The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-03-22

cara set down my mothers cup as
entered the room, and | noticed that
her ring was open.
I don't know what made me thrill
and grow cold | associated nothing
/ but vague wonder with the strange
ring; but | shrank away from the Wei
Gus light in Iara's eyes, scared and
white She smiled wickedlyi and the
others coming in, we all sat down to
breakfast.
Although did not look toward her,
| knew that Iara's cruel eyes watched
me like n basilisk.
As my mothers hands passed the
coffee to the rest, and huallv filed her
own cup, an impulse which could not
resist took me to her side.
She turned toward nc foudly.
ut is my darlng's birthday. Has
she come for her gift ?" kissing me.
Mamma, you always grant me
/ whatever l first ask this morning"
'If You are not unreasonable, try
ing to smile
Nay, if ! am foolish, you say yes"
tDDt Will. w uHI Is IL
Drink coffee this morning, my
dearest mamma"
King, my brother laughed. cara,
too, very swectly. Zara leaned for
ward and put hand upon my Shout
der
"Shall | take tea, little one she
asked, piercing me with her sharp
eyes.
What nonsen Sc" exclaimed my
father. "Margaretta, will take tea
this morning. ! am not we'll
Silently my mother passed him the
cup she had prepared for myself.
He received it, and reached for
sugar to add to it.
With low cry CARA sprang from
her seat.
"Tea is not good for the nerves,
sir, she said
My father looked up in surprise at
her quiyering lips and white face.
She smiled.
Tea is not good for you, indeed, .
she said, trying in vain to steady her
voice.
My father stared; my mother trem-
bled. Cara looked at no one but my
father Her eyes were fixed upon his
face in an agony too keen to be mis-
taken.
Are you out of your senses, child?''
said my father, kindly, setting down
the cup and arresting Cara hand on
the way to it.
She bent her head and whispered
in his ear. He laughed.
"Well, upon one condition. You
shall give me your coffee, lara, and
you take this. l can have my whims,
can't l. too q
Laughing, but with still CHASTITY
face, Xara exchanged cups with him.
My mother had, meanwhile, sent
for another cup for herself; and, feign-
ing to see and hear nothing of what
was going on, was drinking her tea. |
stood by her, unable to cut, chilling
with an apprehension could not have
explained.
Has it spoiled your appetite ques-
toned my father, presently, pointing
to Zara's untasted tea.
Cara tried to smile, shook her head
and rose to leave the table; but die
not go.
My mother at the same moment lee
me from the room.
"Alicel" said she, with n sternness
she had never before used to me
"what did you mean by asking me tc
drink coffee this morning ?"
"Mama--' | began, in terror.
"Nay, tell me"
SIT was nothing
II was indeed nothing nothing
that | could tell, it seemed to me but
my mother had patience, and when
she softened toward me | told her ev-
cry triAe of both the morning before
and this.
She heard me through, and went
back to the breakfast parlor,
l did not dare to follow but ]
heard her ask Iara if she might look
at her ring
lara drew back. / could see hen
now. She shook her head haugh tily
My mother insisted. My father ap
j preached.
"Margaretta, he began
My mother turned toward him q
face of agony and reproach.
'Are you in league with her Will
helm ? Do YOU want me dead ?-sC
bad as that The cup she dared moi
5 drink herself is poisoned ; she meant
it for me
, My father grew pale an instant and
then smiled
Absurd, Margaetta
A sort of frenzy swept over my mo-
i Their She snatched the cup of untas
ted tea from the table, and pnt it in
my fathers hand.
Let her prove her innocence by
} drinking"
My father looked puzzled.
81 will drink it instead" he said
pleasantly.
Xara extended her hand at once
at is SO little" she said, give it to
me = took it, and slowly drained
the cup, with her wild eyes fixed upon
my fathers face with an intensity o.
expression shall never forget.
Then with n SLIGHT inclination ot