Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-28

worlds would l prove faithless 10 my hus-
band. You insult me by your proposal.
yet for the sake Of your former friendship
for my husband, md, more for the kindness
you have invariably shown me since his ar
rest, forgive you, and can only say. an
serry you have so FAR forgotten your honor
as to proifer your love to the wife of your
friend"
Can nothing change your determine
tionp'' tIIJINN II8l FNINI IlIhl
Nothing least Of all your persistence
AFTER my assurance that my love is still my
husbands and my confidence in HIM UNI
shaken"
lie buried his f,co in hrs hands, and NUT
tered bitterly, Z" all has been in vain all in
vainm Ills exclamation struck Mildred Ms
singular, but unable to comprehend his
meaning she remained silent. Presently |
she asked for her children. Gaylord instant
y arose. and retiring from the room soon
returned, bringing the little ones with him.
The mothers feelings on again embracing the
loved ones with whom, few short hours be- |
fore, she had stood rs Il were at the gates OF
deatb, were almost verpoweringb utcontroll-
ing herself by powerful effort, she simply
announced to them her intention of taking
them with her on her daily visit to the pris-
on. But Gaylord again, us he had often
done before. exhibited thoughtful regard
for her welfare, which, now that she under
stood the feelings which prompted it, OPP
pressed her sense Of propriety more than
| ever.
Stay he exclaimed, 'the woman under
whose root we are has prepared breakfast
foryou: stay and eat; then will detain you
no longer"
Unwilling to be under further obligations
to him who had offered SO deep an insult to
her wifely lhonor, even though sincerity
might be his excuse. she lIesitated. but re-
| gard for her children overcame her scruples,
and she allowed herself to incur still another
debt of gratitude toward this man of whom
she had ever felt an instructive dread. The
repast being finished. and Mildred having
been informed that 'the gentleman had paid
the bill and was gone" she babe lher hostess
good morning and with heavy heart turn
ed her steps toward the prison. The kind
hearted iailer admitted them TO the cell Of
the husband and father. md Rgdn Percy
thanked God that he was so blessed as not TO
be denied the frequent visits Of his wife and
children.
But when Mildred related TO him tho
events of the preceding Night, their escape
from terrible death. and tho destitution
which threatened, nothing having been saw
ed from the flames with the exception of the
scanty clothing which covered them, and the
| III L. Al AE.ll.
secured, he at once urged the necessity OF
her compliance with his proposal Of the day
before. Seeing no prospect but that Of suf-
fering for herself and children, fearing too,
the renewal of Ross Gaylord's attentions,
which, if continued. would be little less than
prosecutions, (though she forebore to add to
her husbands burden of grief by mentioning
II word of her interview with his false friend
she consented to aecede to Percy's wishes.
Ascertaining that the small sum of money in
her possession was barely sufii cient to delray
the expenses of herself and children on their
journey, il was decided that this must he the
last meeting of the affl cted family. and that
the travellers must secure conveyance by the
first tram which would take them TO their
destination.
, Accordingly Percy babe, as he feared. a
final farewell to his sorrowing wife. and the
{ little ones who could Ill comprehend the
length Of the impending separation, which to
tho parents seemed interminable even should
they ever meet again on earth. But for the
| sake of the other each bPavely strovc 10
D conceal all doubts and fears, and they sepa-
1 rated with assurances OF undimnished love
: and trust, and expressions Of hope for the
9 future. LFL - o. f
: An hour later Mildred Cliffe and her al
a most fatherless children wore on their way
Q to her fathers home. Never, since the day
n of her clandestine departure, had she heard
: aught Of her father Whether he still lived
{ or whether he rested in the churchyard by
her mother, she knew not, but SHE tried Ia
n cheer her dropping spirits by picturing In
9 imagination tho reconciliation between hor-
q self and II forgiving parent and tho affection
, and respect she should teach her children to
= feel for their grandparent, AS partial atone
e ment for the suffering she had caused him
= Swiftly the iron steed bore them on. and ere
}, another sun had set, Mildred walked the
e familiar street from the station TO her father,
d door. Absence had dimmed the reoollec
l ton of her former friends, for though sh,
t saw many familiar faces among those she
!, met, none gave sign OF recognition. anC
5 shrinking from the necessity OF making her
d self known if she accosted any one to inquire
d concerning her father. she grasped closer the
!, hands of her little ones and hurried on. She
70 soon reached the door Of the dear old home,
y and her eyes dlmmed with tears as she wait
. ed for admittance. Her summons was un
d answered, and gently unclosing the door She
e entered. Within all WIS confusion, and tC
,. her great sorrow she learned that she haC
If but returned to receive her fathers dyini
v blessing.
y Yes, his blessing; for he had ever incurred
d the absence OF his only and dearly lovoC
e daughter and nothing but ignorance of her
f. abode had prevented his recalling her long
ID before, even when he first discovered he
i flight. Now the news OF her arrival wa
1t gently broken to the dying man, and, will
ID her children. Mildred was conducted to hi
o bedside. With weak and tremulous voice
y the aged man assured her of his free for
g givoness, and placing his hands in blessing OF
d the heads of the grandchildren. who, ever
G then, were hidden from his vision by tn,
10 mists OF death, he sunk back upon his pillow
{" and expired.
o Let us not intrude upon the solemnitie
which followed. The funeral cGremonie
20 being over, It was made known 10 Mildred
5. that her father had made II will by wlicI
II his entire property was left in trust to b
70 transferred to her or her children, with in
struchons that diligsnt search should b
'e made for them. Now she, Of course, cam
I'd into Immediate possession, and thankful TO
or the privileges thus accorded to her children
Ill though ia her deep sorrow hardly consciou