The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-06-03
A ROlIANTTC STORY.

Startling stories are told and
thrilling effects produced in the
many novels Of the day, but IL il
seldom We End anything more
startling 81 thrilling in fiction
than this gower true taleg Of q
belle Of heearly part Of the pres.
ent century There are those still
living whocan attest TO The facts
but wefeit not that the principal
actors have passed from the stage,
IshouId hesitate yet to make pub.
licsuch q peculiar family history.
AS II ISL will atell the tale a,
twas told to me,' only begging
pardon for concealing the real
names
Mn whatwas then a charming
seaside town, there lived, fifty
years ago, q most lovely girl, named
Amy ptosence- bright ndradianl
and witty,but, alasl as the sequel
shows, most unwise, to say che
very least. A
OF suitors she had many, aud
when she first appears in the light
Of a heroine, ,she had already prom
ised her hand with her heart in it,
toa prosperous and highly respect.
ed young merchant. There was
not 50 much Of fashion and folly
then as now; young ladies did NOT
lie awake over ttosseaus and es,
adjustments, or mar their beauty
and redden their eyes dimmine
their lustsr by late hours and high
living. But Miss Provence ap
preached her bridal day in all hel
youthful freshness. Her lover
Ernst Rhodes, was ardently at
tached to her, and the course O
true love ran, apparently, very
smoothly. But the old fashion
fate has Of turning momentous re
suits on very small hinges, was il
style then as now, and fate wal
busy with them.
Miss Amy was invited to yisil
Miss woolsey, a wealthy old aun'
in Rhode Island, before her mar
riage. So, bundling up someo eofth,
mysterious wedding paraphernalia
for a last beautifying touch, for he
fairy fingers were very tasteful ant
swift, she left her lover, with re
gret, l know, and left him for
weeks sojourn with her aristo
cratic relative. This week wa
understood to be the last Of he
maidenhood, and the young cir
felt eventual tobea small eternity
But what young Jfancee, on tn
eve of marriage with the dear on,
Of her choice, cannot find a wealtl
Of enjoyment in loving thought
even for a whole week?
Miss Woolsey was a lady Of posi-
tion and consequence, and the rar
beauty and grace of her niece CAV
her a prestige in the eyes Of th
many visitors to the house, He
entertainments were unique an,
"just the thing" and it was with
certain degree Of pride that an in
vitation to Miss Woolsey's was &C
cepted by the surrounding gentry
1t is the same the world over, IN,
has been far more years than thi
veritable history covers, that a Gel
tain element in character is graft
fed by the notice Of those who ar
considered a round higher on tn
social ladder. Amy was delighte,
with the evidence Of luxury abou
her; and vanity was flattered b,
the numerous attentions she re
ceived from the various visitors t
her aunt's house. Ernst at HON
was impatient for her return, chat
ing and wondering how Amy coul
go away from him, even for a week
if she loved as he lovedl Fate wa
weaving her first thread! q
Among the many who came I,
Miss Woolsey's attracted by th
exquisite beauty Of Miss Amy, wa
one, a certain Mark Halse, q
whom people knew little, save tina
he seemed to live in some style; a
least, he kept a carriage, a luxur.
that few indulged in in those day,
and said very little abeut himsel
and his anteCedents. Each even
..
ing he came, aud each evening sav
him at Amy's side. He had no
talked Of love, but shrewder eye
than hers saw whittier he wa
tending, and fate was weaving he
second thread
In the meantime Amy had beef
very diligentj the work was finish
ed, the last touches given to tn
dainty fnery, and in the near fu
ture the sweet hope Of her lif
would be fulfilled; so thought she