Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-01-08
WOODSTOCK. VT, WEDNESDAY, JAN, 8, 1870

NJ have but one care, William, ont
sorrow 10 this world, exclaimed Heller
pressing tho hand which had iondly
clasped hera between both Of her own
"oh, why this concealment You az
free TO do as you will aud 80 am l
though good, generous, aud true ane
rich," she added with smile "as yor
are NY family. you well know, wou'(
receive you with open arms !"
"The time Is some be seated h'
replied IN n tremulous voice, and 70
leasing kis hand with u gesture that
might have been but was not, mis-
taken for codness, And while Helen
sank on n neighboring couch, he lean
cd his arm tor support on the opposite
side OF the mantel.pitcc. Ills coun'
tenance was pale as ashes, but his
voice grew more steady, IN he proceed
cd.
"rhe first tim" | saw YOU" hc con-
tinued, II heard you say You could
more readily forgive the one great
fault of a lite, than habitual meanness
of character / have two sins TO con-
Tess ere would we'd you-as | might
do aud you never know them ; you
see II / mn my own accuser, ! also
make the most Of my virtue; there
tor. do take some credit for enforc.
ing secresy till ] had summoned
strength for the confession, For II
you reject me, AID sorrow in the act,
| believe you would rather not take
the cold world into you col idence.
And yet, Helen, if there be solace in
reavling what tell You, be free as
air to do so If you will. Life would
be SO worthless, the betayal of my
secret would be but as feather, weigh.
ed against the sweet thought fassuag.
ing your sorrow"
"You frighten me, murmued Helen
struggling with emotion.
"In mercy he exclaimed, ''nct
tears,-yet. / will be breif One of
my sins has been wooing you with the
dark knowledge of my breast that a
crime in my early life and its con.
seqences might we'll be considered an
insuperable obstacle to our union.
Oh! forgive me this-ths at least
And he flung himself on his knees be-
fore her, and buried his face in her
garments.
"Wbat terror is to come 7" Quick
quick in pity tell me.
"No forgive me this last fault hrst'
eyes, yes,' che murmured, and her
hand leaned heavily on his shoulder.
The act unnerved him, and shower OF
tears rained from his ewes "Tell me
again she whispered.
81 cannot yet. Bear with me-"
"Then l will guess"
"Ah, do"
With shudder as she put each
fearful question, she began-"Have
YOU shed human blood, protected by
the law of honor, and feel now that
you are a murderer
g" never raised my arm in anger
against aught that has breath ; | never
so much as kicked . snarling cur from
my path" !.
Have You been false friend de-
ceiviug where were been trust
ed?"
81 cannot recall to mind a lie ever
told.'
Once more Helen's hand sought
that of her lovers but she withdrew
it as terrible thought rushed
through her mind. She paused ere
she could give it words. At last she
said. "Have you been guided by the
code of mans moralities, and won
heart only to throw it from you? or
or been guilty of the DEEPER dark
er wrong still 7"
MY conscience is singuraly tree
from all such STAINS. They who 10
these things speak not OF them as
crimes" And he looked up and met
the fearful gaze Of Helen Travers,
without bis own lids dropping.
"Then ] will wed you, she ex
claimed after moments pause, land
only as your wife will learn this dread
full secret"
"You will 2" and William johnson
started to his feet as one who had re.
ceived IN electric shock.
II will.'
For a moment she yielded to his
embrace, but he released her quickly.
Ivy n ...l ,v,, pho nv nj M