Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-07-09
er, and her husband encouraged the
continuance of our intimacy.

continuance of our intimacy.
Observing my pallor of countenance,
and low spirits, she often came with
Maggie, a gentle horse given her by
Frank for her own use, to take me out
for drive. thereby hoping to cheer me
up and benefit my health. All this
sympathy and kindness was great
comfort to me, but it was powerless to
remove the cause of my grief and mortl-
fcation. Time dragged on in this man.
ner for three years. Ralph becoming
more and more the victim of appetite,
till Mr. Page was at last forced to turn
him away because he had become in
competent for business. Now my hus.
band was castaway indeed. Our lit
tie means soon went all for rum. | took
IN work to support myself and child.
Ralph came home now and then, but the
most of his time was spent in grog-
shops. He lost all love for home-and
had the mad love of strong drink-to
obtain which, every thing else was sac
rihced. [ could not but contrast my
lot with Edith's-mine so wretched and
hopeless, hers so peaceful and bright
l rejoiced in her happiness, and was not
envious. But this 1 did think: if in
choosing life companions we would lis.
ten to our reason instead of a kind of
insanity of Imagination and passion,
there would be fewer unhappy matches
in the world. Well would it be if
young men and women would heed the
the voice of Reason. Well I managed
to live along miserably for some years.
One day man came running to our
house saying, 'your husband has been
thrown from a wagon, and l fear he is
killed" This proved to be true. |
was not surprised, for I had expected
for long time that he would meet a
violent death. And this was the end
of it all.
Friends. among whom Edith was
chief, came to aid and cheer me, with
gentle ministrations. l had no money,
and some unknown friend paid all the
funeral expenses-I could only conject-
ure whom. A few days after the burial,
Edith came and urged me to 60 and
live with her.
81 need your help SO much" she
said, land Frank approves of it-so we
will not take no for an answer"
Poor, weak and distressed longed
became again member of Frank Mars
den's household. They treated me
with so much tenderness and considera-
tion, as if they were the ones benefited
by the arrangement instead of myself.
that l settled down into the calm of
that home like tired child resting on
its mothers bosom. Time drifted along
for year; and as | tried to make my
self useful. 1 thought I might remain
there for the rest of my life. But as
the months went by, there occurred
something that l must tell you of.
When l tell you of my weakness, you
may call it sin. But are we account
able for what we cannot help? Will
such things be called up in the great
day?
"My child" l said, "God judgeth
not as man judgeth."
Then Nellie continued.
"lf | did not wish you to know all
I would keep the humiliating confession
to myself. I've said Mr.. Marsden was
kind to everybody; but to me, he seem
ed the truest friend I had; and being
in his society so much, felt the ole
attachment reviving. 1t grew strongel
| till knew it had passed the bounds o
friendship. 1 loved Edith's husband
I struggled against it with all my powe
as soon as I know it, but in vain.
fairly loathed myself for this WEAKNESS
l would gladly have given up my lif
if it had not been for Blanche. This /
the most remorseful part of my exist
ence.
"Since you struggled against you
passion, | cannot see how you were t
blame. The traits of character tha
first drew you to Mr.. Marsden, woul
operate to attract and win you agair
Your mistake was in putting yoursel
where you would so constantly enjo
his society and feel his influence"
81 know it, mother. and l at once de
termined to 60 away. | am SO gla
you do not think I was wicked to loy
him. I thought I was, though | di
not intend it." AS soon as I had mad
: the resolution to leave, 1 went to Edit
and told her l was going away. .
r can never pay you for your kindess
me and mind, but I must go-and yc
e must not ask me for reason"
t Edith began to cry.
q "Don't make it hard for me-" l sait
e .'for duty and reason and self-respe'
: bid me co.
e Whether my face told anything
$ cannot say, but she ceased urging n
e and asked me where | proposed g
}. ing.
!. ST caDnot %oll-qod will direct m