The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-03-26

cyc wis 50 inIlllltely INC superior OF ono
for whom he was deserving her, and the
little year old baby, who was Just learn.
ing to lisp "father" to him as he fondcJ
him.
Of the wild tempest which tossed hei
soul at this time she dreaded to think
even now. 1t had been 50 near to mad
ness that it was terror TO her yet. But
pride had always been one of her ruling
passions, and, instead Of pleading with
him with woman's tenderness, as some
might have done, had treated him with
cUllncss and disdain, and with rcproach.
ful scorn had goaded him on to take the
last step in the dreadful drama.
lie had deserted her, and with the
blue eyed woman had sailed for distant
land. Never since that time, now nearly
twenty years. had she left, except Tor her
lonely walks, the old gray house. She
shut herself up like hermit, and with
wild and bitter glief cursed herself and
her God. Down into the deepest gloom
Of despair she went, where never single
ray Of heavenly light and comfort reached
her. Her Child, indeed she had left
but although she loved him with all the
concentrated passion of her nature, he
seemed little comfort TO her, She brood
ed continually upon the darkness of her
fate, and upon the fathomless depths Of
despair into which she was sinking
Then the child died, and her last
human interest went; and she made its
little grave in the tangled garden, and
every year covered it thick with flowers.
But in her heart no white blossom of hope
had ever sprung up, no purple pansy of
royal mngnanimity and forgi,ncss had yet
blo>somed there. And this night, after
SO MANY yeats, she was living it all over
again with tragic interest, and no sUltencd
feelings Of rtlenting or forgiveness entered
her stern heart
ale is very happy" she thought TO
herself rs she wended her way back and
stood by her little grave; che is very
happy, for he can stand by his chills
bed and wcep and 50 could |, if had
his hope. o my darling, my darling,
darling boyl" and she stoopcl down,
and threw her arms clrelcssy over the
little mound.
"Oh, if God would only, only let me
meet you once more o my God, why
cannot forgive and be forgiven I"
my sister," said the klni old man
coming up and hearing her last words
and feeling how vain it would be to rea.
snn or expostulae with this woinan,- Z"
let us pray" and, almost before she
knew it, they were knecins by the little
ones grave" AMI, before the old minister
had concluded his simple but TO lchlng
prayer, the woman, who,e heart had been
stone Tor 50 many years, was weeping,
weeping with passionate sobs like a little
child and when he had concluded, she
arose, and without word made her way
into tic house, and soon the red light
shone in the little window.
Somehow after this n more gentle feel
ing crept into the heat Of Mrs. Wayland.
a softer light came into her eye, and
more gentle tremor was in her voice as
she addressed the old minister, who saw
that she was touched, hut was too wise
ID NEEDLE farther than was absolutely
necessary with the good work which he
was sure was gong on.
1t was not many weeks from the even
ing of which have spoken, when, as she
was returning from her evening walk, she
beheld scene of hustle around the door
OF her house, a carriage was driving
away, ard II trunk stool upon the steps,
while some figures seemed just entering
the door whom she could not distinguish
in the gathering darkness. ''Dr. Ashy
has some friends come," she thought, with
do with them ;" and she walked quickly
to the house. AS she turned into tho
cherries dining room,-the only room
which was ever used below,-she saw,
stretched upoh couch, the figure OF a
man propped up bv pillows, which seem
ed TO have been hastily brought, and
10 king pallid and wan. She walked
quickly forward, but when she had reach.
ed the middle Of the room, she stopped
like one tran,fxcd, and with wild eyes
full of eagerness AMI something like joy,
lIuked about her.
Mortimer Wayland !" she exclaimed
at last, grasping the table for support.
"Why come you here :"
81 have come home to die, 4 gnes. |
could not die anywhere else; have been
for years trying to do 50, but God would
not let me. was forced to come and
seek your forgiveness. and God will not
take me until have it yet dare not
ask you TO grant it it ia too muchl" At
this the sick man shut his eyes wearyily,
aud sud no more.
'Forgiye US our sins as we forgive
those who trespass against u.s." solcmnly
said the voice of the old minister who
was sitting near the couch upon which
The man lay.
"0h, ,sir,you cannot know what it is for
me 10 ask Of her Most wrongs may be
forgiven; but nine against her is 50 great
that she cannot forgive me, am sure,
unless God helps her. have been suf
ering for it these twenty years,-trying to
expiate it; but have failed. l have
suffered, have struggled, have almost
died many times, sir; but | could not
atone for my sin, and God could not