National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-02-04


20 back into the world 2 l asked,
interrupting him for the first time.
Yes, often !; and plunge into its
dissipations, and drown my sorrow,
shame, and remorse.'
'Have you ever heard of your
wife {.
''Yes. My friend wrote me that
she entered convent. You have
heard my story truly, all the names
connected with it. They must die
with me-
Pardon me. But are you not
committing a great sin in thus bury
ing your life and talents because of
the pertidy of one woman! All are
not like her. Such instances, thank
Heaven, are rare. Aud you might
yet know what it is to possess the
love of q true and affectionate wo-
man.
'Why,' he exclaimed fiercely, do
you talk to me of such a thing p
Even if it might he, how could |
offer my broken life and fortunes
and withered heart to another-I.
with my hand stained with blood
and the mark of Cain upon my
brow +! All !! may God keep you from
ever knowing the terrible remorse
Of the murderer
your brooding so long in seclu.
sion has given you a morbid view of
the matter. You are not so guilty
as you suppose. Any jury in the
land would acquit you of the killing
of the man who has blasted your
home and robbed you Of your honor
1T may be 80. Let it pass. The
world might eXenOrate me.but there
is retributive justice for the taking
of human life,else why do | read on
every leaf and flower 'Nengence is
mine, saith the Lord, and 1 will re-
pay itF | see it now i'll letters of
flame rising from yonder embers. 1t
is written everywhele-everywhere
His voice sank to whisper
then to u moan, and his head fell
upon his clenched hands.
a faint streak of dawn stole in at
the window.
Presently he, too, saw it and muir.
INJURED:
Thank God the night is past
Then, as if to Danish the thought
be arose, ,kindled the fire, and begun
preparing breakfast; but never af
terward during the week Of my stay
did he allude, in the slightest man
ner, to the conversation of that
sleepless night.
AS soon as was sufficiently re
covered, he accompanied me down
the mountain to the staaggiing Its
tie village nestled ut its foot. We
parted just before we reached it,
and both of our eyes were wet with
tears as we wrung each others hand.
May l come again ? | asked.
when l am weary of the hustle and
din of the city
Yes. when you need nursing =
but bring no one with you, and tell
no one the story of the lone cabin
| III tttC vi tHC tCN'
man Who dwclls in it,
A word or two of thanks-anoth
er pressure of the locked hands,and
he was gone. ! watched his tall
torn as 1t disappeared up the wind
ing path, and, muslngly. started upon
my homcward journey. Truly a
sad and strange page of human life
had been opened to me.
All of the following summer !
was engrosscd i'll business. There
Was no vacation for me until the
snow lay again upon the mountains
Then, weary aud Overtasked, turn
cd toward the little cabin. The
wind sighed through the tall pines
dismally as | climbed the steep
pathway, and the stars were hidden
10y flying clouds. At length could
see the little window ; but there was
no light streaming through it,
BlOdget had not left the country. I'D
asked about him at the village.tav
n, and been informed by the land
lord, with an ominous shake of tn.
head, that he had been drinking
deeply for the past year, and ht
guessed that, if he did not stop, h'
would soon find his end, and harC
one, too.
l had gathered from his own lips
during my former visit, that the Onl,
fOrgetfulness or rest he found wal
in the wine cup; but saw nothing
to lead me to suspect that he i'll
dulged to excess. This / thougA
of as l reached the cabin, and my
fears for the worst were aroused. -
Suddenly cry rang out above thu
wailing of the wind so distinct an'
loaded with anguish that it almOs
caused my heart to ceasei ts beating
| shall never forget tit was to,
terrible for that. For moment
found it impossible to 60 on; but
summoning my courage, l reaches
the door,and knocked loudly. Their
was no reply save the bark Of thu
faithful hound. | whlstlcd, Gale,
{ him by name, raised the latch, an,
entered. A feeble light stealing il
through the open GoOr revealed th'
figure of my friend stretched upo'
his rude bed. The fire had die,
down to cnbers upon the hcartli.-
The dog that was lying ut the fee
of the rcclusc got up and licked III.
, hand in recognition. Low moan
: and disjointed lnutterings came frou
the lips Of the lone hunter. thie,
an armful Of wOtNi upon the fire, AM