The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-01-12

There is a marked change in the
countenauce of the younger, it has
lost the boyish look of impulse and
passion.
"Now tell me about yourself, Regin-
aid" said Frank, after long and an
mated account of his haps and mis-
haps since they parted but par
don me l ought to have inquired be-
fore this after the health and welfare
of Mrs. Curtis"
There was slight embarrassment
in his manner as lie said this, for he
could not but remember, and with
shame, the unjust charge he had
brought against her.
81 cannot inform you was the
grave reply, "not being acquainted
with that lady as yet"
"You don't mean to say, Reginald,
that you're not married What has
become of Kate Vernon? Thought
Chat / would make her my wife
who triled SO heartlessly with your
happiness l have not seen her since
the day you enlisted"
As Frank heard this. an expression
of mingled pain and contrition shad-
owed his face
80, Reginald, fear that you-that
we both have done her a great wrong"
"What do you mean, Frank -? Have
you been deceived in this thing?"
Not Intentionally. believe me,
brother Blinded by my disappointed
and resenful feelings, believed what
l wrote you She told me that she
supposed I knew Of the relation she
sustained to you, and never dreamed
that 1 would misinlerpret the sisterly
freedom with which she treated me-
and on looking back, believe on my
honor that she spoke truly ] will see
her, and take all the blame on myself
ut is too latel She was married
last week to Arthur Dillingham; p
As Reginald said this he lett the
room, as though he dared not say
more.
'Miss Vernon-Mrs. Dillingham;,
meant should not have presumed
TO seek an interview, but since chance
has favored me, hear me. | beseech
you as a simple act Of justice to one Of
the noblest of men and the best of
brothers :"
The person ADDRESSED resumed
her seat, fixing her clear, steady
ewes with look of surprise upon
the eountenance OF the speaker,
Lieut.. Frank Curtis, whom she had
not met since his return. She listened
in silence to the eloqaently -worded
confession that followed, and his gen
erous yindication of his brothers char
acter and motives, though her counte-
nance showed that she was strongly
agitated.
Il am glad to learn that Colonel
Curtis does me this tardy justice, she
said, as he concluded 'But you give
me a title to which l have no right; it
is my cousin Catherine that married
Mr.. Dillingham;
"Thank God then it is not too
late! And that separated You shall
be the happy instrument Of bringing
you again together, never to part
again.
"Nay Lieutenant Curtis, it is too
late for that. Your brother misjudged
and abandoned me without giving me
an opportunity for yindication, and
| can never be more TO me than he is
now p
5 "But Kate"
Here the speaker was interrupted
t by hand upon his shoulder, and
turning, he saw his brothers pale but
composed countenance
leave us, Frank. / can plead mJ
$ own cause"
Il said that | could plead my own
cause" he resumed, as soon as they
! were left alone, his tone changing to
t one of deep and thrilling tenderness
5 II say more l will accept no decision
save from your own lips. Tell me,
is there no voice in your heart to
, plead for me, as have no right to
plead ?"
= Had Reginald ,oritten this, Kate
could have sent back cold and proud
= reply; but ah, the subtitle magnetism
of his presence, the eyes that looked
into hers, the hand that clasped hel
own! Loving him as she did, how
could she resist these
, There was a brief but violent struS.
gle; then bursting into tears, she laid
her head upon his shoulder.
"You wounded my heart so cruel
ly y she faltered.