The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-02-06

right to protect her and care for her
and take her abroad with him at once
80 the ceremony was said, aud Addi,
found herself suddenly removed from
her position of 0bscurity and tireson,
toll, with nothing but hope and happi
ness before her, and Tracy Gray TO lov,
her.
''There is Just one favor, and l an
sure you will do 1t for me 2" she said Il
him, an hour before their steamer sail
ed.
They were almost ready to leave
their hotel when she spoke, and III
smiled at her unusual intensity of man
ner and language.
whatever you wish, even to thu
half of my kingdom, little girl" he an
swered gaily.
Then she banded him blank shce
of paper and pen.
81 want you to write and tell Mrs
Darcy that we are married. Tracy
she-she said --intimated such horrible
things; and am specially anxious she
should realize how wrongly, how in
saltingly, she spoke"
He laughed, reaching out for the den
Anything to please you, Addie
moiw
And he wrote just such an announce
ment of thoir marriage, and just such ,
announcement of Mrs. D'Arcy's crue
harshness to his wife as suited Addi,
perfectly.
Then he sealed, and addressed, ant
stamped the envelope, and-put it il
his pocket to mail.
"You are so good, my dar lingl Car
ing for mer'
And he looked in Adde'S eyes, wher
she said it, smiling, and kissed her lips
Love knows no debt, my sweet
DC happy-that is ALL"
Her most intimate friend would ncy.
er have known her. Tracy Gray him.
self would scarcely have recognized, in
the face that was white and rigid as the
sheeted, coffined dead, the glowing
loveliness and happiness that had been
shining IN Adde'S face an hour ago.
1t was almost terrifying to see her
sitting in her elegant blue satin rocking
chair, that servant had taken out on
the upper balcony for her, and looking
as if something had suddenly frozen her
into the attitude of despair and intent
eagerness she had taken.
An hour ago, Tracy had left her, with
a kiss OH the forehead, telling her he
would not be back until ,dark-iust i'm
time for dinner-and bidding her enjoy
herself as she chose.
She had taken her work-some pleas
ant little silken embroidery work
and had her favorite chair carried out
into the delicious GOODNESS of the mar
ble-ffoored balcony. And then she had
been sitting there, thinking, as her
dainty fingers few, of all the wonder
ful romance and exquisite happiness of
her life, since the day, year ago, when
she and Tracy had sailed away from
America, and came to this blue skied
Italy, where they made their home in
an old, magnificent palace, where roy
atty had lived, and loved, and suffered.
and hated and died.
Such life it had been to Addie, ever
since that wedding day, for all there
were many and many things at which
she often wondered-for all she had
never been content with Tracy's laugh
ing, loving assurance that he was jeal-
GUS of her, when once or twice she had
asked him why he never took her here
or there.
Beyond that once or twice, Addic had
been too proud to ever speak to him of
1t again, but it had not been possible
for her to help thinking of it, and won
dering. But she so thoroughly loved
him, 80 perfectly trusted him, that new
er until this fatal summer day did a
thought of aught that was i'll occur TO
her.
And this morning her fate marched
up to her, cruel, relentless, nearly kill
ing her with its sudden horror.
1t was mellow, musical voice she
heard on the balcony above her, that
opened from the suit of rooms occupied
by some boon friend of her husbands,
and it was his name that attracted her
attention, and Strengthened her in her
chair in q sudden vague fear and pain
"Gray will never be such fool, l as
sure you, Melmoran. know from his
own words that she is not his wife, and
also know that il is q settled thing
that he will marry Miss Ogden you
know the pretty little American girl
mean?"
A faint powerlessness held Addie, SO
that she did not SO much as moan.
Then another voice-Melmoran's II
W as, and, IN ihe midst of her dazed hor,
ror and bewilderment, she recognized
it:
"Well, if he gets the charming little
| Ogden, he's in luck, at all events, only
l would prefer his present choice my
self. She is deuced pretty little lady
the rascall keeps her altogether tot
closely retired. By-the-way, you know
the great chancery case has been decid
ed in Gray's favor, in default of near
er heir? 1t was telegraphed over TO-
day, and he's million or so the richel
for it. He's OIL with Miss Ogden for
drive, l believe"
and Addie sat there, growing NOR,
and more like corpse with ever,
breath that came laboring from he
lungs, with her brain burning, he
thoughts whirling madly, her hear
nearly stopping its heavy, sluggisl
throbs.
Not his wifel Great heavens-no
Tracy's wife And he about to marr,
some one elsel
Then the tense muscles relaxed, an,
she slid crouching to the floor, with Tia
lovely sunshine streaming on her woe
full face, and quivering limbs.
| And by and by, when servant cam'
to lunch, an alarm was given, and sh,
was lifted to her bed, still in the dea,
faint that held her in its icy clutch, un
! til inst before the time came when Ira
/ oy Gray wonld be home again. an,
then she raised up and forced hersel
into action; and when he came an hou
4 or two tardy, Addie was gone.
Six months later, and Glen Alice, !,
ling fair and magnificent in the col
January sunlight, that glittered owe
i the frcsh-fallen snow, was as gloriou
a heritage as ever man fell heir to.
Tracy Gray, muffied in his seal skin
. and gloves, and scarfs, sat costly bac
in the sleigh, and took note of the beal
- -. 10 L. -