The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-10-06


his throat was perched with thirst, while
the glare Of the sun as it rose higher, well
nigh blinded him. In such agony as he
had never dreamed Of he lay as the weary
hours dragged by, aud the day journcyed
toward its end.
Would help ever come he wondered,
straining his ears to catch the slightest
sound
The place was a lonely and deserted
one-seldom visited except by some wan.
dering artist in search of the picturesque,
and there was no one to miss or grow
anxious at his absence Helen would
take for granted that he had returned to
the city, and SO he would be left to per.
ish slowly of thirst and starvation.
And while he was thus dying she would
be laughing away the joyous moments
with Mr.. Hastings by her side. His fam
cy pictured the pair together, and he
ground his teeth in impotent fury and de-
spair,
Then as the day declined. and darkness
stealing through the valley, wrapped it.
self about him, hslf.deusivc fancics came
to make him forgo;ful Of pain Helen
was beside him-he cauld hear her soft
tones, feel the clasp Of her hand she did
not love Mr. Hastings, but himself, and
she had sought him out to tell him so. AS
the vision vanished he lost consciousness
for the first time in his life.
The view does not strike me az "A par
ticularly fine one. my dear said Mr..
Hastings, balancing himself on the railing
of the bridge, and surveying the scenery
with a glance Of calm disapproval.
1T is not even pretty Helen replied /;
butt wanted to come She was look
ing very intently at the railroad track
a pleasant object for contemplation as
any lover Of beauty will admit.
Suppose then, that we 90 home mild.
y suggested Mr.. Hastings offering her
his arm.
Wait momcut-thc train is coming,
answered she, as the shrek Of the locomo.
tive was heard The train camc--slack-
ed almost to an absolute stoppage-Iiel-
ems eyes watched it the while very ca
gerly-but no Tom took advantage of the
delay to spring upon the platform. Had
he changed his mind and returned to the
farmhouse? 1t was not likely; in his
present state OF feeling he would not
court a meeting with Mr.. Hastings. Hell
en- felt she knew not why-a vague con-
scousness Of anxiety.
Ralph turning suddenly toward her
lover, Il want to 90 up into the valley
it will not be dark for more than two
hours yet; will you go?
wait till Tomorrow he answered,
mindful OF his tight boots and in no mood
for rock. k.climbing. You are pale, Helen,
yes, and actually shivering too This air
is fcycr.and-agueish, wrapping her shawl
more closely about ner as he spoke
Come let us &c; home as soon as possible
i will not mean | can not = Hell.
en- replied, ,exctedly. You must 90 with
me Ralph; [ am afraid something has
to T-Mr Ford
WHO is Mr.. Ford " asked he with a
look which was by no means loycr-like.
He is a gentleman who has hccn hoafd
ing at Mrs Kidder's this summer, re.
piled Helen, the color rushing over her
face in spite OF her efforts to appear in.
different. He was TO return to the city
this afternoon, taking the train here, and
he has failed to do so, and
Can not a man change hi, mind if he
sees fl ? Mr.. Hastings Interrupted, half.
jestingly, haf.angrily. Don't be so fool
ish, my darling he went on; it is not
very complimentary to NE your fret,ing
about this fellow the first evening Of onr
meeting We will 90 back to the house
now, and if he is not at the house, some.
body shall be sent in search Of bin, |
promise you
1T may be too late then said Helen.
You must come with me, Ralph taking
his hand
Il will do nothing OF the kind = an.
swered the irate lover and if you. 60 it
will be in disobediencc to my express
commands Mr.. Hastings looked really
imposing in bis wrath
when was ever known to obey you
or any one else o. rctortcd Helen. with
flashing eyes. Il wculd so now ii'--try.
ing to say something tragic, hut failing
if | were certain that | should lose my
way and be compelled to stay out all
night in the cold And shaking off his
OBTAINING grasp, she was gone in mo.
ment.
Il suppose that every woman must be
either a simpleton or vixen, philoSophi-
caily observed Mr.. Hastings, as he wend.
ed his solitary way homeward but such
an exhibition OF temper aud sillfulncSs
on llelcn's part was really very unplcas.
ant
The walk was a long one. and night
was fast falling when Helen reached the
en'rsncc of the valley. Size aud Tom
had explored it together ircqu,ulIA: but
now, in the shadowy twilight it locked so
wild aud iorhidiing, that She hrank back
nvoluutarily. Would it ROT be worse
than folly TO nix her Ilfe a.nong its rocks
aud chasms, because ut "a mere nervous
fancy As she ,iond irresolute-- feeling
her courage fast ebbing. a faint cry
seemed to fall upon her ear. She list.
ened cagory Did some one call Helen,
or was it only her imagination 1t was
like Toms voice she said to herself, with
n shiver, only so faint and uneartbly.
Her iimidity had all vanished now, and
1 l. 4 81