Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-18
Eitrrnrp Selections.
THE FATAL C0NCEALMENT.
BY AN ENGLISH BARRIsTER.


Some years after 1 commenced prac-
tice-but the precise date / shall for OBJ
vious reasons, avoid mentioning had
friend at whose house l was pretty con-
stant visitor. He had wife who was the
magnet that drew me there. She was
beautiful-but shall not attempt to de-
scribe her-she was more than beautiful
she was fascinating, she was captivating g.
Her presence was to me like the into xica-
tion Of opium. Twas only happy under its
Influence and yet, after indulgence IN the
fatal pleasure, l sank into the deepest
despondency. In my own justification,
l must say that l never in word or look
betrayed my feelings, though had some
reason TO suspect they were reciprocated:
for, while in my company she was al
ways gay, brilliant and witty; yet as l
learned from others, at times she was of
ten sad and melancholy. Powerful, most
powerful was the temptation to make an
unreserved disclosure of my heart, but
resisted it. That had the frmness so
to do, has been for years my only conso-
lation.
One morning sat alone i'm my cham
Der. My clerk was absent. A gentle
knock was just audible at the outer door.
l shouted come in :" in no very amiable
humOr, for I was indulging in a delicious
reverie upon the subject of the lady of my
heart, and the presence of an ordinary
mortal was hateful. The door opened
and Mrs. - entered; do not know
exactly what did, but it seemed to be a
long time before had power to rise and
welcome her, while she stood there with
a timid blush upon her lips, which made
nae feel that it would be too great a happi-
ness tc die for.
q" L don't wonder that you are surprised
to see me here, she began, with pro-
voking little laugh; "but is your aston
ishment too great 10 allow you 10 say how
do you do?"
The spell WOO II
took her hand; fear pressed it more
warmly and held it longer than was abso-
lutely necessary.
perhaps your surprise viii be In
creased" she continued, when Inform
you that 1 have come on business"
muttered something about not bein|
so ambitious as to hope that she woul'
visit me from any other motive. Sh
took no notice of what ] said, but l pei
ceived that her face turned deadly pale
and that her hand trembled as she place
before me bundle of papers.
You will see by these she said i
low hurried voice, that some propert
was left to me by my uncle and by m
grandfather, but so strictly settled ths
even can touch nothing bat the interes
Now, my husband is in want of larg
sum of money at this moment, and wis
you to examine the affair well, and Sc
whether, by any twisting of the law,
can place any part of my capital at b
disposal. Internationally have dor
him great wrong" in a tone so low, tn
no ears less jealousy alive than mil
could have understood their meanin
"and poor as this reparation is, it is {
that can make, and must do it if pc
sible."
] pretended to study the papers befo.
me, but the lights danced and mingle
and il, by great effort, I forced my ey
to distinguish word, it conveyed not t
slightest meaning to my whirling bra
Every drop Of blood seemed imbued W
a separate conciousness, and TO be til
ling and rushing to the side next to h
whose presence, within a short distar
of me, was the only thing Of which b
a distinct perception hung my head
hide from her the emotion Of WHICH I V
thoroughly ashamed.
IT may well be believed that was
no condition to give professional op
ion; but l got over the difficulty by tell
her / must have time to study the CT
and promising to let her know the res
GU are a tiresome creature"
SAID, with little coquettish air. 81 res
expected that for once in your Life,
ior a friend, too, you might have got
rid Of the days delays, and give me Y
opinion in half an hour, so far, at le
as to tell me whether there is any prc
bility of my being able to do as | des
But see that you are like the rest of
lawyers-time! timel timel l supp
you viii keep thinking about it un
am dead, and then it viii go to my hust
in due course of law"
1T may not require more than hal
hOup to aeaorfo,, 20 ,,,,,oI, I