Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-03-26
peacefully than for mapv weeks.

coming up the carriage-way ms ofold, but he
came not. After waiting breakfast little,
she sat down to eat without him, but with
sorrowiul pressure at heart, like a forebod-
ing Of evil. Partaking of a slightrepast, she
listlessly entered the sitting-room, when
sealed letter lying on side table, and adj
dressed TO herself, arrested her attention.
Hastily she broke tho seal trembling with
apprehension as she noted the familiar hand |
writing of her husband. Opening il she
read -
THAT you may not be alarmed Mt my alb |
sence. write this to inform you that 1 am |
about to leave America. Ere this meets |
your eye shall be on my way 10 New York, |
whence | shall take passage for foreign
port. 1t Is best so there could be no faith or
concord between us any more, and we had
best put the ocean between us. l need not
say do not seek to discover my destination.
hwould be useless, but you doubtless will
not desire TODD so. have nothing TO reproach
you with,-would you could say the same of
me. LEON SoMERs."
Stella read it,-this cold, mysterious letter,
then sank upon sofa speechless aud power
less. Some lime she remained thus; then,
with a shudder, took the letter from the
floor, where it had fallen, and read 1t again,
carefully studying every phrase. The truth
gradully broke upon her mind,-she was de-
Serted IA deserted wifel Carefully she re-
viewed the past. Her conscience acquitted
her Of having failed IN any known duty to
her husband; indeed the closing words OF
his letter told her she need not ascribe the
loss of her husbands love to any mistake Of
hor own.
Sincerely thankful that her sorrow would
not be embittered by remorsc, she turned
from the past to contemplate the future.
"Alonel alone!" she cried, "oh, 1t is more
than l can bear" and again she sank down,
and her fast-fowing tears testified to the be-
reavement of her weary heart. At length
she arose, and, with an effort partially re-
straining her tears, she donned her hat and
shawl and bent her steps in the direction OF
her fathers house.
How instlnctively, when troubles over
whelm us, do we turn to q mother for con-
ISOLATION and support! Happy are they
who are not early deprived of
mothers love and counsels, especially If that
mother he prudent and wise in her teach
Mrs. Browning had early discovered the
faithlessness of DIR. Somers, but she wisely
iorbore mentioning the subject to Stella,
believing that Stella was acting the part Of
wisdom in appearing unobservant of the
Dr.'s dereliction from the path of duty. She,
too, had hoped that Icons eyes would be
opened to see clearly the wrong he was COM
ho nf
his alteration was removed, and, on this
bright morning. rs she saw Stella approach
ing the house, she fastened to meet her at
the door, hoping TO read in her countenance
the joyful intelligence that Leon had seen
his error. and was endeavoring to atone fol-
it by renewed devotion to his once loved
wife.
But instead of the happy smile and joyful
greeting she had anticipated, n sorrowful,
tear-stained face was hidden on her should
CT. as she extended her hand to welcome
her daughter. and Stella's grief burst forth
anew. Mrs. Browning led the suffering
child to q scat, and sitting by her, clasping
Stella's cold hands in her own in n gentle
but firm and sympathetic pressure, she listen
ed while Stella, in a broken voice, related
the events ofthe past few days.
Mrs. Ingalls, and Nettie, she said, had
taken their departure IN the morning of the
appointed day. Leon had attended them to
the station, and on his return he entered his
Office by the outer door. and did not leave it
until called to dinner. Stella had called
him herself and found him with bowed
head apparently lost in thought. He an
swered her summons, but ate little, and re-
piled to her remarks in an distracted man.
ner, and returned Immediately to his office
where he again remained until tea-time.
He hastily drank cup of tea, and murmur-
ing something about business, went out and
walked quickly down the street.
Stella sat up until their usual hour Tor re-
firing, but he did not return, and, though,
wearied and almost heartbroken, she longed
to unburden her heart to him and hope for a
renewal of his love in return, she thought
best 10 retire, rs he always objected to her
sitting up for him when detained by his
professional duties. Thought was too busy
to admit of sleep, however. The misery and
anxiety of the last few weeks would recur to
her mind, but she strove to forget it in bright
anticipatons of the future, for she believed
Icons conscience was aroused, and doubted
not that few days would see them enjoying
rs great degree of happiness as could be
expected after what had passed. The past
indeed, could never be forgotten, but it could
be atoned for, and she fingered in thought
over the happy reconciliation so ardentlI
desired.
1t was near midnight before she heard
Icons we'll known step. He entered the
house so cautiously, and so carefully opened
and closed the door of their room, that She
saw he did not wish to disturb her, and be
lieving that he was not yet in mood fol-
conversation, she feigned sleep and he retired
to rest without addressing her. She slep
but little, and Leon too WAS restless, and a'
J soon rs the first grey light of dawn crept IL
at the window he arose noiselessly and lei
! the room. Directly after breakfast gentle
man whom Stella knew by sight towns
man, called at the office, and the DIR. sooI
brought his horse from the stable and drove
away, taking the gentleman with him. Sup
posing he had gone to visit patient, Stell'
! went cheerfully about her home duties
What followed the reader has already beer
told. Stella finished her recital by placing
Icons letter in her mothers hand.
Mrs. Browning read it, then drawing he
daughter in a close embrace, she said, " Gu
home is still yours, my daughter. Conn
back to us, and your father and will try t,
beguile your sorrows, and Tighten your sad
t dened heart by every means in our power.
40, mother, know not what to do" re
piled the sorrowing wife. 80, If coul'
, only obliterato the past and be happy cir
} again! o. If Leon had died and was nov
' waiting for me to join him where there is N
, more parting, my grief would be light com
: pared with this. But now he lives, yet h
: has ceased to love me and we are foreVe