Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-03-17

h'tfhtt VIC VIII WV ut HtVNN lh
each others company.
Lsara's thoughts on reading this were "too
dee?fbr tears, herkgony wa too overwhelming
for uitefapce ; she stood for a few moments, pale
qsrr the held in lser hard. Al
,erself, she debated a long
,rm others Of the contents OF
,os 10 awsif tina i--a- h~s
Id be too late for any good,
aws etatti silence, she might keep the
-.-,, ."a"o~", snodld 1t fortunately result with.
out death TO either Of the parties, she resolved on
the latter course.
The origin oil the note was entirely inexplica-
BILE. From her knowledge Of Rollins character,
she could hardly believe him gully Of that which
he must know would be productive ofthe most
fatal consequences. 1t might have been some
other person intent on her destruction.
There was one hope if an inquiry should
be made before the challenge was accepted, a
fatal termination might yet be avoided but
she feared that he would not submit to any
insult that Lawrence in haste might offer, even
il he was not the author of the unlucky note.
At the sound Of every horse the blood fed
back TO her beating heart, leaving her counte-
nance even paler than before, as Imagination
painted, with all the freshness of life, her dy-
ing husband, with his last breath, cursing her
self and his murderer: or drew him standing
before her with MURDERER stamped upon his
own brow. But these heart-rending ideas all
vanished, when again turning to the window,
she saw her husband approaching, as well and
as free from the marks OF guilt, as when he
left her the evening previous. Hope was re-
kindled in her bosom, she sprang to the door
with words of congratulation on her tongue,
but her eyes fell with despair as she met
nought but his angry frown and bitter taunts
IN return.
"My dear husband she exclaimed as he
Involuntary extended his hand, "you have
not fought, | knew you would believe me-"
81 am indeed" he said sarcastically, 'as well
as your warmest affection could lead you TO
desire and, you may thank fortune, your MIR.
Rollin is alive anticipating, | suppose, the
punishment due to his v%illainy, his cowardice
has shown itself, as a necessary appendage to
his character. Believe you! ha! ha, be-
Iier- yar, >"
"Do not be so violent" said Laura still
retaining his hand which he now attempted ia
withdraw, 81 could convince you how unjust
your suspicious are if you would credit me as
you once did"
"How can you expect Laura, that ! shall
believe you with such convincing proofl But
| will hear your explanation"
81 have no real proofs" said she, VI car
only say that by all ! hold dear, and as ] shat
answer hereafter, | never saw that letter be
fore, and your Charges are perfectly false anc
groundless and ] c%onjure you if you ever low
ed.me, TO let this pass in silence If you canno
forget it, and ! will show you that my aztec
tons are as firm as ever"
"These are surely strong reasons" answer
ed Lawrence, "you should certainly be trust
ed. j am very sorry that | have offended St
charming a wife," he added tauntingly as h
saw the tears flow unres,rained dow he
checks.
> any dear Robert, | beg you will STOP" Lau
IA exclaimed, "you wrong me, you ~certainl
wrong me YOU are cruel to use such lar
Y puage YOU cannot think how much; 20
distress me you have no certain proof OF an
: thing. for which YOU should not trust me-
If YOU have any love for me forget this fc
the present, and believe we shall again b
= happy but if not"
g Laura interrupted Lawrence, 'you kno'
= | did love you, my actions must have told I'll;
n | was perfectly devoted TO you nor can yo
help seeing that ] have a cause for my presei
d actions. But that has passed away like
dream. | awoke to the sad truth, that ] WI
Y not loved in return, ] was deceivedi MADAM
! find this, il explains itself. As yOu wish
we will say 10 more Of this at pre- seht. lfyt
y can prove-but ifnot, you know my on
curse | cannot again love you"
=; ~-sFhss can I do ?" exclaimed Laura, wht
1t he ead left her, show can | regain my cha
If actor in my husbands opinion and regain h
affections ! Ifhe thought of me as he on
j did, he would believe me but he is not blam
ID able. Who can have a mind so tainted as
thus cruelty destroy all my blfss, allthat cou
make life agreeable and worth living Y
there are those whom Innocence seems on
d, 10 madden, and whose envy, virtue seems o
Ut " to increase. But she thought, 81 will r
~ on my Heavenly Father for protection, al
ct / shall not suffer unjusily."
ID Every succeeding day, instead OF rellevir
N Laura's anxiety, increased her husbands Z
n i%enation. The affectioRate look, with wifi
g. she would vet sometimes meet bin at Nigh
le was met with GOODNESS that sent a thrillii
n. pang Of agony through her fond heart. Ey
n ery attempt for a reconciliation, and even h
~ kindness, received a total repulse. With SUI
OF constant rebufs, the fading rose on her che
and her sinking form told full well that "ho
r. DELAYED" was wasting her health and beaui
~ Nor was Laura alone unhappy, for althouI
y" the enlargement was continued by Lawrenc
y. and could at any time have been broken o
81 vet he knew that although there might be e
ly ery appearance Of agreement, IL would be on