Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-08

way, ue odlu uuI dI laoC Lucy pfotu'
ised to be my wife. He paused and
looked at me, but | did not stir
This day fortnight was fixed for our
marriage
l started up; | felt that must
strangle him. | could not hold out
any longer. I don't know what
said; but Pembridge held me off from
him with strength could not resist.
Hush is this your endurance ?
There was more sorrow than re-
proach in his voice-a sorrow that
nerved me to listen to the end. |
threw myself on the seat and covered
my face.
You think that | have made Lucy
nv wife, and that | am base enough
to exult in the misery that | have
brought on you. Well, | don't won
der; but you have not guessed the
truth. Three days before that fixed
for our marriage went to see her,
and learned that she was dead
| had so known what was coming
that | scarcely stirred. believe my
first sensation was relief; that my
darling had gone to her rest true to
me and to herself. But as | sat there
with my face bowed between my
hands, nature got too strong for self
control. | forgot all ABOUT Ralph
Pembridge; | saw only Lucy, my dar-
ling idolized wife, wasting slowly with
grief-weeping herself gradually to
death for the husband she had so dear
ly loved.
And there was no one to comfort
her; not one sympathizing heart to
comfort herp
Sobs burst from me; sobs that
shook me as if they would tear me
asunder in their efforts at freedom
but no tears came to my burning eyes.
| sat for some time in this fearless
agony, and then a touch on my arm
reused me. | looked up, tortured al
the interruption. Pembridge wa S
bending forward me there was ten.
/ derness of pity in his face that held
my anger in suspense, though | felt it
within me still.
We shall stop again directly, he
said; we are close to Bristol. Shall
| guide You at once to Lucy'S grave.
/ nodded; felt reckless as tc what
became of me. never gave a tho't
to my luggage, or the bag | had with
me in my carriage. When the train
stopped | jumped up ready to follow
him. 1t seemed to me that this could
not be the terminus; it looked SO dark
and gloomy, but | had not time to
look or to speculate. Pembridge
moved past me to the door.
Follow me closely he said, or il
the darkness you may lose me-
He let down the wiadows and op
ened the door. The night had grown
colder.
/ Come, Che looked over his shouI.
der as he stood on the step come to
Lucy's grave.
The words were hardly spoken
when he gave long despairiDg shrek
that for an instant paralyzed me witt
its shriIl horror. | thought he was
falling, then | grasped at him to save
him, if it were possible. My hand
closed on something, and | pulled al
it desperately. | threw myself back
in the carriage to aid in my efforts
but that wailing shrek never ceased
Good heavens! what is this
opened my eyes widely. and look ar
ound with giddy, dazed senses.
The keen night wind whirls into my
face as the train rusheS on, and min
gIed with the wind is a damp, under
ground atmosphere. | am standing
at the open door of my carriage, hold
ing on by the arm-sIing grasped in my
hand.
That is all | am conscious of, ex
cept heavy, reeling sensation, contu
sing sense and memory, and then
felt myself sink on the seat by whicl
| stood. | rouse up with feeling
that my eyes are being put out.
'HuIlo, sir Wake up, please
Bristol, sir; here you are
The guard holds bulls eye Lantern
close to my face, and there is grouE
of porters and passengers round The
open door of the carriage. How
came the door open?' Has he haC
a ftp and sundry other questions
buzz around me. Ny senses come
back to me slowly, and | recogniz,
one in the circle Of peering faces;
burly, red-faced porter, the patriarch
of the terminus.
Why, it's Capt. Oswold,' he says
Why, Captain, this will be stunning
news for your good lady
| stared at the man, wonderingly
Ny feeling had been that OF sorrow
at being aroused to confront my mis-
cry; now a new thought comes:
Where is Mr.. Pembridge? hay
you found him? is he alive?'
The circle fall back simultaneously
and | see the guard put finger to hi
forehead, and wink at the rest.
My red-faced friend touches his ha
respectfully. Lean on me as 70
; get out, sir he says, in low voice
,, this is good step down Ther
, when | am safely landed, he whispers
Bless your heart. sir haven't 20
+ heard Mr.. Pembridge died some week
since
y Joy did not kill my darling, thoug
anxiety had sorely tried her, Luc
had never believed in my death, an
, had refused to put on mourning.
Ralph Pembridge had himself show
y her the report in the newspaper, an
! something in his manner had arouse
! her suspicious. From that day 81
refused to see him any more.
j.. 1T is strange to think said, 'th;
y after death the poor fellow near
: worked me more evil than he ever d
< in life. But for that arm sling | sho
n have been crushed to death in the tn
; mel.
D Lucy shuddered and clung to me.
t But for Providence, darling, 81
whispered, who watched over yo,
= fearful dream, o what a Christm
II eve tnis had been!
4, | A x-oupn bopae,l frop, tho ,oupt,