Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-01
VOL. 7O.-3594. NO. 46.

horse, who despite all our efforts, stalks
grimlS amongst ms, laying his relentes hand
on our hearts idols, and, needless Of our cries,
our tears, our prayers, snatches them from
our despairing grasp.
That terrible reaper whose name is Death,
was coming very near TO ms. Reggy was
sinking, sinking slowly and silently, but
surely. There was very little hope .now--
only grave shake Of the head from the doc
tor in answer to our agonized questions, and
the doubtful reply " We must not despair
while there is life there is hope, and he is in
Heavens hands"
lie had few intervals Of consciousness, and
in the long hours when he Law delrious,
llelen's name was constantly ON his lips he
called her in wild entreaty to come to him,
if only for a moment, Just to lay her cool
hand on his brow that was burning so at
another time he reproachcd her for deceiving
him. and then told her how fondy he loved
her always ending with the heart thrilling
cry, Helen, Helen, why won't you come to
me 2"
And now knew that'my work had failed
that the love that hoped to stamp out with
my cruel words was burning as fercely as
ever; that, even if he never saw her face
/ again, her memory was more TO him than
all the world beside. The burden Of guilt
/ weighing so heavily on my soul seemed al
most more than ! could bear but felt that
my miserable Jealousy was being justly
/ punished
Who is Helen p asked the doctor. one
day. " ! think, if possible, she had better
| be sent for; there is a chance that he might
be quieter If she were brought to him"
know where she Is" said, eagerly
81 will bring her"
THAT is right" he said, looking pleased
and don't lose time"
All, mol would lose no time. A fiery
energy seemed 10 have taken possession OF
me. There was chance that might make
amends for the evil ! had done; that the
awful fear that was haunting me- Of his
dying before | could confess to him how ]
had wronged him, might be removed. If
heaven would only grant Inc time For
the first time for many weary days wild
prayer went up from my heart that our dar-
ling might be spared for yet q short space.
II was night when this conversation took
place, and the telegraph office in the nearest
town-six miles away-would not be opened
till morning. ] knew llelen's address in
London, and was determined that no one
should send the message but myself. was
so wildly impatient that could not sit quiet.
Would the night never end ? Would the
message be in time ? And then suddenly
thought would Helen be- at the address ]
had not heard of her return from abroad
1t seemed as if | could not live through the
terrible suspense.
had been in Reggy's room early in the
evening, and my heart had stood still when
noted the ravages suffering and weakness
had made in his appearance. The drawn,
white face, made whittier by the heavy dark
curls that clustered round it; those curls
had so often passed my fingers through and
admired so much the closed, sunken eyes
and painfully drawn breath, all seemed to tell
me should be too late. | could not bear
the sight, and hurried out of the room, only
stopping now and then to strain my eyes for
the first signs of dawn.
At last, after what seemed lifetime to
me, few streaks Of light began to appear,
making the dreary winter landscape visible.
| rushed up stairs and put on my habit, and
then hurried down to the stables.
No one was astir outside yet, but that
made no difference to me. had often sad.
died Prince myself, and, though not for
long time still knew ! had not forgotten
how
Opening the door softly, passed into his
stall. The poor animal knew my voice, and
neighed with delight at seeing me again, but
| had no time to caress him. The getting
of the saddle out Of the harness room and
fastening the girths took but short time,
and IN few minutes all was ready. Then
| fingered a few moments while | went into
the box where Reggys horse was. The an
iinal seemed to know something was wrong,
and turned his large, soft eyes with mutely
potiput look that wont n m lpnrt
Dear old Lancelot--dear old fellow I"
| said, leaning my head against his glossy
neck, and letting the choking sobs burst
forth. " You don't know that he is dying
that he will never mount you again. You
will never have so kind a master Oh what
shall we ali do without him "
lie rubbed his head gently against my
shoulder but felt that my grief was con
Queriug me, and that if | gave way to it |
should be unfit for anything; so, with a part
ing hug, | left him, and mounting Prince, |
was soon on my way along the very road |
whore the accident to Helen had happened |
But dared not think of that now.
Through the chill morning air, which, how
ever, felt revived and braced me, we sped
hectly on, aud at last reached the town. | was
at the office before it was open. and waited |
full half hour without seeing any one. At
last a sleepy official made his appearance,
and to him gave the message;
"Reggy Is dying. Come at once"
could think OF no other words, but !
knew they would bring her at once made
inquiries about the trains. 1t was a long
Journey from London, and she could not ar
rive before six O'Clock that evening, so there
was another long day of watching to be lived
through.
NVts. I raoola1 homo ! ba,, t,lI ,,,.. u o,r,,,.
was alive still, hut very weak The doc.
tor hardly thought he could last through
the day.
"O6. heaven, give US time--only few
hours I"
The day dragged on, ! don't know how.
The chill daylight faded and disappeared, and
darkness again shrouded the scene. The car
riagc had been dispatched TO the station, and
mamma, Laura and Carrie-the two latter
having arrived that day-were in Reggy's
room. lie had fallen into kind Of stupor
and was very quiet II would last only a lit |
tie longer now, the doctor said.
had shut myself into an empty room
aud stood at a window that overlooked the
avenue watching for the approach of the
carriage At last the welcome sound of
wheels fell ON my ear, and saw the lamps
CLEAN through the trees, and heard the We
hicl np at the door. | was there to open
it, am the next moment was clasped in
Ilelen's arms.
For few minutes the blessed relief of
her presence made me forget everything
else but then there came back 10 me what
had determined to say, and moving out of
her encircling arms, said as steadily as |
could
Helen, he loved you all the time. 1t was
my fault that he did not tell you So"
Such glory of happiness shone in her
face as spoke.
Thank heaven for its goodness ! |
heard her Whisper aud then, coming TO me,
she threw her arms around me again. "fhis
is no time for explanations, dear. You can
not imagine how happy you have made me,
May go 10 him now 2"
silently took her hand, and together we
assembled the stairs and went along the
broad corridor, At the door Of the room
stopped.
Helen" whispered, "he is greatly
changed-you viii not know him"
Not know .Reggyl" she said s"ftly |
with almost smile on her face :" I don't |
think that time will ever come"