Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-07-13

Of her dark curls, and turn smilingly away
rom the glass "you will b charmed with my
beautiful and grntle Lucillc.F
"Your own daughter! exclaimed Paul
greatly surprised
Lucille seemed to hesitate, and her face flush
cd vivid ly--;s Paul aftcrwardswell remembered;
'at she replied, " Ycs--I thought you might
ave been aware Of that"
"Not l." replied Paul. J" But what then
| shall love all that belongs to you, dear Lucille;
and we shall be happy, us three, l make no
doubt, as people in a fairy tale.
Precisely one week from thasday Paul ands
Lucille were married and VEN happy, pros
perous mcnoge that at Numen lsS. ,llsue dos Ca
puchins, proved for a consilep.iie t1n adycr-
sity had greatly improved Nia'iSlAss Ftot, than
whom more kind plldcntn notable, Industrious
lwilc, could scarcely be. She was Bon able to
manage thc business, and guido II house much
better than her husband could pretend to DO,
and everybody said paal had III z' A a jewel
of partner. lie tto.ght 50 zdsclf; the
brightest and most precious in the word-but
for one flaw therein, which in his eyes, gradual
ally ovcrsrew and dimmcd its radiapcc. Lucille
WIS, he FELT II dissemblrr, in 6iir'inportant par
ticular at least the cl.ild whom SIZE kcptin such
rigorous scclusion-always appearing restless
and agiatcd if even he addressed few words
to her What honest cause could there be for
that! Ills grandmother warning Of the dccep-
tive impcnetrable character of the Borlasc fam
! lily, constantly rccurrcd to Lis mind spite of
himself. Then the child who appeared about
six ycas Of age, did not in the slightest degree
resemble either of her reputcd parents They
had both olive conn lexions and dark hair and
eyes, whilst the young Lucille was beautiful
blonde, with finely clisallcd patrician features
80 Like Paul would sometimes lassionatcly
m"rmor, " like the naughty impress Of himself
with w}icha proud aristocrat might stamp
with Shame an honest family" Worse than
! all, it came to Paul's knowledge that lis wife
had received several Letters through a private
channel, with respect to which she would only
when questioned, say they came from relative
Of hcr daughters, and did not in the slightest
d'gree concern any one clac, certainly not her
husband. All this had an evil effect uron Paul
Ncrdot's habits. He began to frequent much
more than he ought to nlye done, a wine shop
near the pont Ncnf Kept by one Bontemps, and
this led Of course to FRESH alterations with his
wife. One morning, after ~ late brea kfst, dur
ing which he had listened in moody silence to
his wife, earnest remonstrances upon his grow
ing habits of intcinperanee, lie raised lis pale.
almost haggard face, from the hands in which
lis hands had been buried, and looking at her
with something Of sad sternncss, said, ;. Lucille,
I wllcn. We married, gave yon, cverstk I.la
Asan afpnc my worldly subss!sllSs u ls5iI! Il,
that was considerable, and this lecn ever sncs,
us you know, more yours than mincA-I gave
you all: my heart, nay confidence, my every
tlous' twas and Is open and plsin 10 you. sYou
cannot sly the same, I.ucle; and Yet must
know it is the weight of the accursed secret you
, so ,calo';sly guard, that is sinking me in the
abyss Of low vice which lbhor as much us you
, do
what accurs.d secret Surely -
"Th3 Chilli !" cried Paul, starting to his feet
and addressing his wife with passionate and i'm
; ploring voice and gesture. "Tell me in what
f way is it connected with you--who the mysteri-
! ous correspondent of yours k let Inc know the
, worst, il worst there be. will bear anything
for your slkc, beloved Lucle--eyen shamc-il
r you will be but frank and candid with your hus
. band"
Shame" repeated the wife, rallyins with
7 the sting Of the worl. " How dare you addr s,
E such word to me! | will tell you nothing. ;
/ Then am lost man ~ exclaimed Paul
: and sizing his hat he rushel olt of the hous,
: and in few minutes was seated in the win,
J. sAop. lie was still there when evening fell
: very early-for the month was January, ant
the weather unusually dark and cold-.nd ha'
G been drinking freely all day, when Il messag
arrived from Madame Vcrdot, who wished t,
is speak with him without delay. Paul rose sui
Il lanly and followed the messenger home. Til
= establishment he found was closed, the work
people dismissed, and his wife dressed as if go
% ing oat. She was very pale and scemngy ey
l. cited, but her manner was unusually yYnnd an
l. caressng Paul, she said, laying her han
on lis arm as he fell into a chair, GO am goin
ID oLt-l and the child facre is waiting for I,
r at the back gato, and shall not probably re
n no reply, and she went on: " | have given Jear
s, nettc leave to go home, and hope therefore 20
ie will not g out again. And, Paul." added I'll
t wife, kissing his forehead, 81 feel have bee
= much to blame in having any conccalmcnt, fro
= you, and promise yoa that tomorrow yo
OF shall know all
Tomorrow shall know all, you promise F!
1t, 81 do, solemnly. And now goodAiy for
ID while"
ch She went out, and presently Paul Verd
or heard the smack of whip and the sound OF
ne parting wheels from outside the backyard G
he trance. lie sat for considerable time in
ur sort of confused, dozy dream, but the fire g.
IRE ting low, he reused HIMSELF raked the cmbc
ne together, threw ON two or three fresh logs, al
ed rcscatcd himself, his wife's promise, as he d
'p, scribed it, gradually warming about his hear
in 81 shall know all tomorrow" he audibly ej
Se. ulatcd, and as the words passed his lips,
re- eye fell upon tho smouldering fragments OF
yes letter, rendered visible in the far corner OF
ays chimney-place by the renewed fre-light
ms start up, seize it, and devour its contents as
life as they could be discerned-for the fire had
she liberated all but few detached scntcnces-W
IRE the work of a moment. 1t was signed A