The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-02-16

he was silent.
"Wlll you come to dinner2" he asked
l hesiated. Should l pertake of hi.
hospitality; the hospitality Of one of those
finds in human shape whose steps take
hold on hell? l knew his guilt-why de.
lay to declare it? Why not at once, in
burning words. upbraid him for his villal.
n.y. and fee as from a pestilence his sin
cursed house? The man noticed my hes
itation. He could not of course interpret
its cause. As he repeated his request the
look of distress upon his face excited a
feeling Of pity, which for the moment
slightly disarmed my resentment, and un-
der the influence of this feeling, almost
uncopseiously passed into the dining
room.
II am sorry little Nelly's mamma
Il was glad he did not dare to use the sa.
cred name Of wife - lis not able to sit
down with u.s." he said. at is many
months since we have had her presence at
our meals. She is suffering from the
effects of slow fever. induced by the eli
mate" he added gravely, as he motioned
me scat before him.
The table glittered with silver.plate.
Obedient servants brought, on the most
costly servers, delicacies such as I had
never seen before
But the skeleton sat at the feast
could not talk, save in monosylables
My hoste ate hastily almost carelessly-
waiting upon me with many abrupt starts
and apologies.
Wine came, He drank freely. Soon
he sent the little girl and the servants
from the room, and seemed striving to
nerve himself to conversation.
you are from-city, believe"
he said nervously.
I answered an affirmative.
did you ever know gentleman there
by the name--of-H. E. F-T
III knew him, sir, said sternly, looking
The man steadily in the face. saud know
him also as ruined, heart-broken man"
With an ejaculation Of anguish he put
his handkerchief to his eyes. 1t would
have seemed hypocritical, but the suffering
on his face was unmistakable.
perhaps you have suspected them
he began in quivering voice.
Not calmly. but with the words of an
accuser, l told him what I had seen, and
thought, and felt.
"Sir, said be, in tones which I shall
never forget, "If I have sinped, God in
Heaven knows I have suffered and if in
F.'s bereavement he has cursed me, that
curse is fearfully fulfilled Poor Mary
is dying-has been dying for months and
I have known it 1t has been for me to
see the failing step-the dimming eye; it
is for me now to see terrible struggles of
her nearly worn.out frame it is for me
to listen to her language of remorse that
sometimes almost drives me mad Yes
mad-mad-mad," he said, in frenzy, ris.
ing and crossing the floor with long, hasty
strides.-Then burying his face in his
hands, he exclaimed, TOO late-too late
Il have repented' There was long
pause, and he continued more calmly,
"No human means can now restore my
poor companion. Her moral sensibili.
ties become more and more acute as she
fails in strength, no that she feproaches
herself constantly"
A weary, mournful sigh broke from his
lips, as if his heart would break.
20! if he knew" he exclaimed again
"if he knew how bitter penalty she is
paying for the outrage she has committed
upon him-he would pity her-and ifit
could be, forgive"
"Will you zee her, sir2"
| shrank from the very thought.
She has asked for you, sir; do not de-
ny her request. Hearing that you came
from America, she entreated me to bring
you to her. Ipromised that l would"
II will 60, then"
up the cool, wide, matted stairs, he
led me, into a chamber oriental in its
beautiful furnishing, its chaste magni6.
cence.
There, halfreclining in a wide, easy
chair-a costly shawl of lace thrown over
her attenuated shoulders the rich dress.
ing-gown, clingirg, and followed to the
ravages sickness had made-sat one whose
great beauty, and once gentle gifts had
made the light and lovelness of sacred
home.
Bm noao o pity pity
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