Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-25
VOL. 7O.-3503. NO. 45.h

the household, which was seen now by the
general anxiety Of all 70 do something for
he's relief ard comfort.
lhe doctor was, fortunately. nj homo. and
came at once. lie bandaQcd th. ibeamsd
loot, and ordered her to be kept verv ot,iet
shall stay with her, DEAR said mamma.
lou had better 60 down and keen Regov
company. at dinner It will be lonely for
him by himself"
" ! am not hungry" al answered. 81 shan't
go down till afterward."
Twas standing alone by the drawinrroom
fire, when he came in from the diniug.room.
"All by YOURSELF Winnie he said. ats
very jolly in here drawing a chair to the
fire and seating himself" pleasanter with
out light too think"
There was silence between US for few
minutes, and then he sad, half hesitatinglv;
"D DO you know have come round to your
way of thinking about Miss Armitage's at
fractions ? She is a very beautiful woman"
You have not taken long 10 change your
mind, | observed coldly
Well, believe that is lady's privi-
lege," he said, laughing; but may take
advantage Of it for once She has the
sweetest face ever saw"
pretty bride, You know she is engaged Go
be married. Her intended is in India-she
had letter from him this morning"
| felt my head turn giddy when had
spoken the cruel, lying words They seemed
forced from me by some wicked power
which possessed me when his praises Of her
sounded in my ears.
lie hadrisen from his seat and was stand
ing before the fire. bis face was shaded by
his hand, and could not see the expres-
sion but the ring Of hidden pain was in his
voice when he spoke.
"I did not know IL till now-did not even
suspect it but / am glad you have told me.
as must not forget to congratulate her."
81 imagine that it is secret engage
ment," | said, quickly, and that she does
not like to have it spoken of. | tried to
talk to her one day about it, and she changed
the subject at once"
Then in that case | shall say nothing
about it. should be very sorry to meddle
with any lady's secret engagement with
scornful emphasis on the words. " But it
is very strange"
The last words were spoken in so low a
tone that | only just caught them; but |
knew their meaning.
1t was very strange to his truthful, hon
orabe nature that She should have given
taclt consent, as it were, to his words and
looks OF love, when engaged to another
very strange that pure-minded woman, as
he had thought her 10 be, should so act, and
his pride and anger were kindled, and rose
up at the idea Of being treated as a favored
lover one moment and then thrown aside
when the other man should make his an
pearance.
| knew that no woman who acted as he
believed Helen Armitage had would ever be
his wife, and felt that | had done my work
we'll
Goodnight, Winnie" he said, presently.
81 must leave you to take your coffee by
yourself; | have a lot of tiresome letters to
write"
He stopped down and kissed me, and then
left the room.
Oh the misery of that evening when sat
by myself, outwardly calm, but with a rag
ing congict within
Yes, had done my work well had told
a wicked lie, and destroyed the happiness of
two lives. At one moment / felt | must
throw myself on Reggy's neck and tell him
all but then what would he think Of me
lie must always look on me with loathing,
and the idea Of being an outcast from his
affection and respect was so terrible to me
that determined, at all hazards, to keep my
own counsel-to face it out.
And tried to comfort myself with the
wild, faint hope that in time he would for
get her-that she would pass away out of
our lives and leave no trace behind of the
misery she had caused.
And so | sat on and on, keeping no count
OF time. The rain fell heavily without, the
wind had risen and moaned drearily, and all
the peace and happiness of my life seemed
to have passed out into the wild storm, and
to be blown away OH its troubled breast.
fcoNCLrpFD NFNr WEEK.