The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-07-20

"Well2 of course she is" he answer
In not quite so even a voice. "Wh
should she not be wellY"
Margaret's heart turns sick with th
horrible apprehension that he has al
ready learned to suspect reason aUhy
81 only meant that l should be yer,
glad to see her." she answers, in wha
she strives to make her natural voice
"Will you tell her so from me?"
"You knew her before that time vol
came to stay with us, did you notW h
asks, looking at her with q keen, inquir
ing glance. "Why did you never tel
me that!'
eyes; that is, met her years ago,
answers Margaret, hesitating. "I die
not think she remembered me; but
knew her again as soon as I saw her."
"Did you ever quarrel?" the bride
groom asks, little puzzled at her man
ner.
go, no." replies Margaret with :
shudder, thinking of the crouching fig
ure and the greedy, clutching hands
that she had stolen up the long corridor
to soothe into content. "But she wa,
always a strange girl; and never un
derstood her quite" she adds rather
lamely.
"Yes-strange-that is the word, is il
notr he says eagerly. "Shc is nervous
and depressed sometimes, you know
but that is nothing. She used to be
that that is what you mean is il moi? p
| 1t goes to Margarets heart to see the
wistful look with which he waits fol
her answer, striving to put away from
his thoughts the awful fear which she
knows has already overshadowed his
life.
81 think she was always nervous,
she answers, wishing that she dared say
something to comfort him, if she coulC
do so without lie. "But of course
now that she is happy, there is nothing
to be anxious about in that"
She does not offer to visit the bride
herself, knowing what the sight of hel
must recall to Leah's mind, and not il
truth believing that her presence would
be welcome, whatever Mrs. Ashton
might say to her husband of her wisf
to see Margaret Fenwick again.
"Tell her how glad l shall be, if she
likes to come" she says earnestly wher
Arthur Ashton takes her hand in his
again to say goodbye.
iCc, Will ttll HcI, llc HllSWtrS
but all the unreal cheerfulness has dice
out from his voice. "It will do hel
good to have friend like you-somt
woman to whom she can talk"
Margaret does not answer, for the
tears are fillingl her eyes; but ii need,
no words to tell Arthur Ashton that the
heart he has thrown away is large
enough for what he asks of it. The
months go by, but Leah Ashton still
only talks of coming to see the CIR
whose place in life she has taken from
her; so that Christmas comes around
again without Margaret having seer
her rival, since the evening on which
Leah came out of the conservatory
with the spray of maidenhair in hel
hand. There is reason why Mrs. Ash
ton should stay in her own house now
and Margaret is not surprised to see il
the paper one day that Arthur Ashton
has another reason for being every hap
py." She has almost persuaded her
self that he may be so by this time, anc
writes to tell him of her hope, with hel
love 10 his wife. She did not think thai
such a letter required immediate &C
knowledgement, and opens his reply 6
little anxiously, hearing that it has beer
brought by special messenger.
| "Come, if you can, at once-sh il
asking for you. God have mercy upoi
me! A. A"
He is waiting for her at the door al
she drives up, and even in the gas-ligh
she can see upon his brow an awfu
dread that his prayer will not be heard
"YOu are not afraid to see her%
Margaret puts her hand in his by way
of reply, and her very touch seems t
give him courage.
"She is not quite herself, you know
not sensible, ] mean-but the doctor
say that is common. And your nam,
has been OH her lips all day. She will
be calmer when she sees you, will sh,
not?"
eyes, yes" says Margaret, chokin,
back her tears. "Only take me to he
at once"
She kneels by the bedside, disregard
ing the presence of the doctor ant
nurse, and her soft arms steal lovingl,
round Leah's neck, rs in the old days.
"Dear Leah, am here" she whis
pers.
The heavy lids open, and the darl
mystery of the wonderful eyes, blurred
and scorchcd with the lurid fire tina
Margaret remembers so well, is turned
full upon her.
"Don't go away Leah whispers, il
a hoarse, exhausted voice. ''They ar
shutting me up alone again."
Her husband is standing at the foot o
the bed, with horror-stricken, wonder
ing face, but she has no eyes for him.
sit is so dark and miserable, Marga
ret, but Twill be quiet if you stay. Max
them let you stay, do you hearr"
The weak voice rises almost to
scream, and Margaret tries in vain t,
soothe il.
eyes, dear Leah, | am Margaret
Dear Leah, you know that love you
Oh, my poor darling, YOU know that
love your"
The surgeon, who is standing opposite
Margaret, shakes his head solemnly a
she raises her eyes TO meet his, and th,
shadow of death begins already TO stea
over the room. Even the lips are chill
and pallid as Margaret touches then
with her own, and the feverish grasp o
the poor weak hand dies into impotenc
in her warm fingers. The dark tangle,
hair falls over the shapely brow an,
thick, curved eyebrows just as it uset
to do, and Margaret does not know, un
til she is told, that it is yelling the fac
of the dead. And there is no need 70
her to pity Leah Ashton any more
Temple Bar.
PrOmiscuOus Kissing,