The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-10-22

jewel above purple woods.
A whip-poor will sang in Che
thickots; a deep, orange glow yet
burned where the sun had gone
down.
Uncle Reuben was leaning,
whistling, against the bars.
4Well, Lyddy Ann" he said,
genially, "lhis ia nicer than the
city streets, now amt it"
"oh, yes, yesl' Lyddy Ann cried,
with frightening eyes. Foh, /
wish | could've here alwaysl"
swell, why can't you2' said I'm.
Gle Reuben, a little huskily.
The girl suddenly burst into
tears.
Il must 80 away next month";"
said she.
"And leave US, Iyddy Ann2r
She raised her wet eyes to bis
face.
How it came about, neither Of
them could very well have told
but in a minute Uncle Reuben's
arm was around hcr-her cheek
rested upon his shoulder.
"You shall never leave me, my
girl. You shall be my wife, and
it'll go hard but that you'll be
happy all your life long. I'm a
rough specimen, | knor; but after
all, l ain! but fOrty.fve, and my
heart is as young as it ever was.
Can you get alung with a plain
farmer like me, Lyddy Ann2 Speak
up braVely, rosebud; l shan't blame
you for whatever answer you
make"
81 think you are the best aud
noblest man in the world" said
Lyddy Ann, with choking rip.
pie in her voice. "But-but l
cannot stay"
as it on account of susy2" urg-
cd the farmer. because we've
talked it over between US, she and
me, and decided that there couldn't
be no better luck befall US than for
you to say ayes"
81 cannot" sobbed Lyddy Ann
81 cannO'I Oh, please do not urge
me any more!"
"Well, if this don't beat all!''
said Mr., Allendale. an ask Johns
wife. She'll perhaps know the
ways Of women better than l do
And she'll plead my case for me.
So Mrs. Allendale, Lyddy AIMS
first friend, was summoned from
the nearest farmhouse, and admit.
ted into the solemn conclave. She
was more puzzled than they had
been. She took Lyddy Ann ten.
derby by both hands when they
were alone,
"YOu can't deceive me, dear"
said she, You love Reuben"
Lyddy Ann only dropped her
eyes, and spoke no words Of dis.
sent,
"Thon why will you not marry
him and stay here always2" asked
Mrs, Allendale.
81 am not worthy, said the girl,
in a low voice. II must go away"
Mrs. Allendale put her arms
around Lyddy AIMS slender waist.
"'rell me about it," said she.-
"Confde in me. Just for little
while let nos be your second self.
Trust me, Lyddy Ann; l will not
be untrue to you"
And then, with tears and contri.
ton, Lyddy Ann confessed her
simple mystery.
81 have deceived you ALL" she
said. ~ never lived out anywhere
before l came here. Mrs. Gen.
sumpter is a woman who acts for
the girls who have no one TO refer
to. We pay her FIVE dollars at the
time, and ten per cent. of our wages
ever after, or she will betFay US to
our employers. They say she
makes lots Of money, and no won
DER" added poor Lyddy Ann with
a sigh, "And she keeps writing
to me every week, because | haven't
sent her the percentage on the last
two months. Icould not; / needed
it for clothes for myself. And now
she is threatening to come out here
and tell you how shameiully | have
deceived YOU"
SIS this all, said Mrs. Allondalo,
"All" Lyddy Ann nssered,
lifting hOr blue, truthful eyes to
Mrs, Allondale's with a frankness
that denied all doubt. II knew no
one else, you see, / had no refer.
onco and no lady would employ me
without one. And the girl who