Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-15

own. And should this paper ever come into
the hands Of my son-in-law 1.-THE truth then
of course being known. l beg that he will
not curse my memory. DAVID SEvERNE."
1.-THE wicked old wretch !" l cried, as my
eyes rested on the concluding words.
"And so, Martha" said Miles in tone Of
stony calmness, ait was Charlotte, not you,
who used to purloin my valuables"
at was, Mr.. Stanley"
"Did she take lace handkerchief from
Madame de Vignard's room the other day ~
"Yes, Mr. Stanley, but took il back"
Miles rose and paced the floor with, un-
even steps.
III wish to heaven l was dead !" he pas
sonately exclaimed. "0h, into what hor-
rible snare have l not fallen Leave the
room, woman !" he cried, turning fiercely to
Martha. "You and your wicked master
have brought me to this. Oh, dupe, fool,
miserable victim that have been %
81 loved Miss Charlotte like my own child,
and | wanted to see her happy" muttered
the old woman in feeble remonstrance.
"Go and aid your mistress to pack up.
Tomorrow we return to Jex, never TO leave
it while she and live"
Mrs. Rage went to the bedroom door and
tapped, softly at first, then louder, but no
one answered. She then left the room
without making any further effort to gain ad-
mission. Meanwhile Miles had become
somewhat calmer. did not try to console
him-words are vain under some circumstan-
ces but did try to make him think more
kindly of his unhappy wife.
"Miles," said, remember, after ALL that
this dreadful failing is her curse, not her
fault. Try to be gentle with her. She is SO
young you may cure her of what, after all,
is really malady-a mental one it is true,
but still disease and not crime"
The hard drawn lines of Miles's face soft
oned as l spoke, Poor girl" he said with
a sigh "after all, her lot is worse than mine.
Thank you, Bessie, for your kind counsel,
and if in the dreary years to come stray
sunbeam should shance to brighten my lot, 1
will not forget your sympathy and your ad-
vice. | ,pW be kind to Charlotte, and 1
will do all that lies within my power to make
our lonely home as cheerful for her as posi-
ble."
"Go to her now. Think what weight of
misery and humiliation she has to endure,
and do not leave her to bear it alone"
"Come with me then. She will be cheer
ed and encouraged by your presence"
He went to the door and knocked There
was no reply. He tried it, but it was still
fast locked and bolted lie motioned to me
to speak.
"Charlotte!" l called; "Cousin Char
lotte !"
There was no answer. | put my ear to
the keyhole, but all was silence within the
bedroom. l could hear the ticking of Char
lotte's Geneva watch, which she had left on
the dressing table, and that was all. tried
next to look through the keyhole, but could
see nothing Finally l looked up at Miles.
"She will not answer" l whispered, "and
cannot see her"
charlotte !" he shouted Charlotte !"
Still no answer. Then with one determin-
ed blow he burst the frail door from its fast
enings and we entered.
think till l die l shall never forget the
aspect of that room-the trunks and carpet
bags, the dresses that hung on the chairs, the
glistening jet ornaments, the combs and pins
and ribons that were strewed over the dress
ing-tabe, the books and faded boquets that
Uttered the centre-table the pattern of the
paper, the colors and design of the carpet
Charlotte lay upon the bed with her face
turned to the wall. She still wore her walk.
ing-dress, but her dainty French bat with its
trailing black plume had been tossed upon
the floor, and near it lay her gloves and par
asol On the bed beside her saw glisten-
ing an odd trinket, gold vinaigrette, shaped
like an antique wine jar or amphora, and
suspended to a gold chain. There was a
faint scent of bitter almonds in the air
Miles went up to the bed and bent over
Charlotte. | remember nothing that followed
very distinctly There were screams and
cries and n great confusion, and a hurrying
to aud fro, for the doors had been gotten
open somehow aud then | seemed to wake
up out of 4 lethargy, and | saw person,
who supposed was doctor, standing be-
side the bed, aud | heard him say .'Prussic
acid; and then all my senses left me, and |
knew nothing more till woke up in my own
room, with Vaux hanging over me, pale as a
ghost, and Harry crying by my side.
The doctor said that Charlotte had taken
enough of the poison to kill ten men. Miles
found card, with few words pencied on it,
on the dressing-table. The writing ran as
follows:
There is poison in the locket my father
gave as a wedding gift. l took solemn
oath to him on his deathbed that | would
make use of it if over 1 brought disgrace up
on you. But do not think could have
found courage to take it if you had not threat
ened to take me back to Jex. Goodbye
Try to forgive me. would rather die than
, 60 back to Jex."
= l write this letter at the request of Miles
: though | am so exhausted by excitement and
agitation that | can scarcely hold my pen
The funeral takes place tomorrow. M. dc
: Breuaud and Madame de Vignard have left
| H. hn,,nn ~ a l.. Il IL "A Il - -