The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-03-21

not say what stupidity kept me wonder
ing, as did, for fifteen minutes, about
the reason and force Of both his act and
words. Then | leaped to my feet with
tho question in my mouth, "What did he
take from his trunk 2" ran into his
room, and found the box locked and the
key gore. l had once seen hsll.porter
spring lock with q well-placed kick
1t succeeded the lid flew up, and l
seized it. | looked for Thurman's pistol
case. As now fully expected, one Of
the glitteripg weapons was gone
Now, then, for Reinhart's house [
caught up my hat, and was out Of doors
in an instant. 1t was not time for
roads and corners, and took a straight
line over fences, through yards, and
across vineyards, and never halted for ali
instant. came up to the old red house
with its dumped wood by q side.path,
that, being grass grown, gave no echo to
my footsteps. | caught glimpses, while
l was yet thirty yards away, Of figures
moving in the little courtyard. l was
about to burst in upon them, when their
positions and behavior deferred me.
There were present Thurman, Seibel
and Reinhart. Thurman was almost fac
ing the covert where was, standing be.
side the boe of one of the willows. The
girl was locked close 10 his arms with her
head turned sideways and upward upon
his breast. Her eyes were closed, but
between their lids there trickled few
tears-not hot current that denoted Il
turbulent passion, but those scant drops
that utter woe sometimes wrings from
one whom it has paralyzed, The father
grasped the skirt OF his daughters dress
with his guarded hand, aud, with the rim
of his hat half covering his trembling
lips, sought to draw her away
For one splendid instant they stood
thus. All was absolutely silent. Even
the rustic of the leaves was hushed, and
the falling sunlight spread upon their
heads and figures its ineffable glow.
What scene was this for me = | who
could divine the agonies that beset them
all. | had but to utter word to dis
solve these agonies-I had but to ap.
prise Thurman of the cause of the sudden
change in Reinharts sordid mind, to ex
plode the sorrow that seemed to impend
but | did not move. [ was entranced
alluied by the poetic spectacle.
Seibel's arms dropped from her lovers
shoulder, her head sank upon her breast
and, guided by her fathers hand, she
made a step backward. Had it not been
for tho glaring brilliancy Of Thurman
eyes, | believe 1 should have thought
him dead, Notwithstanding his uprighi
position. He was as white as chalk, hi.
cheeks were "dragged" upon his face, and
his lips were parted over his set teeth
His shoulders we're lowered, and his form
was so bent that it did not seem that he
could sustain it moment.
From Seibel's lips there burst q long
cry that partly rcsembled the grOau of q
man and partly the wailing of a child
She did not look at Thurman. Her for
titude was something sublime. The two
father and daughter drew away inch
by inch, the former growing more
resolute and the latter more mild. Wha
was this to end in ? Could the girls fil
ial love withstand this frightful test
Could Thurman's spirit bear yet another
outrage?
l felt touch upon my arm.
Before l turned | knew whose face.
was to meet. 1t seemed as natural tina
Marion Walling should be there as tina
any criminal should be present at his ow,
arraignmcnt.
She whispered distinctly
"Prevent this Send her back TO him
Tell Reinhart that will not interfere
Hasten, In the name Of mercy !"
From her lips these words were sim
ply heroic. They were against the Spiri
of the whole of her willful life. Will
one breath she damned up the fierce cur
rent Of her desires-a current that hat
heretofore swept all obstacles before it
and for this cause
She was pallid, and tears stood in he
eyes. Tears from Marion Walling.
l turned and walked quickly into thu
court yard, and was beside Reinhart in
moment. whispered to him. He quit
ted his hold upon his daughters dress
She flew to Thurman like an arrow.
heard them kiss each other, and l let
Reinhart away. Miss Waling left tn
place, aud | did not see her until tina
night at late hour She sent for me a
her hotel and said -
81 beg that you will, if possible, keel
it secret from Mr.. Thurman that l hav
been here. II it is not impossible, en-
deavor to make him think that l hav
had no hand in his affairs. If that is no
possible, make it clear, at least, that
now perceive how guilty towards him
have been. Say that | humble mysel
before him-that |, too, have pain-pai
that fear will never leave me :"
could believe that. | never saw
woman so utterly cast down. and ye
holding herself with so grand an air. Sh
and her father left the island on tho fol
lowing day. | told Thurman all. H
bowed gravely, but said nothing-not
word lie and Seibel were marie
within the week, and believe them t
be perfectly happy.-Appleton's .JOurna