The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-05-21

pq Know that ! love you, faith,
te said. y can never re.
member you sal u kind, tcnd6t
and forbearing with me. Your
heart has been my home all my
life, l will work, beg. suffer for
you'll will die for you-oh, how
willingly, if need bel Bat that
oh, father, you do not know what
il is thut YOU ask"
He did not speak, but a moan
broke unconlrollably from his lips,
as he rested his head upon her
shoulder. The struggle in her
heart Fent dark, shadOwy waves
across her face. Could she-could
she?'
Father She whispered, hur.
riedly, "let me go now. | will see
again = answer you Tomorrow
And she left him.
He could not see her face in the
gathering darkness, only a glimpse
Of something white, but he felt the
Iquiver Of her lips as she bent to
kiss him, and reached out his arms
10 embrace her, but she was gone.
Heaven pity mel The words
came like a vail flom her lips.
She was alone in her chamber,
flung proslratc upon a low couch,
with her face hid in the cushions,
The sound Of the ruslling foliage
of the garden, and the chirping Of
the birds came in through the open
window with the damp evening
breeze, and the pale light Of the
rising moon filed the room with a
soft radiance, but she was uncon.
scious Of everything but her mis-
cry. The house was SO quiet that
the sound Of a footstep crossing the
hall below fell upon her ear and
aroused her to momentary inter.
est, She heard door opcn-thc
library door-0nd then u voice ut.
tered a few words Of commonplace
greeting. She remembered it well,
and sprang to her feet with a dcs-
pcratc, insane thought Of flight,
But the door closed, the house was
still again and she was calmer
She crossed the room listlcssly
aud drew back the curtain Of the
window, The scene WIS beauLi.
ful. The moonlight lay broadly on
the garden, turning TO silver the
tops Of the trees and making the
little lake beyond look like a great
white pearl, Gazing earnestly
downward she saw tall, shadowy
figure, standing beneath the shade
of the old elm. With a low cry
she sprang from the room and a
moment later stood beside her
lover,
"Comc at last, my treasure" /"
cried Mark Winchester, folding
her IN his arms. She remained
leaning passionatcly against his
breast, while he pressed passionate
kisses upon her forehead, cheek
and lips.
"Why have you made me wait
so long, darling?" he said, softly,
and taking both her hands in one
of his, he pressed them to his lips.
"Why, how cold you are! How
you tremblel" he continued, as she
clung to him. "What is the mat.
ter, May?9
II waited because dreaded tc
meet you, Mark"
"Why? What do you meant"
And, brokenly, through her tears
and Sobs, she told him all. He did
not speak or stir while she was
talking, and when she had finished
there was q long silence. She
lacked courage to say moro-he
would not ask, She repeated the
last words, "and tomorrow | must
give him my answer" Still he
did not answer.
She looked up at him. In the
dim light she could see his rigid
agonizcd faco, white lips and
cleaning eyes. She stole her arms
about his neck, and drew his fore,
head down to her lips.
Speak to me, Mark; say that
you do not blame me-
He knew then that she had de
cided and what that decision was.
"Aud you will leave me, May
and marry that old man2"
"HeavOn pity me, Mark, for
must. Twill become his wife, ant
will be true and faithful to him
for hc will be kind to me. Yor
will hear Of me thus, and whcr