The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-18

: after certain age. 1t is cruel injustic,
to their natural heirs"
And again the scaldng moisture rain
r ed down Netta's cheeks, and her lip
were parched with the feverish scorn anc
} impatience which burned in her uugovern
. ed heart
2 II mattered little whether Mary,
cooking was on a par with her usual
D productions, for her mistress was at once
too indignant and too agitated to be at all
aware whether the meat was burnt to a
cinder, or raw as when sent from the
; butcher. And the plates were sent back
, to the kitchen with very little necessity
for scullery attentions on the part Of the
domestic.
The hours wore heavily away. Meta
tempted to occupy them by divers occu-
, pations more congenial to her taste than
household cares. She sang with voice
that soon broke down in tears she play
ed with fingers that shook with the tumult
of her nerves; she took up some muslin
work, and tore it to peces in a dozen
strips, and finally threw herself on the
couch, and sobbed herself to sleep in q
tempest of feelings that had but little soft
ness in their grief.
She was awakened by strange sound
of heavy, irregular steps, and unwonted,
mufled blows, as of some ponderous body
swaying to and fro against the passage
walls. 1t came nearer and nearer Her
tongue clave to her mouth in terror, as
she started up on her pillow. A hand
was laid hesitatingly on the handle of the
door. 1t opened with difficulty, and
Darcy, flushed, helpless, with infamed
eyes and opened mouth, staggard intn the
room.
Meta gave one look of unutterable
disgust. 1t needed no experience to tell
her that for the first time in her remem-
brance her husband had returned to her,
unconscious and inebriated with excess.
Alas alas the lesson did not even
then work its natural results.
1t was late on tbs following morning
when Darcy awoke and then his facul-
ties were so bewildered and couded that
for some minutes he scarcely comprehend
ed where he was, or the crisis of his fate
that was at hand.
But as he sat up in bed, and rubbed
his eyes, and glanced round him at the
still darkened chamber, the idea flashed
on his still heated brain; and springing
from his bed, he snatched the bell-rope
and gave it a vigorous pull.
"Tell your mistress to come to me in
stantly " he exclaimed ,hurriedly. Quick,
girl-quick J"
1t was certainly only few minutes
ere Meta appeared but they seemed an
age to the unhappy Darcy. And when
she entered the bedroom, his words were
well nigh inarticulate with agitation.
Meta, l am late-very late. Where
is my shirt? l have not moment. There
-quick-my collar ="
He had seized the linen she slowly ex-
tended to him, and drew it hastily on
Then came the collar, which h" s""o
him in dooqed silence.
"Confound it, the buttons off !" and
an ann nlm1precation which Netta's refined ears
hear? Give me another ~ he said. sharp
ly.
"There is no other clean. If you can
behave rather more gentlemanly, | will
sew it on" she said, calmly, leaving the
room, and returning with a deliberation
that acted like flaming fire on the phos-
phoric spirit of the unfortunate victim.
The needle was too small for the cot
ton, and took some time to thread, and
then the button had to be sought for and,
by the unerring dial of the clock, at least
ten minutes were occupied in the simple
operation, ere the toilet could be resumed,
and in due time completed.
"Netta, l believe you have ruined me,
and yourself" he said hoarsely, as he
rushed down the stairs and left the house,
unrefreshed by the morning meal, and, in
spite of the wife's pride, and the fostered
selfshness of her nature, the words rang
in her ears like funeral knell during the
long hours of that weary morning, which
seemed as if it could not end.
Thus hour after hour went wearily by.
Meta passed them in alternate fits Of
apathetic depression and restless pacing
to and fro; while the worthy though i'll
directed domestic INDUCED in sundr,
comments, more sensible than polite, as to
her mistress's strange demeanor.
Meta scarcely knew whether delay in
her husbands return was favorable OF the
reverse but either an accusing conscience
or the natural instinct Of an untried ma
ture overpowcred hope till it sank into
despair.
At length-oh what weary interval
it seemed-the key was heard in the lock,
the door opened, and heavy steps were
heard ascending the stairs. Netta's limbs
refused their Office ; she tried to rise, but
could not, and when Darcy entered, her
mute glance alone questioned him as to
the tidings he brought. There scarcely
needed words to tell the tale.
"Netta, you have ruined me | was
too late; another and equally eligible
man was before me and accepted"
Her voice trembled as she faltered
"Perhaps-perhaps it would have been
no use."
"Do not aatter yourself, Mrs. St. Ives
there is no such loophole Had been
the first, the appointment was sure. Your
intolerable procrastination has been my
bane Now you can indulge it at pleas
ure. There is little more harm to be done
now. | am quite resigned to my fate
prison or n grave
"Darcy-Darcy, have mercy Do not
speak so harshly | know-l know !