The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-12-27

almost an angel. could have staked my
life on her purity, and yet you, her moth
er, come to me with such dreadful words
| wish you would tell me all - it is my
right to know
The strong man was weeping as only
men can weep. His agony was fearful but
there was no signs of reenting in the face
that looked at him.
At last she spoke. "Alice is pure, ,and
by Gods help will keep her SO. You
demand an explanation as your right
You shall have it." And then for the
second time that day, recounted the end.
ing of those uncompletcd years of the
life that had gnne out in the shadow oil
her prayer.
1t is but justice to say that the man
looked as though he suffered when he was
listening Was it for his sin, or because
sin had brought its own retributon
God knoweth.
The story ended she asked "Wha,
have you to say?'
He acknowledged 1t, for he could moi
well do otherwise, but he asked. "Sure
ly Mrs. Maynard, you will not separate
Alice and for this indiscretion which has
happened to end so disastrously? Yor
do not know how common such thing,
are; why, | could point out to you many
an incident involving some of the bcs
men in our society. | shall be true tt
Alice in every sense of the word. | dc
not need to tell you that, am sure. Lee
this unfortunate occurrence remain be
tween us two, and the devotion of sol
shall win your confidence again, and in o,ll
happiness you will soon forget the scene:
and talk of to-day. | wish, indeed
do, that twas in my power to make som'
reparation to that poor girl. | tell you
| will send money to the house and he
handsomly buried"
She heard him through, then said 81,
what right do you demand purity il
Alice that SO far exceeds you own
"lt,s different altogether. Is it posi-
BILE. Mrs. Maynard, that a woman of you
age doesn't understand something of th
ways of the world p
81 have had lesson in them to-da
that | am not likely to forget. You say
the mother of your children must be
pure. Do you think you will be hel,
guiltless Is there no danger of the sin
of the father being visited upon the chill
! dren d? | will say nothing of the youny
. life that has gone out in darkness. Got
. knows ifher soul, sin-stained and crushed
will be required at your hands at tha
time when the wrongs Of the world shal
be in some measure righted. But Alice
/; purity can never be mated with you
crime. | hold you, Robert Ainswort
just as surely murderer as though yo
had in moment Of passion shot my Alic
through the brain. She believes, in he
trusting heart, that you can prove your
self innocent | go to tell her you ar
f guilty, and that by your own words do
condemn you"
e "Have you no hope for me in the fl
e ture? You forget that you are wreck
| ing Alice's life as well as mine. Ca
e you not forgive me? 1t would be carry
D ing out the mandates of Him you profes
, to serve. My life shall redeem the past
r 81 hope it may, if it is possible.
;, forgive you, though | thought when
1 wiped that forehead and closed those eye
which had once looked so eagerly for you
coming, that it would be impossbl,
Had she lived, would you have deeme
:: her fitting companion for Alice?
know no law that makes her more gui
: ty than you. Alice will mourn over he
+, shattered idol, but strength is born ofsu
: fering; she will learn wisdom of its sier
;, lessons, and she will yet be thankful tina
:, she was saved from destiny worse tina
', DEATH"
. Days after, Dame Rumor credite
Robert Ainsworth with crowniug act t
his well known liberty. Inasmuch
h he paid all the expenses of poor girl
burial"
Just like him." said some one to Mr.
Maynard. ale is so benevolent. III
: woman that gets him for a husband wi
y have prize"
:, 1t is possible that he may think diffe
= emily, if his conscience is not too leniel
= towards him.
!, God will judge between them. 81
: fell from her love for him. He, throug
. his selfish lust. How many times in Ii
= = has that proved dross which is counte
gold.