The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-11-29

cruel wound.
Despite his selfishness he had loved
Elinor well after his own fashion.
and was not willing to admit that
she had any cause of complaint.
In way it enraged him that his
fa1r, gentle young wife had dared to
think out problem of life for her
self, had so individualized herself as
to claim for herself future of bliss
In which he could have no part.
And just then she murmured pa
thetically:
.All this would have beer differ
ent, Hunter, had you but loved ne
truly, and sought my happiness in
stead of your own 1t was my right
and your duty. And you can see
now that you have been i'll for SO
many weeks, how little you were
cared for by men in whose society
you took your chief delight. Have
they been near you to comfort OF.
console1 No. they scarcely give you
thought 1t is 1, your neglected
wife, who have been Your devoted
nursel And, Hunter, had you been
as devoted to me these past years, I
would nave remained your inconsol-
able widow to my life's end; but, as
have said. it's different"
Anguish flashed from his eyes as
he cried out:
Il am glad you have been SO frank
before l made my viii. shall not
leave you one penny more than you
can claim under tho law. The rest
shall go to my children. 1 will not
leave my money to squandered by
your second husband.n
She smiled patiently, but she an
swered firmly:
But i have no ambitions. I do
not want my husband to be great.
only good and loving, and always
loath to leave my side. Yes, and to
tell me sometimes that he loves me.
You have forgotten for so long to
tell me that, dear, but perhaps you
did not guess how a womanis heart
hungers for affection. have often
wished you werc quite poor, Hunter.
Then you would not be popular, and
you would appreciate the true hearts
at homemore. We would work hard
for our little children, and have a
simple love life, finding our greatest
JOY in each others company.
He put out his weak hand entreat-
ingly.
Nor would sacrifice my hopes
of the future for so poor q price as
your gold.n
Then, as If realizing suddenly that
she had wounded him in his help
lessness, she threw her arms about
him, sobbing tenderly:
oh, forgive my wild words. for /
am starving for love as warm and
tender as my own. My days have
been so lonely while you staid away
from me by day and pored over
your papers by night. have been
SO Jealous of everybody and every
thing that could interest you more
than couldl Perhaps was selfish.
Do you think SO. dear7"
He only answered bitterly:
hope your second husband may
realize all your ambitions
No more cannot bear it, - said
he In a subdued voice. ''It is time
for my lawyer now. Do not mind
my jealous rawlings, dearest. You
shall have fair share of the money,
even if you give it to my rival, your
second husband
The lawyer thought that Mr..
Mayo's voice was quite strong for
that of q dying man, but the doctor.
who happened in soon after the will
was made, and the patient seemed
asleep, asclibed it to the effect of ex-
citement.
They talked few minutes softly,
and DIR. Gray whispered, undermining
that he was overheard by the patient.
I'm glad that he provided so well
for that noble little wife. He has
had a hard struggle with fever these
six weeks, and if anything could have
saved him it would have been her
devoted nursing. I'm certain he did
not deserve it either, for he was one
of those namby pamby husbands who
don't know how to appreciate good
wife, and only go home to eat and
sleep, and this fellow, they say. more
often than not took dinner and sup
per at his club in town, leaving poor
Elinor alone in their country home. =,
But life fingered ON strangely in
that wasted frame, and at last the
doctor said the patient was improv-
ing, and must go off very soon to the
/ mountains.
1T will do you and the children
good, too, my darling, - he said ten
derly to his wife.
And she looked at him in honest
surprise
you do not mean that you wish
to take us7 You know you would
enjoy it better alone, or with some
gentleman friend
The shamed crimson flushed into
his check as he kissed her little hand
Elinor, forgive me all the past
and let me try to make it up to Won. =
he cried Il never knew how wen
I loved you until 1 began to grow
Jealous of your probable second hus-
band 1t was that awful jealousy. /
think, that snatched me back from
the very grave. 1 am to realize your
ideal, to be my own successor In
your heart, to fulfill an the promise
of your second husband VIII you
let me try, my darling7 Come with
me-you and the babies-and let us
I haorIrl L.