The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-05-13
ONE DARK NIGHT.

flI ~ rfbssS !" 49, - See'f Sts' =
fol the stars that twinkled in the
black sky had no power to light
the dall earth. 4
Nefyously, with a beating heart,
ayoung gitl.hurried down d coun.
try lane, q parcel in her hands,
She was London bred, and had the
town fear ofcountry lanes, and, il
she did not think, seyefy bush an
officer" dreaded that every bush
might conceal 70 thief Eyeline
Moretoh was employed by a large
London mourning establishment,
and she had been sent down accord.
ing to the advertisement, to "6t'a
recently Bereaya family. If the
way was dark and gloomy, Eve
lines thoughts were dark and
gloomy, too. The poor child was
tired and hungry for her train had
been detained for two hours by an
accident Oh the line. She had been
to take a cab, butthere was no cab
to be had. North Lodge was "quite
a three mile walk," the sleepy por.
ter had informed her. His direct
ions had beenclear enough. Eve.
line was to keep straight along the
dullIglOomy lane, till she reach the
high road, when North Lodge would
be the third house. oh, how she
wish The walk at an end;itwas so
dark aud dull land lonely. Eyeline
paused suddenly, aud looked down
the path she had to pursue, with
frightened eyes, for she distinctly
heard footsteps, Ifshe had yield.
ed to her first impulse Of childish
terror she would have tried TO find
some hiding place behindthe hedge
but ashamed Of her fears, she walk.
ed on with a low nervous laugh
The footsteps approached rapidly,
and sooha dark figure came in
sight. Eveline shrank ba,k to get
out Of Its way, but it moved also,
so that it was still right in front Of
her.
"Good night" said a gruff voice.
"GOod nightl" repeated Eveline;
for, as Charles Dickens said, we are
never so polite al when We are
frightened.
"lt isa dark night for you to be
out I'M" went on the man. "Have
you such q thing as a copper about
you to give a poor fellow?"
Trembling, Eyeline took out her
purse TO look fora penny; as she
did so, it was suddenly sna!Ched
out Of her hand. Eseline gave a lit
Tie cry Of distress at the loss Of the
money; but she was too much alarm.
ed to utter q single word Of remon.
STRANGE. The mans burly figure
still barred the way,
"Let me pass" she pleaded. 81
have no jewelry. Ny pourso was
The only thing l had worth steal
ing, you have that, so pray let me
"Don't be in such a hurry, pret.
ty one" "saidthe man, with a coarse
laugh, and be caught hold Of her
arm. ~ want to speak to you"
"ohl pray-prayzlet me co.
cried Eyeliue, dropping theparCel,
for her poor little heart was beat
ing almost to suaocation.
"Not till I've given youa kiss
he said insolently. "You are a
very pretty girl"
And be drew her nearer 10 him,
SO that his rough beard touch her
cheek. Eyeline pushed him from
her with all her force, uttering
scream after scream. Her terror
gave her sudden strength, and for
quite a minute she kept him at
arms length.
"You little vixenI' he exclaimed
with an cath, "I'll have that kiss
in spiteof all your struggles; / will,
b."
he never finished the sentence;
for, at that moment, a well.direct.
ed blow from a powerful fist fslled
him to the ground.
"You Cowardly blackguardli'
cried the new conner, indignantly.
"How dare you insult a ladylstand
up aid let me knock you down
again."
But this the tramp wisely dc,
Clined 10 do. He rolled over in ab.
ject terror, whining out an appeal
for mercy, as the young man spurn.
q himwith his foot,
q am indeed sorry that you
should have been frightened BY tie
fellow, y said the ssfaufer. Hitting