Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-14

dChuOWiSuSo tiidt olu uhuCl tuc oCdt
of the confessional ?"
I sat where | could see Isabel Ran
dolph's face. 1t grew white as ashes
in the dusky twilight.
at would avail nothing to you,"
she said, "but it might avail much to
me. can imagine cases where con-
fession-the dropping at another's
feet of a life long brden-would be
JOY beyond all otlpr joys, but where
duty and self-abneg.tion forbid it
The punishment of Ein may sometimes
be the impossibility of confession"
was studying tie woman curious
ly. Was she dealing in glittering
generalities, or was she hiding in her
own bosom some deadly secret that
was poisoning her Efe? | could not
tell. But | gave utterance to the
thought that came u2permost.
"You are right, Ms. Randolph. 1t
seems to me that sometimes silence
concerning an error committed, a
wrong done, may be the only repara-
tion in our power Under some cir
cumStances, silence may be the truest
heroism. 1t may mean the bearing of
our own burdens; confession may
mean a cowardly seeking for relief
a shifting of at least part of the
burden to another's shoulders"
A ghost of a smile lowered about
her mouth for an instant.
Sometimes, if speech is silver, ST.
leuce is golden" she said Then, as
she left the room, she added, lightly ::
doctor, when | turn Catholic, you
shall be my father confassor. Good
night"
For the next fortnigh l was very
busy. Some sort of an endemic was
prevailing among the quTrymen, and
| had scarcely moments leisure
My usual visit at the Elns had been
prevented by laboring day and night.
But one day little twisted note was
brought to me. 1t contained only
these words:
"Come to me if You can, doctor.
need you. R. l."
| went Immediately, AID was ush-
cred into Mrs. Kandolpts dressing
room. She lay upon a OUNCE, was
white and wasted. TIE last two
weeks had wrought a marvellous
change in her. l crossed the room
hurriedly, and took her hand.
You are ill, | said. Why have
you not sent for me befole? What
has Randolph been thinking OFF,"
You have been so busy" she an
swered. "Is the sickness abating ?"
Yes" | said. But we won't talk
about that now. What is the matter
with you ? That is the question under
consideration. You should have sent
for me before"
She looked at me earnestly.
Really am not so much worse
than have been" she replied, " only
l am more exhausted than usual to
day. Besides, you cannot help me
DR.. Bellenger"
"Pshaw not help you Why not
Do not go to being low spirited now
or to undertaking my professional,
skill. Why can't heIpycu, l should
, like to know ?"
because l am dying, DR.. Bellen
ger"
This startled me a little. But
was too much accustomed to sucl
things to be thrown off ny guard.
, " You are not dying" said. "Yot
have no disease about YOU. You are
weak, and have a touch of the blues
You need iron and salt water. Dud
ley must take you to the seaside.
She shook her head.
= You know you are not telling The
truth, doctor. See herem and sh,
, held up her thin transparent hand
How long will that be above the sod
Put your hand here. How long viii
it take to wear out heart that beat.
. at this rate? Doctor, | do not wan
to live, so do not burden your con
4 science with falsehood on my account.
There was an unnatural hardnes
g in her voice-a steelly CLEAN in tn
D eyes that were wont to be so soft an,
b tender. Presently said
b Il cannot minister to a mind dis
t eased,' Mrs. Randolph. If you vii
n die, you will. But it is some hidder
t grief that is wearing your life out
n 1t is no heart disease or other bodil
|, ailment that is beyond cure.
r She cast one quick, startled glanc
t at my face; then covered her eye
p with her hands. watched her silent
h watched ber with a wordless pray
+ er. The burden of her untold grie
d was upon me. Suddenly she turne
t toward me, stretching out both he
hands with an eager, passionate ges
n ture, while great tears raised from he
e eyes.
e 40 my friend !" she cried, :" l mu;
t speak. | thought to have carried m
} heavy burden to the grave with IN,
a But it Oppresses, it appals me. cal
d not meet God with this weight upo
ir my soul. I must speak"
N | took both her hands in mine, an
d strOve to soothe her into calmness.-
d trembled before the spirit | had e
o. oked. But she only cried the more.
must speak. have borne th
a weight Of silence so long, so long,
2. Looking out of the window | sa
s. Mr.. Randolph and little Clyde ju
Of going over the brow OF the hill yonde
hand in hand, as usual. pointed
s. them.
you must calm yourself for the
ID sakes," | said, gently. This excit
in ment is too much for you. To-mo
Of row, if you will, you shall speak, b.
~ to-day you must rest
Tomorrow is myth, dream
IN she answered. "Only to-day is rea
| must speak now while they are ava
IN while | have time. You must he;
It, me-"
"See," | said, thinking to lead h
le thoughts in another direction" Sc
T. They are going fishing. How cle'
e. the air is to-dayl You can see the
It, faces distinctly even at this distan'
the faces of both father and son.