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

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| shrank from naming her to him,
and yet | was so impelled to speak
thai the words seemed to rush from
my lips.
He had been looking at me 8teadi-
ly ever since he raised his head, but
now he stared at me with a searching
look that thrilled me, for no words, |
think, have such power to stir anxiety
as fixed silent look of reply to an
eager question.
Your wife! he said, and then he
stopped.
There was none Of the old offensive
IofinesS in his voice. Instead, it
sounded fall Of simple wonder-such
a tone as might be used to the sleep
er who, suddenly awakening, asks for
the gifts bestowed on him in dream.
1t struck me for the first time with
vague dread for Lucy'S safety. Then
a sudden, curious shifting look in
Pembridge'S eyes sent me off on a new
track, and ! remembered Capt. Tuck
er's news.
4 hear some one has been, | said
bitterly, coming lies about me. You
didn't expect me home again so soon,
fancy
tried to speak slowly, out | was
thirsting to hear how Lucy had borne
the cruel tidiug5 Of my death.
Pembridge smiled.
lfancy' he echoed my last words
that YOU wonld have been wiser to
stay away, Capt. OswoId.'
No doubt you think so, but your
opinion does not trouble me-
have said before that one of the
things that had always set me against
Pembridge was the lofty way he had
. Of snecriug down those he considered
his interiors.
He had this way now. And as the
light fell full on his face, | thought he
looked like an evil spirit.
In this case, he sneered still, |
think you will find opinion united, un-
less you take pleasure in sorrow
Doubt was more terrible to me at
that moment than the most awful GER
tGinry could have been.
What do you mean? may find
SORROW caused by your villainy, but
the sight Of me will end it at once ;
your power to gricve and torment is
over
His face had grown cOnvulsed while
I spoke; he struggled vainly for
speech, but his words died away mar
ticulately.
| threw myself back in my corner.
felt as if | were travelling with a
poisoned snake. His fangs are drawn,
but lie IS noisome reptile.
He was looking at me again in the
same searching way. Instinctively
felt for my revolver. He is twice as
strong as | am; if he attacks me
haven't much chance-only | have
right on my side, and | believe scoun-
drcIs are generally cowards.'
avoided his eyes, but kept watch
on his movements.
Presently | heard him draw a deep
sigh.
| looked up inyoluntarily; there
was quite new expression in his face.
1t was deeply sorrowful, and again the
same cold forboding crept over me and
chilled my heart.
Captain Oswold'-his voice had
changed too, it was low and broken
You have called me hard names, and
Won have cause to think that have
injured you; but there will be no
more rivalry between You and me: we
may as well be friends
/ can't understand your motive |
said. You seem to admit that YOU
fabricated that account of my death in
the newspaper, and yet you pretend
to wish for my friendship Then, as
the thought Of Lucy's grief came back
to me, said abruptly, you have not
answered tie question about my wife.
Once more the same look of deep
. sorrow came over his face.
Have patience; l was coming to
that, he said, gently; but | was seek.
ING to prepare you. Yes, l admit
that l acted dishonorably in fabrica.
ting the news of your death; but YOU
Of all men should find excuse for me
was mad, absolutely mad, with love
for Lucy
You say this to my facet | half
rose from my seat. felt as if | must
strike him then and there, but q
haunting dread withheld me. What
had happened to make this proud mar
speak thus openly of bis rejected love
and offer me his friendship?
You asked HE news of her JUS
now; you meant how did she bear The
tidings Of your death 2
| bowed my head, too absorbingly
. interested to interrupt him.
AZ first he said, she would no
credit it, but no letters came from
| you, and she gave way. Then | be
lieve her grief was terrible; but NJ
, one knew, for she hid herself up alone
even her mother was not admitted.
. He paused Tor a moment or two. {
/, only guessed what she was sutferin!
+ by her pale, sad face, but | believe t,
. the last Mrs. Paget saw little Of he
daughter
, To the last?' The words wen
through me like a knife blade.
; To the last! What do you mean
; | stammereG: tell me at once
D Have patience; l am telling yo
ALL he said; and | felt compelled t
f listen IN silence.
= L went to see your wife, and to m
J. surprise she received me. You nee
4 not look fierce, Capt. OSwold. | 500
+ found out why Lucy consented to &C
p NIT me. She wanted searching il
quiry made about you; an inquir
that could not fail to reach your ear
:. if you were still alive. | undertoo
. it willingly, and at last succeeded i
convincing her that all hope was over
He paused here and drew a dee
= breath; just as one does at the fot
7 7 Of steep hill.
, why don't you go on 2 | said
'All this suspense is needless; te
r., me the worst | have to hear
=" He GNnd his oror On mo rr;th q or