Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-09
Cousin Edith's Trial.
BY MRS, l.. $. GOODWIN.

u NhH. l.. :. GOODWIN.
Here it is, Cousin Edith" said return
ing from answering the postman's ring, 'Wil-
liston's handwriting. OF course nobody but
you had lover to be heard from every third
day"
The dissatisfaction in my voice was not al
together assumed for had been really dis
appointed that the letter was not for me.
Strangely enough, Edith did not spring
forward to take the missiyc from my hand /;
and gancing up, | saw her standing like a
statue, white and still.
Darling what did you fear ?" and hear
ing step in the hall, | slipped the letter in
to her pocket. Her arm, as touched it. was
cold as the dead. 1t seemed as ifthe weight
of my huger on the dress was moro than She
could bear aud 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 ?"
Il had suddenly flashed across my mind.
that Williston Nash, before he left us. had
talked most patriotically of the state of the
country, and very strongly limited at taking
a personal share in the grand struggle
e" 1t is nothing, don't mind me, Fanny"
replied Edith, in hurried tones and third
person entering the parlor at that moment
she slipped out by the opposite door.
When | stole up to her chamber half an
hour later the door was fast.
There had been something very singular in
my cousins department, or else had imagin-
ed it, ever since her lover left us the week
before. | knew that she loved him with pas
sionate idolatry still the brief separation.
which was all they anticipated, could not ae-
count for the seepless nights, the fits of weep
ing in solitude, and this final terror No; /
could but feel that some secret was weighing
heavily upon her spirits.
An hour or two after the receipt of the
letter, she had rallied again, and the day
passed as usual. That night, was con
hdent that it was only a pretence but,
as there was no reply when | whispered her
name, prepared noiselessy to lay down by
her side. How my heart pitied her in her
unguessed trouble How | wished she would
confde in me.
1t was little past midnight, and was
sleeping profoundly, when a shrek from
Edith rang in my ears She cluug wildly
around my neck, still crying out in agony,
'' It is all over, have seen him in fel-
on's cell. o Willston Willistou how
could you ?"
| tried to soothe her aud she dropped
her head upon the pillow again but con-
tinued to sob Historically.
4" Such dream have had wish had
not let myself 90 to sleep. have not dared
10 plao, to4aI,, /, = al c,,o. E...,., XU:i
liston Nash has been arrested, and his crime
will be proved against him. Oh | wish |
were dead %
" You are dreaming STILL" said |, never
doubling this was the case. " Wake up
dear, you know not the dreadful things you
have been saying"
81 Yes, know. Terrible indeed meant
never to reveal the secret, but carry it to my
grave But | cannot My heart is break
ing, Fanny"
knew not what to think. 1t almost
seemed as if my beautiful cousin was seized
with insanity. While reflected what next
to DO, she grew calmcr, and thus spoke,-
: He is anxious because have not answer
ed the letter he wrote the day after he went
away. How could |, knowing what did,
what he little suspects me Of knowing Fan
ny, do you not believe that demons are some
times permitted to enter the hearts of men,
even against their strivings aud lead them
whcresoeyer they will ?"
'' In that case" said |, " thoro can be no
free agency aud without free agency, there
is no accountability. But will you tell me,
Edith, what is the particular demon you al
lude to ~
"rhe demon of ayarice perhaps. | don't
know what he should do with the money
Who knows but he gambles ? Oh there is
nothing have not thought Of But / roW
tell you, though every syllable is like lance
in my heart You know the forged check
for FIVE thousand dollars purported to be sign
cd by Tarlclon 4 Co. Wiliston's employ
ers."
" Yes" replied wonderingly.
Fanny, there is no doubt but Wiliston
forged that check"
put out my hand, and drew the curtain
aside to lot in the moonlight, that might
see whether she was asleep or awake. Her
eyes were fixed and clear and | could see
into them to the very depths Of her soul |
confess that secret horror, lest the charge
she had uttered might be too well founded,
crept into my own heart Edith would never
speak in that way or look in that manner ex-
cept she knew whereof she affirmed. My
speech falterod as rejoinod,-
How can you believe such a thing ?
Some one surely has been at work to deceive
YOU"
Fanny" aud after my name came con-
pause, | saw it with my own
eyes"
Saw what Z"
Saw Williston Nash put the signature of
Tarleton & Go. to check for five thousand
dollars All y0u start now. You are
white in the moonlight as your pillow. Let
me tell you you see | am calm now. | be-
licve the first agony is over.
You remember the night before he was
to 60 to New York by the early train, he
took leave of us all, and retired to his cham
ber, saying he had some writing to do. For
some hours before had thought he seemed