Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-06-27
w. VA FRIDAY, JUNE p, 1890.


"Of fashion and frivolity. Oh,
brother Hark My husband is call
ing and l must 60. Some other time
we will talk further on the subject"
Very we'll"
The answer was fair enough, but
Robert Ellis inwardly determined that
time should never come. He had
taken the pictures from their secret
resting place not TO decide between
them; simply to make one act the foil
of the other, TO render the beauty of
Annie Belford more supreme by con-
trast with the one less favored, and
the words of his sister grated upon
his ear and heart.
Women are always savagely jeal-
Gus of any one better looking than
themselves" he grumbled as he put
the photographs away and dressed TO
go out.
His sister interrupted him and
asked whittier he was going.
Nowhere in particular; simply for
a stroll well-may drop into the
club" was answered hesitatingly,
though his decision h ad already been
made, and he walked as rapidly as
possible to the home of Annie Bel
ford
A luxurious home it was, and he
found the young lady radiant in dress
and smiles, and the reception he re-
ceived was flattering in the extreme.
Again and again he was thanked i'm
pressively for saving her life from
'those horrid waves With deft fin
gers the keys of the piano were
touched; with the sweetest possible
voice she sang for and at him; in ev-
cry way she endeavored to charm;
with bushes tempted and with eyes
magnetized, and sent the young law
yer home with his blood at the fever
heat Of love.
A note addressed in firm and re
markably beautiful hand awaited the
opening upon the table in his study
when he returned. 1t had no partic-
uler temptation for him, so he leis-
urely lighted "a cigar Then he care
lessly took it up, mentally comment
ing as he did so.
Il might as we'll know the contents,
but wish business had kept at dis
tance and left this night for-hum,
Mary Jones! What in the name of
humanity can she be writing to Inc
about? Wants me to call as early as
possible tomorrow? Well, | shall
have to do so on account of gratitude,
if for no other reason. So long, Miss
Mary
He carelessly tossed the note aside,
finished his cigar, and as soon as his
head touched the pillow gave himself
to dreaming such love-tinted dreams
as momentarily turn earth into
heaven of anticipation.
1t was a trivial matter concerning
which Mary Jones wished to consult
the young lawyer, quickly disposed of
and the interview could soon have
ended. There was, however, a quiet
charm about the modest house, a
ladylike repose and self-possession
about her manner that interested and
detained him no effort to show OIL, !"
although her conversation revealed
extensive reading and culture; an
open piano that she was no stranger
to words welded to melody" and
pictures upon wall and easel that
told her brush was gifted and not
idle one.
You are blessed he said to the
invalid mother, hoping to draw her
out, lin having a remarkably bril-
liant daughter. ~
Mary is good girl was all the
response he was able to obtain, but
there was much more in it to him
than the most fulsome laudation.
He thought of it as he FASTENED to
his office, more than once during the
dav, and the seed thus sown might
have blossomed and fruited had not
the gloriously beautiful vision OF
Annie Belford constantly obtruded
itself and dazzled his eyes. For
beauty TO the great majority OF men
is as sunshine to the flower and dew
sparkling in lily cup TO thirsty bird.
That Annie Belford was determin-
I'd to win her brother her sister saw
with misgiving and regret. Scarcely
q dav passed without some token TO
him, flower, an invitation TO seat
in our opera box. to accompany her
In "a horse back ride-a something to
bring him to her side. But jeanette
Mason was too wise to interfere. She
knew how much love grew by OPP
position; how many a man and
woman had married from pique and
defiance and carefully held her
tongue" hoping that time would
work cure.
Would it? Marry in haste and re-
pent at leisure seemed destined to be
the bitter experience Of Robert Ellis,
and when "righting up" his study one
,unrnino, his sister found a costly roli-