Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-10-30
COUSIN EDITH'S TRIAL.
By MRS. l.. s. GOODWIN.

ring W lliston's handwriting OF
course mol o ly but you had lover to be-
heard from every third day.
The dissatisfaction in my voice was
not altogether assumed for had been
re lily disappointed that the letter was
not for me.
Strangely enough, Edith did not,
spring forward to take the mssivc from
my hand; and, g ancing up l saw her
standing like statue, white and still.
Darling! what did you fear?" and
hearing a step in the hall, slipped the
letter into her pocket. Her arm, as
touched it, was cold as the dead. It
seemed rs if the weight of my finger ON
the dress was more than she could bear;
and she sank upon the sofa.
"What is it, Edith ?' said again.
"The letter is mailed in New York. Did
you fear you had hero in the war,
dear?"
1t had suddenly flashed across my
mind, that Willston Nash, before he
left us, ha talked most periodically of
the state. o. the country, and very
strongly limited at taking a personal
shar. in the grand struggle.
1T is nOthing,-dOn't mind me, Fam
ny" replied Edith in hurried tones
and, third person entering the parlor
at that moment, she slipped out by the
OPP ositC door
When l ole up to her chamber half
an hour lat +, the door was fast.
There had been something very
singular in my Cousins depCrtment--or
else l had immagined it--ever since her
lover left us the week before. knew
that she loved him with assionate idol
atary: still the blief separation, which
was all they anticipated, could not nc
count for the sleepless nights, the fits of
weeping in solitude, and this final ter
| ror. No: coul but feel that some
secret was weighing heavily upon her
spirits.
An hour or two after the receipt Of the
letter, she had rallied aga n, an the day
passed as usual. That night, when 1
was confident that 1T was only pre-
tencc; but, as there was no reply when
lssl, to lay down by he. side. How my
heart pitied her in her unguessed
trouble! How wished she would con-
tide in me.
1t was little past mi might, and
was sleeping profoundly, when shrek
from Edith lang in my ears. She chung
wildly around my neck, still cryI,g out
Agony
1T is all over, l have seen him in
felon's cell. 0 Williston! Williston!
how could you {"
her head upon the pi low again, but
continued to sob Historically.
such dream have had wish
had lot let myself so to sleep. have
not dared to sleep lately. 1t is all over,
Fanny. WillisIon Nash has been ar
rested, and his crime will be proved
agains him. Oh! wish were deadv"
You are dreaming still, (" said l, nev-
er doubling this was the case. awake
l., Il. lc..I
things you have been saying"
"Y.s, l know. Terrible indeed! I
meaat never to reveal the secret, butcar-
ry it TO my grave. But l cannot. My
heart is breaking, Fanny"
l knew not what to think. 1t almost
seemed ne ifmy beautiful cousin was
seized wi h insanity. While refiecoed
what next to do, she grew calmer and,
thus spoke
" He is anx Gus because / Lave not
answered the letter he wrote the day
knowing what did, what he little sus-
poets me OF knowing? Fanny, do you
not believe that demons are some times
permitted to enter the hearts of men,
even against their strivings, and lead
tn I'm withersO ,ver they will 2"
I'm that case" said I, "there can be
no free agency; and, without free sgen-
cy, tnere 1T no accountability. But will
you tell me. Edith, what is the particu-
lar demon you alludet0"
1.-The demon of nvarice perhaps. I
don't know what he should DO with the
money. Who knows but he gam. les
Oh! there is nothing have not thought
= Of But aOW tell you, though every
! syllable is like lance in my heart.
You know the forged check for five
thousand dollars purported to be signed
, by Tarleton Co., Williston's employ
ers."
Yes replied wcnderipgly.
"ranny, there is no doubt but Willis
ton forged that check"
Iput out my hand, and drew the cur
tain aside to let in the moonlight,
that might see whether she was asleep
d, OF awake, Her eyes were fixed and
clear; and could see into them to the
very depths of her soul. I confess that
q secret horror, lest tue charge she had
+ utt,rcd might be toe we'll founded, crept
a.. into my own heart,-E iith would new
Il er speak in that way or look in that
+ manner except she knew whereof she
affirmed. My speech faltered as I re-
y joined
:, How can you believe such a thing
e Some onesurely has been at work to de-
e ceive YOU"
: "ranny,"-and after my name came
: considerable lause, IL saw it with my
own eyes"
"SaW what?"
'Saw Williston Nash put the sigma
ture of Tarleton & Co., to check for Ave
f., thousand dollars. All goa start now.
You are white in the moonlight as your
pillow, Let me tell you; you see am
calm now. l belive the first agony is
over. b..
"You remember the night before he
r was to go New York by the early train,
he took leave of US all, and retired to his
chamber saving he bad some writing to