Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-11

Elliott's request | remained to tea.
Her husband came in at the usual hour
| do not wonder she half idolized the hand
some dark.eyed man, with his free anC
easy Western bearing refined by Eastern
culture (for be had completed his studies
at the East. He certainly petted her tC
her hearts content But tonight be seemed
little preoccupied and excited After the
meal was over he Immediately excused
himself
Must you 60 out again this evening
Vinton ? asked his wife ploadingly.
Indeed | must, Nellie It's court week
you know. There are many lawyers in
town, and | have much on hand"
heard her kiss him afiectionately at
the door as he departed and thought it must
be a stress Of business, indeed, that would
take a man from such a wife but surely
that kiss would be protection against every
evil spell
sat with her till ten O'Clock. We only
spoke at intervals, for we had attained that
true companionship that does not require
constant talking. | saw a dreamy, far.
away look come into the young wife's eyes
She was building bright castles in the fu-
ture, when her prospects of maternity would
be realized in the supreme JOY Of mother
love, and her home 30 complete
did not offer to stay later than ten
for by so doing might botray somewhat
Of the anxiety and boding Of i'll that op-
pressed me. | do not often have such feel.
ngs, but am always in terror when do
for trouble has soon followed My sitting.
room was opposite her parlor, where 1 knew
she would watch and wait. After lighting
the gas | did not draw the curtains, but
sat down with my knitting where she could
see me, and so practically watched and
waited with her.
When from a city steeple eleven was
tolled out, my neighbor grew restless
When with solemn, measured stroke mid
night was announced, heard her side dooi
open and her quick steps on the gravel.
met her at the door.
Dear Mrs. NJ" she exclaimed
breathessly, " how good of you to be up
half believe you have been watching with
me. Vinton has not come home yet. What
does it mean2 lie never stayed out SC
late before"
She was shivering as with cold, but il
was the chill of fear. | put my arm;
around her and said
Let us hope for the best, my dear. Il
you wish, will come and stay with you. 4"
Please, do, she half sobbed, and ther
FASTENED back, as if unwilling to be absent
from her post moment | was soon al
her side, and with her hand (which trem
bled and futtercd like a frightened bird il
mine, we sat silently through another long
hour.
Like a kuell, one sounded from the
steeple. Her hand closed convulsively upor
mine, and with an ashen face she turned
and gasped
"Oh, if anything should happen-If
shouldn't see his face again"
Don't fear that, said hastily. I'm
sure you need not. If he had been injured
or sick, you would have been sent for long
before this"
"Wbat, then, can keep him2" she ask ed
WIN u Nllut lutSAiOuAhE lOphs
WE'LL" answered evasivey, looking
away from her, when lawyers get together
they have a good deal to say, and time
passes more quickly than they think. They
may have had little supper or something
of the kind
She shook her head deoisively.
Nothing of that kind would keep Vim
ton from me, especially now,' she sale
with emphasis.
Another hour passed, and she sprang W
with such a frightened, hunted look as
hope never to see in her sweet blue eye,
again.
Come" she said hoarsely, we mus
find him. shall go mad if l wait here il
uncertainty"
But where shall we go?" l asked il
dismay.
Anywhere !" she cried desperately
Action must take the place of this awfu
suspense"
saw she would 60, and prepared to fol
low but before we could assume somc
hasty wraps, the door-bell rang. She few
to open it.
Her husband stumbled 10, and would
have fallen had she not caught him. Il
was pitiable sight to see him leaning upor
and clinging to her frail and trembling form
as if she were a lamp-post AS the light
streamed through the door, caught q
glimpse Of the glitter of a policeman's star
and then heard his gruf voice
Glad you're up, madam. He need
looking after sure enough. If it hadn'
been for me, he might have met fou
death, for | found him in the gutter this raw
night
True enough, be was reeking with the
filth of the street, and besmearing the deli
cate fabric of his wifes dress as he clunl
to her; but that wife would soon be il
an agony over deeper, more loathsome stains
"It's d--n lie !" hiccoughed her hus
band, in tones so different from his usua
clear, manly voice. 81 was in feather
bed"
90 God what's the matter with him p
gasped the wife.
"Well, maam, you are innocent" sale
the policeman in not unkindly tone. "I'n
sorry for you but do you really mean t.
say that you don't know he's drunk III
stay a bit and help you with him if you wish.
At the word "drunk - she tottered
moment as if she would fall, then by
great effort recovering herself, said hoarsely
"No, no go away; | will take care o.
him. Stay; let me thank you for bringin,
him home, but in the name of mercy don
tell any one what you have seem"
The man made no promise as he departed
and shut the door.
"Mrs. NJ, am even sorry yol
are here. would hide this from all tn,
world. Would that | could hide it from
heaven But | know | can trust you
What shall do with him ?"
This horrid, unexpected scene at tn,
door had found US too bewildered to act
and for moment longer we looked help
lessly at each other
Then her husband muttered, What
the use standing here?" and he staggereC
into the parlor.
Near the door stood dainty little tabl,
with Mrs. Elliotts bridal wreath and bou
quet upon it, encased in glass cover. III
stumbled against this and fell with il crash
ing to the floor. The warmth Of the room
with the excess of liquor that he had dranl
now produced nausea, and, sickening t,
behold, the flowers that had crowned hi
brides brow were now fouled literally