The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-11-15

desperate then.
al shall be as glad TO 20, ms you car
be. Not for the wealth of all the world.
not for the joys of heaven itself, would
he your wife two days longer. A maI
who is cowarlly enough to offer woman
the teadlicst insult because he has the
power 10 do il, and is tired of her"
"Siop, girl"
lie caught my wrist roughly. and
swung me around 50 that he coull loOl;
into my face. The action was performed
more roughly than lac intended, perhaps.
and my head struck against sharp cor
ner of the mantle. | was worn out with
my labor by Mrs, Fry's bedside; ! W Is
weak with excitement, aud that blow fin
she'd the work. falntel.
When returned TO consciousness my
husband was Ilneeing beside me.
"Mimic, God knows that | didn't in
tend to do this. | love you dear in spite
/ # all Only say that you forgive me for
/ this, and will never reproach you again s.
lie gathered me in bis arms and press
ed kisses on my lips | turned away in
sudden loatling. lie understood the
movement. felt his strong frame shiy-
or.
'A'ou will let me call doctor. at
least, won't you, Minnie ?" laying my
head down gently ON the pillow II
feel like murderer when look at you 3"
There is no need" l replied, coldly,
wiping away the blood tiai trickcd down
the side Of my face. "I'he Gu. Is not
dangerous, and even if it were, | don't
want phySiclHn TO come here and got II
lint Of this nights work."
lie sat down in silence upon the foot
Of the lounge and covered his face with
his hands. | could see his breast heuyc.
and Il few tears, wruuG from the strong
man in his anguish, dropped unhccded
upon the floor
The sight Of his distress ill not move
me in the least. The words he hul
spoken wcre still ranking like poisoned
arrows il my heart. | got up presently
and went into the other room, closing
the door behind me. wanted TO be
alone, where | conld think. In twenty
minutes my decision was made. | would
90 TO Mrs. Lander
She WAS an old lady, wealthy and
childiess. She had been my mothers
friend. and icit sure would bcrricnd me
io the extent of taking me into her s,r.
vice as scam'trcs>, lady's maid, or COM
panion-l would be glad OF amy situation
that would enable me to earn my own
living. | had little money of my own
the remainder of "A Srlall sum | had be-
fore malriagc-cnough to take me to the
city whore Mrs. Lander resided.
a train would leave at ten o'clock for
c., and by hurrying Il little | shonld
be i'll time for it. moved about noise
lessly. gathering together few articles of
wearlnc apparel, things that had been
part of my wedding outfit. carefully cx-
Guiding everything that john had given
me. in trunks and clothes press were
number!rss garments that he had bough;
me ior lie had always bcan lavish in his
gifts TO his ''li.tlc wife" as he called me
pretty dresses, dainty handkcrchicis,
shoes aud skirts, and IL set of plain, but
elegant .iewc!ry. wanted none OF them
nothing that would remind me of this
night or Of him. Even his picture and
the letters he had written me, carefully
cherished ill now. were left undi,turhed
in the velvet recess where | alwav, kept
them, and the keys were left in the
locks
When all was done, paused to listen
John WAS walking up and down the floor
and would NOT hear me With noscIc>s
movement lifted tie latch and stepped
ont into the open air There was no
moon, but the stars were all twinklng
brightly.
Ponto was lying on the step He got
up, wagging his tail when he saw me.
and laid his head against my arm as
bent to carcss him. DO not think me
foolish that kissed the atitctionrte crca-
lurc: he was the only thing in the
world that | had 10 love. He would
have followed me, bnt | ordered him
back, and with my satchc on my arm,
sped down ihe garden walk, out through
the little gatc 'hat opened into the alley,
and away TO the Cepot.
had calculated closely. | had lust
time to take my seat in the car before the
train started, and ! was borne away, fast
as the ron horse could travel, away from
my husband and my home--mine no
longer.
Early in the morning l presented my
self before Mrs. Lander. She received
me kindly, and to her | told my story.
She listened intcntly till had told her
all, aud, laying her hand ON my shoulder,
said, sadly:
'''Iust so | parted from my young hus-
band, in anger and bitterness of spirit,
and-l never saw him again | shall
never see him till the sea gives up its
derd"
Her words awed and impressed me,
but did not shake my resolution. After
while | preferred my petition.
"Will you keep my secret and give me
something TO do, Mrs Landerl l shall
never live again with my-with John
Carson, and ! am willing to do anything
50 that can earn an honest living"
She looked at me seriously.
"Of course will keep your secret, my
child. But as for work, you are not fit
for IT now. Your nervous system is very