Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-07-08


knew by the tremor of his lips, the huski-
ness Of his voice, that he, too, loved my darl-
ing. had suspected it before, but now |
was certain, and it reused the widest fcol-
ings of jealousy Madly | boastod of her
unconqurable attachment, fool that | was -
With coarse, unskilful hand. | barred his
own heart to his view, till he shrunk from
me in agony. Then | arose, forgetting all
gratitude for his great favor in bearing me,
senseless, disgusting as | was, from the
clutches Of the police or watchman saving
me the shame of opening my eyes in a sta
tion-house, and having my name bruitcd
about in the public prints.
81 went to the dwelling Of Annette.
was ushered into a side parlor, where she lay
upon a lounge, her cheeks as colorless as the
dead her large eyes shining ftfully and look
ing as il they had never been closed in sleep.
"As / bent over her, she said softly
"'Please don't come so near me, Mr.. Is
lington; / am i'll
81 started at that as if had been shot
Mr.. lslingtonr
81 repeated my own name, looking at her
with wondering glance
"'Oh If I could believe II was not YOU
but some other she said, signing in a weary
way, and shutting her eyes tightly. though
not so as to prevent the tears that would ooze
through.
"'What can you mean: asked and my
look of extreme incredulity must have aston
ishod her.
go, Richard, Richard, you don't know
what you said last night she cried, conyul-
sively, passionately. you don't-you can't
know what you did O, Richard, the very
recollection crazes me. Don't don't come
near me- indeed, cant bear it. The rocol-
lection--oh terrible, terrible"
For Gods sake. Annette, what did
say What did do; Tell me, that may
ask your pardon on my knees and then will
leave you forever
so, Richard, Richard she moaned. Then
she caught my hand with impulsive tender
ness, drew me towards her laid her head on
my arm, she said, in tone that haunts
me yet
"'I will tell you little, and then you must
go. L. will be best for both of us, Richard
for both. 1t may break my heart but it
would be broken sometime, you know. Rich
ard. / cannot say in words what you said to
me. Now it would kill me to hear them
Oh / never thought this would happen
after all have said-all have felt for you.
Richard, you revealed some horrible things
to me. Oh were you SO wicked in that
foreign country; Did you love and deceive
that poor Spanish girl; o. God help you,
poor Richard God help you if You did.
Il sat stupefed-pale with horror. She
looked once in my face, and shuddered as she
said, brokenly:-
81 could forgive all but that
IL felt like condemned criminal. For
while sat there struggling for voice, and
then | told her that, however wicked had
been. | had never deceived woman
40, am so glad = she said sinking from
my arm to the pillow of the lounge. But,
Richard, how can forget last night. Don't
get down to me in that way. know now
knew then you were not yourself; and for
that reason, because you will not conquer
that fatal habit we must part. Don't say an
other word, my dear; weak and yielding as
seem, can be firm. Remember that your
own hand has thrown the cup from your lips.
have tried to believe-her voice grew brok-
IN and sobbing--'l have tried so hard to be-
ieve that you were everything good and
worthy. You don't know how have idoliz-
I'd you, looking on YOU as the saviour of my
hey reasoned with me Father, he saved the
ife of your child How can | help loving
lin o, yes. they all knew it, everybody /.
'new how loved YOU | never took pains
o conceal it; but now-now-I must
81 walked that floor in anguish of body
md spirit. Then went to her and said -
"'Annette, you love that canting George
1errick better than you do me Don't dis .
emble-I know it all-know what he thinks
# you, the hypocrite !!
Il had lashed myself into fury that was
lot to be calmed by her gentle repetition of
ny name-her pleading looks
"'Yes, it must be So If you loved me,
ou would overlook what happened when |
vas not myself Little things like that would
ot cause you to dismiss me-
Little things " she repeated, with re-
roachful look. Richard. if you knew what
ou said last night, how you insulted me,
ou would never look me in the face again
Farewell, then, forever almost howled
nd seized my hat 20 60 know not where.
Richard, just one word more.
"'lf death had been the penalty, / could
OF have resisted that plaintive appeal
"She held forth her arms, pulled me down
gain beside her, and sobbed upon my neck
) if her heart would burst. Again and again
he essayed to speak, and again fresh tears
nd choking sobs followed. | was almost
ying with shame, and the hot tears pressed
} my burning eyeballs, but bit my lips and
ept them back. My whole frame was shak-
4, but not alone with anguish There was
scene held up before my soul--a black dis
raceful scene.
"'Only to say. dear Dick, she gasped forth
last, that if live, shall never, never
AIRY anybody else and if any time know
lat you have thoroughly reformed, oh then.
you will take me- and love me still, will
. yours yours through all time, through all ]
ernity
Il kissed her many times, and desperate,
addened, hating myself and cursing man
nd, | left her, for what p His manner I
artled me his voice was hoarse and fierce {
ITO come to be beggar and pauper, at 4
e age of twenty-nine. through love of rum r.
Another momont, and | was alone A !
arful page in the book Of mans history had
zen unlodcd to me- ! shuddered as | left
e arbor. He VINO talked with me was no {
here to be seen. {
Three years after that, was travelling in
age coach, when an accident happened of a .
mewhat serious nature. The coachman was t