Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-06-11

lost. Col. Leslie was not present at the Ia
BILE, and to tho servant who summoned him
he said
Excuse me to your mistress, and bring
me a cup Of coffee. | want nothing else"
IL will carry 1t to him myself said Mar
gerry, when she received the message, and a
few moments more she entered the library
whore he was sitting.
Can | assist youP" she said softly, as she
deposited the unique silver service at his
side.
He had not noticed her presence before.
He glanced hastily in her face, and the tears
stood in his eyes.
IL do not know W neither you can or not"
he replied almost wildly. "My brain is in n
whirl. These papers," pointing to the heaps
upon his either hand, represent all l pos
sessed. l have been here all night, Margery,
and my conviction, after n thorough investi-
CATION is, that W. are almost beggars."
you must rest now at any rate" she
said gently; "and when you have drank
your coffee, we will talk our misfortunes
over.n
Whilst he partook of his breakfast she
busted herself arranging the disordered
apartment. She turned of the gas, which
still burned brilliantly, and throwing aside
the heavy curtains, admitted the sunlight
into the room. Not until then did she OBJ
serve the change that had taken place in her
husbands appearance. lie was worn and
haggard, and his whole frame trembled rs
with an ague. Margery sat down near him,
and, leaning her arms upon the table, look
ed into bis face.
You arc too easily discouraged, Col. Les
lie." she exclaimed with emotion.
II comprehend our situation much more
clearly than you do" he replied gloomily.
"Of the business details, l am of course,
ignorant" she answered; "but they do not
alter nor affect the fact which so intimately
concerns u.s."
"You realize it all then, and yet your heart
is not broken!' he gasped rather than ask
ed.
You refer to the conversation that passed
between us years agop" she inquired, the
red flush mantling her cheeks and the tears
gathering in her eyes.
yes. You told that you would not care
to live, if bereft of society and wealth. That
remembrance has been the bitterest drop in
this bitter, bitter cup.
Forget it," she exclaimed passionately.
Forget that I was ever so nnwomanly, so
ungrateful. Our marriage life so far has
proved a failure, but there is time enough to
redeem it."
Col. Leslie could scarcely believe that he
heard Alright. you are not jesting with me,
Margcry?"
Indeed, indeed 1 am not" she exclaimed
earnestly. although 1 have proved rec
reant to the trust you once rcposed in me, |
am worthier to-day to be your wife than |
was upon our bridal morning. Ii you will
only esteem me again as you did, you shall
never have cause to regret It,"
Colonel Leslie gathered her to his heart
and pressed his lips to her forehead.
There is light ahead for us, Margery,'
he said as soon as he could trust himself to
speak. at is not all as lark as it was a
while ago. | have education. talent, too,
my friends used to say. and old as am, they
must be brought into requisition. In my
early manhood / read and practiced law, and
u few months study will fit me for the pro-
fession again. ..#I""
There were but n few thousands left of all
OF Col. Leslie's vast estate. But when Mar
gerry left the spacious residence which had
been the scene of so many social triumphs,
she felt but one sincere regret, and that was
that so many opportunities for doing good
had been wasted. Though the home she
entered was humble in comparison, she
realized that domestic contentment which
otherwise she would never have known.
With the vigor and energy which had al
ways been prominent traits in Col. Leslie's
character, he entered into his profession and
became distinguished as u lawyer. Once in
the right path, Margery never faltered. and
being constantly in the society of her hus-
band she learned to love him devotedly.
Although to-day his hair is white with age,
his form is still stately and his step still firm,
while by his side, whether in his library
porting over his ponderous books, or in the
parlor entertaining his friends, is the elegant
form and beautiful face of Margery, " the
old mans darling"