Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-02-18

ghostly flicker of a street lamp on the
wall. She had not the courage to arise
and light another; besides, what would
he think should he come and find her
waiting for him ? How should he know
she never slept till he was safe in the
house; that even IN her dreams his face
was before her with its proud, cold look ?
Yes, how should he know, when he tho't
the woman he had taken for his wife
block of ice I? Still she sat shivering
and whispering, "Oh, why does he not
cOme!" then, locking her hands togeth-
er, she family prayed: 80 God, bring
him safe back to me. Let me but tell
him how much l love him. Give me but
the power to keep him by my side" AS
the thought came to her of women far
lesstlair than she, with whom he had
smiled and bent his noble head in hon.
age, she sobbed aloud, and the bare
walls echoed back the sob and stilled
the prayer yet unfinished; but in her
heart she cried: "Give me but child,
O God, that his heart may turn to me l'
While her imagination pictured his
joy, the sound of footsteps rapidly ap-
preaching struck upon her ear. Yes,
surely, they came nearer and nearer.
She tried to raise herself, but was too
weak. A thrill of JOY ran through her
frame. Now they had stopped in front
of her window; then she heard the bell
of the great Porte cochire ring through
the house the click of the door as it
closed /; the steps ascending the stairs !;
the key rattling in the key-hole, and her
husband entered softly. "Oh! God be
praised u she said, over and over again.
"He is safe. He was but little late.
Oh if could but see him for mo-
ment, should be willing to die Heav-
en- help me to reach him l''
She rose and put on her wrapper,
whilst the most agonizing pains shot
through her body. causing her heart to
futter against her breast. Barefooted,
she crept slowly across the corridor, past
many doors, till at last she arrived at
the one which led into her husband s
study. 1t was not shut fast. She push
ed it open noiselessly and entered.
There, his curly head pillowed on his
arms, sat her husband, and within an
inch of his hand lay a silver-mounted
revolver. A dreadful faintness seized
her when she saw it, and the words, 81
am not too late," came involuntarily
from her lips.
Her husband started to his feet, grasp.
ing. the revolver in his hand.
Throwing up her arms, she cried
wildly: "Oh no, no, my husband
You must live it is for me to die!
who have caused you so much pain O
Gustave, my husband, love you; yor
are my all !" And running forward she
clasped her two arms around his neck
her lips sought his, and she fell sense
less at his feet.
80, my God how I have misjudget
her" cried Gustave, as he bent over tn,
lovely form of his wife. 81 thought he
cold, proud and loveless, and she ha
loved me all this time. She thinks l d,
not love her, when a moment ago l wa
ready to give my life that she might no
suffer the disgrace of seeing me in exile
Oh, it cannot be too late Lucille, m,
wife, speak to me |"
In agony he chafed her hands ant
feet, but all in vain. The spirit ha'
flown, the beautiful body was but al
empty shell; the soul had scared ia
across the dark river of death, into th
everlasting beauty and glory of its Max
er's presence. He had made bargain
and had cheated himself. The Lor
J took back his own, and it was her etel
nal gain.
,