither
i'll nor out oftown. This was bat
news, indeed; for Mrs. Bracegirdlt
knew perfectly well that hel
daughters heart was seriously
touched; and, as Capt, Fortescut
was perfectly eligible" all hat
promised fairly. Now that fail
promise was destroyed. There wai
nothing to be done, except try, BY
other distractions, to erase the i'm
preston which Capt, Fortescut
had made. Mrs, Bracegirdle de
voted herself to her daughter more
tenderly than ever, and the CIR.
understood her.
Amid all the gayety and The
many engagements which Camt
with every day, there was a melan
choly about the house which hat
never been there before. 1t wal
impossible for them to Danish il
altogether. Even Master Harry, {
cheerful youth Of IA, became aware
ofitat last, and declared bis sistel