Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-07

uaugnter only the nlgnt OeIOfe 10 DuY new
book) How the sharp, hungry looking eyes
glistcned as they saw the gold, and how many
sharpened, curious faces scanned its owner.
could not yet see her face, but she took the
change without looking at it, put the loaf un-
der her shawl, and turned away. Again | fol-
lowed her, till she disappeared down cellar
stairs, at the head of which | could Just de-
cipher on a painted board
"Coal, milk and groceries,
Maneling done here"
This was not her home, | knew; so | stood
back awaiting her appearance, 70. the first time
asking myself how this was all to end? could
not tell-circumstances must decide. In a few
moments YEARLY she dragged herself up again,
behind her II boy carrying a bag with a few
pieces Of coal in it lat least so judged from
its black sooty appearance. | had not far to
follow this time. They both disappeared up a
narrow arched court that stood at the head of
the stairs.
tried to grope my way in too, almost suf-
focated by the unwholesome vapors of the place.
Judging it best TO wait the temperance of the
boy who was carrying the Goals. as he would
likely he able to give me all the information
wanted, | retraced my steps. | had not long
to wait. He soon returned, whistling with true
boyish nonchalance "Nancy Till" swinging his
bag round his ann.
"Who is that woman ?" asked, approaching
him.
"Duzznt know answered the boy, scanning
me as closely as he could, though l had taken
the precaution to turn my back to the light.
"llas she been long here ?"
"P'raps. BE you the beak ?" (AngiIice, po-
liceman.)
"No," l answered, slipping shilling into his
hand as the surcst method Of untying his
Tall oil hpr
am friend"
Holding the shilling up between his finger
and his thumb for moment, as if to satisfy
himself of its genuineness, he gave an account,
of which the following is the substance:
That about eighteen months ago or two years,
he was not sure which, Mrs. Arnott had first
come TO his mothers shop. 1t was she who
sold "coals, milk, and groceries" That his
mother thought she was widow, though she
never told any one anything about herself
"Never spoke to nobody" the boy said. That
she did white sewing for the shops, was dreadful
hard up times, had been sick lately for month,
and had been obliged to sell almost all she
had. That his mother had been very kind to
her while she was sick. That she had got some
money tonight She thought she'd be COM
Portable tonight anyway"
The boy was evidently anxious to know the
| mad dismissed him so as did not care to be
watched, l turned away after securing partic-
ular description of the exact door at the head
of the stairs occupied by Mrs. Arnott. went
to the foot of the stair that there might be no
mistake. | needed some time to collect my
unsettled, lhronging memories, so | walked
away.
What were these memories?
II was now nearly eighteen years since Mlnna
Arnott became my own wife
1t was twelve years since that fearful night
when returned home from professional visit
to find my young wife (she was but seventeen
when married herr gone. Whittier? l was
too soon informed The friend l had trusted
the wife loved had betrayed me-had fed
toge her-where | scarce cared to ask.
was legally freed from the now hateful bond
Her name was forbidden, and | strove chow
vanly those who have loved deeply well know
to shut out the memory of her existance-and
thought that save for the child she had left
me had succeeded. had vowed that should
she ever kneel, pray for my forgiveness,
should turn from her and leave her in her mis-
cry, as she had left me. All these twelve lone
ly, unhappy years, / forgot the wife had loved
| remembered only the woman who had de-
ceived and dishonored me-who had taken with
her the sunshine from my life. | had ever
shrunk from the carcsses of my own daughter
when she too strongly reminded me of hel
mother. | had looked calmly iorward-re
vcngefully had almost sad-to this meeting
for twelve years, and now that accidentally
providentinlly, if YOU Wilt had occurred, my
heart futtered as if it had beat but for sixteer
summers, instead of gathering rust for five
and-ffty. My brain was in a whirl. | coulC
decide on no single course of action. Like a,
| l,prr cila na1
stood up and charged me with being accessor,
to my wife's fall. She came to me gentle
loving girl, grateful for the love that had PLACED
her above want, a friendless orphan, who clunI
confdingly leaned lovingly upon me. | wa
twenty years her senior; had marked out fo
| myself an ambitious course, from which evel
my love for her did not divert me. loved he
passonatey too but my love, after its first heat
was second to my ambition. Naturally sus
picious, doubted whether her love was augh
but gratitude. and to test it / grew exacting
Conscience now upbraided me with having FIRE
quently, coldly, even sternly, repulsed her whe
she sought by thousand devices that love onl
could suggest to win from me the endearing epi
thets | had been wont to lavish so freely upo
her. Then he-my friend-oame to reside i
our neighborhood He was much younge
than |, more nearly her own age, ardent il
! lpuptIuutHl, StHelOuS anu AhS ~
quency of my absences made me glad to accep
his services for her, and the two were conse
quently thrown much together. | must hav
been mad, infatuated, or | would have antic
pated the result.
And hep Where was he now! could nc
yet think calmly of the possibility OF his bein
yet alive. Unyielding, stern and prompt /
manner, had always been well adapted to fac
and battle with the harsh realities of life, bu
totally untitled for the display of the gentle
graces. Consciously wanting the tact to pou
the oil of consolation and forgiveness on tn
wounded spirit, in the manner and degree tht
it was able to bear, felt strongly the need {
third party able to sympathize with botl
loved by both, who should stand as mediate
between the injured husband aud the erin!
desolate wife. And for that office, who could
more suited than our daughter, equally near I
both Partalling sufficiently of my stern, rus
ged nature to appreciate me, she alone hO
dared to plead with me for her mother, to be
of me to try at best and learn her fate
l knew that the yearning for mothers 10y
was stronger with her than any feelings Of r.
sentiment for the shame and dshonor tn
, mother had brought upon her. But | wou
| not seek her till l had again looked on my wifi
las could scarce realize the wreck had sec
to be- till had satisfied myself that had n
been merely giving the rein to imagination, al
, investing stranger with the loved feature
the grace of movement, once my pride.
crept again down the court, up the brok,
\ | H.l.. L. 4