The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-11-11
Il am Twenty-Five she said gravely.
Only six wears, then =

ages 1hat chlld Is just beginning Ilit
and II
Aud you-9' | repeated, as she paused
lost in thought apparently,
Il must be going to my scholars sht
rejoined, with quick look, haIf.supiciou,
hali.mischievous, at me, as she started
up.
'Tiresome little animals, as Mr.. Thornt
rightly called them said rising too
AS we entered the hall, the street door
was just closing on Webster.
Will that be match, do you think {?
| asked, the sight of him reminding mt
of the subject.
Good heavens !! exclaimed Mis-.
Knowles, stopping short and gazing anx
iously in my face 'Rosa-Miss Morrel
and Mr.. Webster do you meal Do you
see any real reason for asking such Q
question p
Only human nature in general, and
if you will excuse my saying so of your
little friend-Miss Morrells nature il
particular. l don't think if | were il
Webstcr's place, l should despair
Rosa is thoughtlcss, but cannot be
lieve-' She did not finish her sentence
but with knit brows walked of, declining
as she invariably did my 'companionshF
on the way.
That same evening, as | was smoking
at my window, l heard Miss Knowles
voice from the next room, Miss Morrell's
She had apparently just approached the
window, which must have been open, fol
heard every word distinctly.
No, Rosa, l certainly do not like him
dstrust his face, It is cruel and coward
ly. IF the choice were really between
the two, should say thousand time:
sooner Mr.. Deblay than Mr.. Webster, ,fol
at least
But when it came to names, though
it time to make some sign of existence.
gave a slight cough the window was in
stantly closed, and heard no more.
1t appeared that l had not been tn,
only unlimited listener to this fragmentary
scene. The next minute Webster camt
out Of the farlherest corner Of the balcony
where he had been sitting, too deep it
shadow to be perceived until he moved
His face, as it came into the light, wore
an expression that certainly justified Mis-
Knowles opinion.
SO that's her little game " he mutter
ed. But if | don't manage to get the
odd trick of her, by? and with al
oath he brought down his hand O, the
railing as he disappeared.
hestated at first if ought not tG
put Miss Knowles on her guard, by 10.
forming her Of what had passed. But ]
felt ashamed to disquct her, no doubt
needlcssly, by repeating that vague sor,
Of bluster, and as for the next few days
Webster seemed quieter than usual, |
ended by myself forgetting his words,
But somewhat more than week later
his manner suddenly changed. 1t was
one morning that he had friend with
him, whom he had brought home the nigh,
before and kept to breakfast. This fel.
low, Mose!y think was his name, was
one of Webster's own sort, and the two
were in oppressively high spirits, Webster
III particular, making great number oil
small jokes, pointless, as it struck me, but
which appeared to afford him much salts
faction, and which he accompanied, as
faucicd, by sly glaDces at Miss Knowles
for which | should have been delighted to
fling the contents of my coffee cup in bis
face.
Toward the end Of the meal, Mosely
reminded Webster Of some letter which
the latter was to show him. Webster
took out bis pocket book, aud began turn.
ing over the papers inside.
This it, Gus {? said Mosely. taking
hold of the nearest, square white envel
ope directed in what looked so for as
could see across the table, very pecu
liar hand. But Webster drew it back
hastily,
No, no, that's private letter. he an
swered, and this time could not mistake
that he gave one of those odd looks across
at Mics Knowles, "a very peculiarly pri
vate letter, that wouldn't let out of my
hands for double X
We'll. you needn't be afraid of my
making a bid for it, replied Mosely 'rvt
use enough for my double KS without
buying up old paper. Now, then have
you found the right thing this time. OIL
shall | call again next Christmas
Webster, it appeared had found the
right thing, and the two witty gentleman
presently deprived US Of .heir company
Il don't remember ever to have seen
Mr., Webster in such an agreeable flow Of
spirits, said l to Miss Knowles, who with
myself, happened to be the last that left
at table. Il wonder what it betokeus /?
No good to somebody answered Miss
Knowles contemptuously, the first WORD
she had ever said to me against Webster
| was about to reply, when my foot touch
ed something under the table, and stoop
ing down | picked up a paper.
Mr.. Webster has dropped one of hi
letters-the peculiarly private one per
haps' | said laughing, and turning it over
recognized, in fact. the marked handwrit
ing. At the same moment Miss Knowle,
eyes fell on the superscription, and hel
face grew white to the very lips.
My God can it be- she gasped
Give it to me-the letter-the letter
impatiently, as l looked at her in bewil
derment. | gave it to her, she tore i
open, cast one glance at the signature
and then her hand as if palsied, let tn,
crushed paper fall and she sat staring
straight before her with look Of sucl
blank despair as 1 hope never to Sc,
again in any human face.
What is the writer Of that letter t,
your | cried, with pang of keen
though underlined jealousy.
He was--he is-my husband sh,
said, slowly, as if every word was
weight dragged from her. Then, with
sudden, feverish haste, You did not ex
pect to find me an imposter But re
member, | warned YOU All, you ar