Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-02-02

That's odd; few American ladies go to that
wild region for pastime. When were you
there?''
Only three months ago. ! was in -,
aud stopped at the Montrose House. Her
voice fell at was my chance to make
few acquaintances there
Four pairs ofeyes were at that moment
concentrated upon the Generals face-a face
that just then could not be controlled a
glance Of horror, and yet an appeal fo- Sc
crecy, flashed into the widow resolute face.
His color came and went; he could have shot
himself for trembling from head to foot
Luckily an old friend touched him on the
shoulder, and he turned away; but his face
was as gray as ashes.
"Iow could you, Clo. ?" were tho first
words spoken by Virginia
Mrs. Marshall drew long breath.
Il, was my fate, suppose, she said quiet
ly; "oh, that poor child ="
Did you notice she changed color?'
queried Jenny.
why, what Is it?" the voice of the un-
suspectinc brunette chimed in. w hat made
You all 50 queer? I'm sure the General
looked frightened half to death, and as TO
his little wife, Pittied her without knowing
why. There's nothing wrong, | hope. Do
You know | Travelled in company with them
for miles ?"
al hope there's nothing wrong, said Mrs.
Marshall, quietly, and soon the trio separated.
Three rapid knocks at the door Of Mrs.
Marshall's private parlor That lady reclined
/ in an easy chair ,habited in the most recherche
Of morning wrappers, reading paper, as the
/ black servant entered at her low Come in"
/ he bore a small note on a silver salyer and
left the room as soon as the widow had pos
sessed herself Of the pink m0rscl.
(Which goose, now, | wonder?' she
/ smilingly murmured. delicious perfume,
| good taste, whoever he is" She sprang to q
/ sitting posture.
"Why,l declare, its that poor little soul ="
/ Then read aloud
please ems to my room. 40. 7d im1eiiltsly.
] have slmetliae of importance 10 communicate.
LILLY CuATFIELD.'
"How tremulous that signature Poor
[ little soul poor little ssul 90
/ There were tears IN her fine eyes, as she
/ slowly rose to her feet, and quickly pat her
/ hair in order, drew a silver cord about her
waist, and clasped on a pair of bracelets
so as not she mentally said. to lock like
fright.
Arrived at the room, her heart failed her
little. hat was 1t the child wanted2 W hat
would she demand? Her light knock was
answered by Lilly in person. Lilly she was
for whiteness and purity; robed IN a gosa-
mcr muslin, sprinkled with costly lace, and
rich with rdliles. Her face was like marble,
the only spots of color in it were her eyes,
heavenly blue; but'even they looked dis
tended and troubled. She was in an agony
of doubt and fear; any one could see that.
My child, are you Ill? p asked the widow.
quickly.
"Nou arc an old acquaintance Of my-lny
the General, said the little creature, talk
ing rapidly, as if she feared her strength
would fail her. one pretty, slender hand
touching the widow arm. tel. me the
truth, as you would If You were dying
she glsped a little-'has be wife living ?'
My dear child, cannot say, / cannot
I tell. You must n0t.-
Il must = will You shall tel me. It
would be cJwardly to leave me 10 doubt,
wicked as murder. she cried h1arsely-
,.See here. [ have lstter-perhaVs should
rot tell YOU, but who have l % g To?
never opened bis letters before, hut YOU re-
member the other ni.ht-oh. how happy I
was before that ' Her fearless eyes and
quiyerins lips Mrs Marshall never forgot
This letter need give YOU no clue 20 It's
contents. save this it commences, Dear
General. and concludes, Your suffering and
neglected wife Oh. what am ? what am
il? Can have been So w0efllly deceived,
So terribly wr3uged? No viii not can
/ not believe it.
She sqrauE % her feet. throwing her arms
above her head in anguish, then, before the
g. i D
fell heavily O. the floor 10 q ceath-hkc
swoJH.
At that m0meu. the d0lr was swung open,
and General Chatfeld entered, long Flip OF
PAPER iu bis hand. lie flung the slip at Mrs
Marshall, as he sprang forward, and lifted
the bruised Lilly in his arms.
MY God ' he cried, "what have you told
herr" lie caught sigh, of the letter Nv hat
has she seen? Zoo late. too late For Gods
sake. don't say IN tJo late
Mrs. Marshall read the despatch mecdani-
cally. General Chatie.ds wife had been
dead twelve hours.
"rhis is too horrible p" she said, rising
"Oh, man. what a wreck you have made Of
your life and hers.
NO, no, she is still mine my Cd red, my
darling Leave us Mrs Marshall. Ny pun
F i0uluEAl l7 l4Nit l4I-l NH.tA t'attf il--f~
She is reyiying.'
What wild words, what prayers, what
promises were reiterated in tLGt Fad room,
none ever knew.
Mrs Marshall was a woman Of good sense,
and kept her own counsel for that broken
Iillg's sake There was rumor of some
kind about the hotel; everybody seemed 70
feel in an obscure way. that there was trlu-
. L. - Fho E.I. 4 al
events, has beautiful young wife was very i'll.
and gossip hourished.
Then Mrs Marshall, who was the only
lady admitted TO the sick room, circulated
the report that now the General 5 wife was
gaining strength, slowly, the physician had
recommended change of air, and she would,
therefore. return home for season TO her
native New England In the meantime, at
Lilly's request, Mr.. Chattield had written to
her father. and he had come.
Few noticed the tall whitc-haired clergy
man. who stopped at Wllards for a day;
none knew Of the awful interview that passed
between him and General Chatfeld; only
Mrs. Marshall saw the shadow of what had
come 10 Washington a few snort weeks ago
the white cold corpse-like face, beautiful
as ever, but, Oh, SO heart brosen-leaye IN
father.
They had reached the depot. The old
clergyman had left his wan child fer a few
moments, when some one came hurrying
through the cars, and stopped at the seat
where Lilly was.
Il can't leave ysu," whispered hoarse
voice. .'My God | can not. Lilly, beloved,
think again am free: YOU are my wife,
nl Es.a.b 2 mo f~f,
for Gods sake, or | shall destroy myself.
You love me, Lilly; word To your father
will settle al.'
..General Chatfeld you will be kind
enough to stand aside" and there was that
old man, looking little enough like clergy
man now. his eyes flashing fire, his face as
white as his beard.
With a muttercd curse the General did
step aside, only to see Lilly fall, half faint
ing, into her fathers arms.
t Wild eyed and motionless he stood in the
DEPOT. in which he had stood so triumphant;
f oniy-to him it seemed only but yesterday
and now
Mrs. Go Marshall was married within two
wears after that sad episode, and established
her own little pet ooterie IN Washington
society, in which General Cha.feld was never
seen.
Years after, when sweet Jenny Harold was
sweet Jenny Alstead, with children at her
knee. Clo read her letter. the closing sen
tence cf which ran as follows
''Ard so you will see me again, if heaven pleases
by dear husband knows all, and says he Is only TOO
thankful that was firm IN my persistence IN hat
rl4fter How many times have thought Of and
/ thanked YOU in my heart Tor your kiadness 10 me
through that dreadful time" eIc
..From dear little Lilly Chatfeld,' said
Jenny.
"No; never call her that She has married
a good and worthy man, this time, and an
VI. c. into the bargain. We must call on her
as soon as she comes, and ge. her IN our set