Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-01

CHAPTER III.
II was winter again, dark and cold, will
a threatening of snow in the air. The day
light had long faded away and mamma and
were seated by the drawug-room fire.
1t was very quiet at home now Miss Ar
mitage had left in the summer as soon as
she had sufficiently recovered from her acci
dent TO travel. 4 cousin of hers in London
had asked her to her house for change, and
a few weeks after her departure she had
accepted an invitation to travel with some
friends on the Continent, and she would not
be able to come back TO Us.
knew well why she could not bear to re.
turn, to be hourly wounded by Reggy's un.
accountable codness.
1t had gone like knife to my heart to
note the change in her from the bright,
cheerful, happy girl to a sad-eyed, hollow
checked woman.
But yet never faltered in my determine
tion not to betray myself. | saw the breach
between them grow wider and wider each
day, aud knew, from the pride and reserve
of both their natures, that no explanation
would bc likely ever to take place And it
was my work Oh, how guilty and despic-
able felt But my fear of Reggy's scorn,
and above all, my unoonquerable jealousy,
kept me silent.
Laura and Carrie were at a boarding
school in France, and my time was greatly
taken up with mamma, who was very deli
cate that winter.
How very late Reggy isl she said,
breaking the silence, which had lasted for a
long time. " He ought to have been home
before this it is nearly seven o'clock"
"Perhaps he has gone to dine with Colo
mel Clewe; you know he was to be one Of
the shooting party" | observed, trying to
speak cheerfully, but with a vague feeling Of
uneasiness stealing into my heart, as ! re-
membered he had never been so late before.
Another half hour dragged slowly ON, and
then mamma spoke again:
Winnie dear, | am getting very uneasy ;
don't you think we had better send over to
Clewe House to see if he is there ?"
Perhaps So" | replied, speaking as
quietly as | could, so rs not to alarm her +;
but it was just what had been longing to
propose. Shall | tell Bennett to have a
horse saddled and send Thomas over 2"
DO, dear" she said lit will make me
feel easier TO know be is safe"
had risen to ring the bell, but my hand
was arrested by hearing the tramp Of feet
outside, and mems voices speaking in low,
hushcd tones--an ominors tramp, as of bear
ers carrying a heavy burden. | felt as if
turned TO stone-as if without power to
move or speak. | heard the steps come
-uearer-into the hall; / heard
mammals terrified cry. and saw her rush ont
to meet them and then. with great effort,
! followed. At the door, some one tried to
stop me-I think it WAS Bennett.
d" Go back, Miss Winnie it is better you
should not see him yet Oh, Miss, for the
love Of heaven don't take on so Think OF
your poor mamma
But !, never answered him; put him
aside and went on and there lying on n
couch, cold and still, with streaks Of blood
on his CHASTITY face, and his clothes dyed
with the deadly stream, saw my darling.
My head swam-a great rushing sounded in
my ears-and then all was dark, When |
opened my eyes found myself lying on my
own bed, with Ellis, mammals maid, sitting
beside me. The room was dimly lighted by
a carefully shaded lamp, and the fire burned
softly on the hearth.
"What is the matter, Ellis ?" | said,
feebly. "Why am | in bed, and why are
you here
Don't talk, Miss Winnie" she said
bending over me 1T is not good for you
lie uulct anu tIl 10 80 10 steep.
But, even as she spoke, the terribl' reality
of what had seen came throbhiug into my
brain even if had not remembered it, the
maids teai-stained face would have told me
something was wrong.
"Oh, he is dead, he is dead | cried,
wildly. lie will never speak 10 me again l''
| sprang up and tried 10 get out of bed,
but was restrained by Ellis.
~ Tp1aaJ Aftgo lNtv,f, b.. Z. ~ Ill
You must not excite yourself much At
first we all thought he was, poor young gen
tleman, but the doctor brought him round"
" Ellis yon are sure what you are telling
me is true p gasped, seizing her hand with
sudden relief and unutterable joy-the news
seemed too gratifying TO be believed.
" Indeed am, Miss" she said, earnestly /;
" | would not tell you what was not true
Aud then, when was more composed, she
told me in few words how the accident had
happened. The shooting party had contn-
ued their sport later than they had intended,
and when Reggy, having refused Colonel
Clewe's invitation 10 dinner, set out on his
way home, he took a short cut across some
fields, in one of which he was discovered, w.
ing in pool Of blood, and quito insensible,
by some lahorers who were crossing the field.
They supposed that, in jumping ditch, his
loaded gun had gone off, and the discharge
had lodged in his side. Procuring assist
ance they carried him home, and then went
off in different directions to bring all the
doctors within reach.
" For indeed" concluded Ellis, bursting
into fresh tears, there is not man amongst
them who would not lay down his life for
Mr.. Reggy."
She could not hide from me, however,
that there was great danger-that two doc
tors were TO remain with him all night, and
that they had telegraphed 10 London for
more advice. But while there was life there
was hope, and the knowledge that Reggy
lived, when ! had believed him dead, was
enough to fill my heart with joy and thank
fulness uuspeakable.