Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-02-02
Forgiveness.

ueepeHlnS iuIV lWliiSut, dnu Ine sHoH, |
that had been threatening all day, was
beginning to toss about the first of its
white favors. as lady stood at large
easement anxiously gazing across the
valley on the cedar fringed mountain
road opposite.
She was apparently about twenty-five
years of age, with soft gray eyes and a
clear, though pale complexion. Could
she have been transported to Chestnut
Street or Broadway, with the accompani-
ments of crimps, rats turbans and pheas-
ant wing, she might have passed for
scarcely twenty; but, here at home, in
her soft lavendar dress which harmonic
ed SO well with the shining brown hair
plainly braided back from her face, and
the tiny blue bow at her throat, the five
years seemed rather to be on the other
side.-But her countenance was not de-
pendent for its charm on either youth or
beauty; being one of those quiet home
faces, which as the years passed along,
gather by the side of sick beds, over
cradles-and it may be over graves
beauty which the evanescent glow of
youth rarely equals. So at least thought
DR.. Ashley, when, three years before. he
took her from the village school, and the
tuition of rough miners children, to be
the light and comfort of his homo.
1t is for him that she is straining her
eyes with looking into the darkness, and
glad smile rises to her face as some
thing moves among the cedars, clatters
across the bridge in the valley where
the village lights are already twinkling,
and moment later the well-known gig
rattles up to the door.
He was only rough old country doc
tor, this husband of Lucy Ashley, but,
to her, he was hero-demigod-the
representative of all that is good and
noble in manhood. And, indeed, we
might make heroes of worse material
than of some of these bronzed and wealth
erbeaten disciples of the healing art,
who, regardless alike of heat and cold,
night or day, spend their lives in attend
ing suffering humanity.
Watching, Lucy ?" cried the CHEEKY
voice, as having shaken off the feathery
snowfakes the doctor entered the case
ment which she held open for him.
1t was very plain room; deriving
most of its charm from the white cur
tains, fragrant plants, and neatly ar
ranged tea-table, yet prevailed by an all
of comfort which in more luxurious
apartments is often lacking.
After the pleasant tea was over, and tht
doctor established in dressing-gown anc
slippers by the fireside Opposition which
he might possibly hold throughout th'
evening, but from whence it was NOR,
probable that he would be called t
drive six or eight miles over the noun
tains.) Lucy brought her low chair ant
knitting and sat beside him. Evidentl
she had something of Importance to say
for her work progressed ftfully, till a
last, throwing it down in desperation
and raising her eyes, she exclaimed, hui
riedly, as though the subject was diss
greeably and must be gotten throug
, quickly:
"Robert, another letter came to-da
from Mrs. Hervey."
"To you!''
: "Yes; at least it was addressed to m
Y though of course it concerns you MOI
l nearly. I'll bring it,
"No," said he, OBTAINING her. :
t don't care to see it. l suppose it is o
ly a reassertion of her husbands inn
= cence ?"
t "Yes, principally that; she says tn
his last words were, ASK Cousin Robe
: to forgive me for these years of estrang
o ment, and tell him, on the word of
. ing man, that l know nothing of t
II deed which has occasioned all the trou
le.'"
is "I've heard all that before Had t
= woman sent the deed, 1t would ha
u made difference but as she won
4 why should she presume to trouble y
m about it ?''
81 suppose she thought that | COT
IN plead her cause better than herself; a
a indeed, Robert cannot help think
NJ that there may have been some mistal
on Another reason is. she says, that she
IL herself sinking rapidly, that she has
~ relations in the world, and asks us to
ee' ceive her little boy, who is your mai
-, sake. She adds that if she could OF
of get your forgiveness to carry with her
her husband, she would be willing
ell travel on foot from Philadelphia,
a her baby in my arms, and die"
uu Nonsense !" exclaimed the doctor
we "She need do nothing more melodr;
.ch attic than sending on the deed. And
the for her husband, if he has Gods forg
ex ness he does not need mine. l tell
80 ~. Lucy. that man injured me more t
YER you can uhueis'anu oue lor hiin'
ION might now be in possession of a lu
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