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

and will he love her well enough to keer
her pure ~
Mrs. Maynard tried to take her mind
away from the cruel past, which had
wrecked her life ; and told her in loving
tones of Him who died for sinners Of
His wonderous compassion for the sinful
woman who came to Him when he was
upon earth.
The eyes of the dying girl seemed to
watch her anxiously, but she was pros.
trated by the continued efforts she had
made to finish her poor story. Clara
came in, and they administered cordial
out she could only swallow little. Her
mind wandered, and she talked of her
childhood and mother. Then she slept
for few moments, but reused suddenly,
and placing her hand in her bosom, drew
out tiny locket, suspended by cord
around her neck. 81 must have one
more look-just one" She tried to open
it, but her numbed fingers refused to
serve her. Mrs. Maynard opened it for
her and from necessity saw the face en-.
closed. Whoever it was, it seemed to
have some strange spell for her, for she
dropped it and sank upon her knees, bury
ing her face in the bed.
Clara held up the locket the poor
lips tried to kiss it, then she motioned
for it to be replaced, aud in a Whisper
said
pray; quick !"
Clara waited, but no sound came ther
she touched Mrs. Maynard's shoulder, land
asked:
"Will you pray? l think she's going
Never will more touching prayer as
cend from this earth of ours than went W
in that miserable room from that stricken
heart, which had to hold back her owl
misery, while she commended to the In.
finite Father the dying child to whom life
had seemed curse.
And while she yet prayed the curtain
Of the room that held her soul was lifted
and it fluttered out into space. Farewell
troubled spirit. 1t is not for us to Judge
thee. He who is without sin may con
demn thee, not |.
We can 60 no further with her, anc
our story deals now with the living.
Mrs. Maynard closed the eyes which
once had been so beautiful with her owl
handkerchief wiped the death dew from
the brow which death had seemed to max,
so pure folded the hands over tina
cherished picture, then hesitated mo
ment, and with look, such as we some
times see in rare picture of some saint,
face, she bent and pressed a long kiss up
on the dead girls cheek.
Clara had been fearless through it all
but when she saw that last crowning ac
she burst into tears.
"Good God if it was possible | woul,
be better woman from this day."
Others came in, and the words ant
prayers which were uttered may yiel,
their fruits in the great harvest time o
eternity
The Christian woman went home lik
one bowed by years several times sh
would have failed if she had not stoppc
and rested against something, until sh
could steady herself to pass on again.
comforting others she had gained stab t
her own heart. As she entered her doc
she was met by her beautiful daughter
who exclaimed. "Why mother, l saw yo
coming and was frightened, you walke
so strangely"
The mother was helped to her roou
and loving hands removed her bonnet
then as though her pent-up agony woul
kill her unless she gave it vent, she clasp
ed her daghter to her heart and swayin
to and fro she cried out in heart-broke
accents, "Oh, my child, my darling,
will kill you but you must know it. 7
think that It's your mother who mu:
wound you so cruelty. God help u
both !"
And then in hurried words the sad sto
ry was told. Alice shivered in every lin
and wept; but evidently could not CON
prchend why they should be 50 much e
tected by it. At last the mother exclain
ed: "Oh Alice, cant you guess who
was? Must | tell you even that ?" TIL
girl asked wonderingly "Was it an
one we know, mother? | hope not, 'twa
so wicked" Mrs. Maynard droppe
down upon the floor and pulled Alice wit
her.
"lf it kills you, my child, It's better S
than to see you the wife of an adultere
and murderer. saw in that lockct tn
face Of Robert Ainsworth."
At first she doubted, loyal still to th
man she loved; but somehow Mrs. May
nard could not question. A terrible cor
viction had settled down upon her hear
There was no food taken there that day
and as night came. the two women locke
as though they had watched for days b'
side the dying and the dead
The servant announced, "Mr. Robel
to see Miss Alice"
Mrs Maynard said ''You have n
father or brother, and it is not fitting fc
you to move in this matter. | shall 9
down to him, and may God give me Wi
dom and strength"
I'll ne can prove himself innocent, m(
ther, you will believe him. Oh, he seen
so strong and good"
The mother went out, and slowly d,
scended to the parlor. The man she ha
gone to meet looked up expecting to gree
his fair betrothed. lie stared at the fac
that looked upon him.
Mrs. Maynard, are you i'll, or
Alice ?"
She refused his profered hand, sun
quickly into chair and said, as thong
she did not dare trust hcrselfto wait;
"Mr. Ainsworth,l have strange que
ton to ask Of you. BE seated and Civ
me your attention. II Alice had dor
something dreadful in tho past, and WI
consequently less pure than you though
her, would you desire to marry her ?"
She paused and looked full at him. II
had arisen, aud for moment was unab