The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-10

with an air of exalted virtue.
Mrs. Varley was lady Of the strictes
propriety. and severest morals, Much a
she pitied the poor and friendless girl, ,sh
must be promptly freed from this foul an,
dreadful charge, or cross her threshold
never to return.
She went directly to Hester's chamber
"You must tell me your past history
child" said Mrs. Varley in determined
hut not unkind tone.
10, madam, | pray you pardon me
but | cannot tell it."
Then it has been one of shame an,
guilt 2"
"For time Of shame, madam ON
swered the young girl, with aushe,
check, "but not of guilt"
What was it that caused Mrs. Varle,
to start SO suddenly, and stagger, hal
fainting, TO scat at Hesters dressing
table 2
"Who-whose likeness is that ?" sh,
exclaimed, in a scarcely articulate voice
pointing to an open miniature on the ia
bic.
"NIy mother's," Hester answered.
Then you are Florence Marvin
child ~
"That was indeed my mothers name.
"More-you are the daughter Of my
only brother George Haywood, for Flor
ence Marvin was his wife"
With stiAed cry, she who had be-
lieved herself alone and friendess in thu
world fell on her kinswoman's neck, anG
wept tears of mingled gladness and sor
row.
Her story, which Hester had refused tt
confde to strangers ears, she now vii
lingly impaired to one from whom she fel,
she had no louger right to withhold it
That her brother had married in oppo
sition to her fathers wishes, and had
been disiuherited in consequence, was al
ready known to Abigail Varley, but what
distant spot he had selected for his home
and what had befalleu him there she had
never learned
The story was sad enough.
After few toisomo but not unhap.
py years-ior they were spent in the
loved society of his wife and child-a
dire calamity had fallen upon George
Hcywooh He came under suspicion oil
fearful crime A network Of crcum.
stances too intricate for mans wit to dis.
eptaDge environed him, and he was con
demued to die. The stern judgment was
carried into effect, and the executed mur-
derer's widow sought concealment for her.
self and child III change of places and
name. Long, long years afterwards the
truth was discovered; but the judicial
murder had passed among the things ir-
revocable. The poor widow died at last
broken hearted, but with one consola.
tion--she bad lived to see her husband 8
innocence vindcated.
"Aud this, my poor child, is the shame
Of which you spoke ?"
MY life has known no other"
Not many days after, Hester was sent
TO one of the first seminaries in the land,
for she had yet time enough to avail her.
self of opportunities of culture hitherto
beyond her reach. Her aunt and she
kept their own counsels Cousin Roger
and Dick only knew that the object Of
their solicitude had disappeared, and
probably congratulated themselves on the
success Of their virtuous stratagem.
After q time, Mr., Parker, cousin ABB
igail's lawyer, was sent for, and after that
the good old woman seemed wonderfully
revived in spirits. At her next birthday,
the prospect of "many happy returns
produced anything but happy effect
upon the two expectant cousins, who be.
gan to think that. after all, the life tables
might be fallibe. But her time came
at last, and within q decent period after
the sad event, cousins Roger and Dick
we're duly summoned to attend the read.
ing of Abigail Varley's will.
They we're good deal startled at the
sight Of their old enemy, the strange
girl.
Poor Tabby, as If seeking consolation
in her bereavement. leaped upon the knee
Of her old friend Dick, who stroked her
back pathetically. but little nervously
Pompey, who took things more phiosoph
ically. stretched himself out for snooze
at the feet of Roger.
Mr. Parker, drawing from his pocket
the document, proceeded to read it, The
introduction was long and formal Ba,
bark there's something coming now:
ITO my cousin, Richard Figgips-"
Richard looked at Roger in triumph.
II give and bequeath-"
You could have heard both their heart:
beat.
In consideration Of the natural love ant
affection which | have observed between
them"
Dick looked puzzled.
MY favorite cat, Tabby,"
Dick gave Tabby furious stroke th,
wrong way.
"And no more OF my estate"
With fling that betokened mos
emphatic renuncation Of the legacy
Tabby was sent mewing and splitting Il
the further end Of the room.
ITO my cousin Roger Smith"
1t was Rogers turn to triumph.
"Iu consideration of the like natura
love and Affection"
Roger began to feel suspicious.
81 give and bequeath my dog Pompe
and no more Of my estate"
With violent kick, Pompey was sen
spinning after the cat and the fear @
her who had SO long kept the peace be
tween them being no longer before thei
eyes, the pent.up enmity Of years foun
vent iu an uproarious fight in the nois
Of which the voice of the old lawyer wa
almost drowned but the words, "res
and residue of my estate-niece Heste
Haywood" we're sufficiently audible, an
cousins Dick and Roger stayed to hea
no more.
Avoid Marble Top Tables.