The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1884-04-23
FORTUNE HUNTING.

$50 you have really engaged
yourself to be married, my lovea"
"Yes, Mrs. Townsend"
francesca We're looked up a lit
tie de6antly into the quiet, elderly
face Of the lady who sat opposite to
her Just nineteen, with soft hair,
touched with sunny gold; eyes Of
the deepest blue, aud a fair, oval
face, bright with the velvety bloom
Of early youth, she was the very
incarnation and embodiment Of
happy maidenhood, as she stood
leaning against the window, her
dress Of blue cashmere sweeping
the velvet carpet, and a mist like
shawl Of white Shetland wool
dropping from her shoulders. An
orphan and an heiress, endowed,
moreover, with the rare gift Of
beauty, it is not strange if Fran,
cesca was a little spoiled, yet there
was something very sweet and
winning in her very willfulnsss.
"And to Fiske Eger!on2" went
on Mrs. Townsend, grayely.
eyes, to Fiske Eserton," Fran
cesca answered, playing a little
nervouSly with the fringe of her
shawl, whilea deeper color crept
into her cheek.
@My dear, you are doing a very
serious thing"
"Yes, ma'am, 1 know il; but it's
away girls have ofgetting engaged
and marriedm francesca said, with
an arch glance at her mentor.
Francesca, you mustn't jest
about this smatLer," said Mrs. Town.
send, earnestly. "Iam your moth.
er's earliest friend, and, as such, l
feel it at once duty and a privil.
cge to counsel you at this most i'm.
pOrtant stage Of your life. Tellme
about this fiance of yours"
"He is very handsome, very sly.
lish, very agreeable" said Frances.
ca, eagerly,
SIS he rich?"
NQ; but, pardon me, l know
what you would say, He is no for.
tune.hunter.> He loves me for my
self aloneI"
She had flushed crimson as she
spoke.
a hope you are right, my dear"
said Mrs. Townsend; "but to tell
you the truth, l have heard less
favorable accounts Of this young
man."
"Then you have listened to the
false charges Of some enyious enc,
my" interrupted francesca, with
sparkling eyes; "please do not re,
peatthem to me. l could not bear
Them calmly, even from you, dear
Mrs. Townsend, knowing, as l do,
their utter untrulh."
And good Mrs. Townsend took
her leave, pondering rather sadly
to herself upon the impossibility Of
putting old heads upon young
shoulders, while francesca sat down
inth6 shadow Of the satin window
curtains tO dream Of the bright fu.
ture before her, and assure herself
over aud over again of her blessed.
ness in being the reCipien! Of Fiske
Egerton's love.
Meanwhile the last engagement
upon the tapis Of fashionable life
was being discussed in the reading
room Of a popular Fifth avenue
club.
"Egerton engaged to marry Miss
Verel Nonsense there's not a word
of truth in i'll" exclaimed Harry
"oE'un, luulgnRhtly, as the noaE-
ing on dit reached his ears.
"But Itell you it's true, for I my
self saw the engagement diamond
on her finger, aud Fiske told me
So"
"Then ALL have to say is that
he is a great sCampl'
II don't doubt that fact at all"
said the companion, with a laugh;
"but nevertheless, he has made q
good thing Of i. this season. Fran.
cesCa is Che richest girl out, aud a
very pretty one, into the bargain" I"
AS Harry Morton stood gazing