The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-06-03


ceit, which is the natural weapon Of de
Tense used by the weak creature
against the strong, then ceases to be
confined within the limits assigned by
the scene of self-respect and by the re.
straints of education. A woman in this
position will descend, eelf-blinded, 70
acts of meanness which would be re-
voting to her if they were related of
another person. Stella had already be-
gun the process Of self-degradation by
writing secretly to WinterAeld. 1t was
only to warn him of the danger Of trust.
ing Father Benwell-but it was letter
claiming him as her accomplice in an
act of deception. That morning she had
received Penrose with the outward cor
dialitias Of waloonne which arc offered TO
an old and dear friend. And now. in
the safe solitude Of her room, she had
fallen to a lower depth still. She was
deliberately considering the safest
means OF acquainting herself with the
confidential conversation which Ro-
mayne and Penrose would certainly
hold when she left them together.
"He will try to set my husband against
me, and I have right to know what
means he uses in my own defense"
With that thought she reconciled her
self to an action which she would have
despised il she had heard of it as the
action Of another woman.
1t was beautiful autumn day.
frightened by clear sunshine, enlivened
by crisp air. Stella put on her hat and
went out for stroll in the grounds.
While she was within view from the
windows Of the servants Offices she
walked away from the house. Turning
the corner OF shrubbery, she entered
winding path on the other side, which
led back to the lawn under Romayne's
study window. Garden chairs were
placed here and there. She took one
OF them and seated herself-after last
moment OF honorable hesitation-where
she could hear the mems voices through
the open window above her.
Pehrose was speaking at the time.
eyes. Father Benwell has granted
me holiday" he said; "but / don't
come here to be an idle man. You
must allow me to employ my term of
leave in the pleasantest of all WAYS. I
mean to be your secretary again."
Romayne sighed.
"Ah, il you knew how have missed
your
Stella waited in breathless expecta-
tion for what Penrose would say to this.
Would he speak Of hera No. There
was natural tact and delicacy in him
which waited for tho husband to intro
duce the subject.
Penrose only said: " How is tho great
work getting onP"
The answer was sternly spoken in one
word: BadlyT
II am surprised to hear that, Ro.
mayne."
"Why? Were you as innocently
hopeful as was? Did you expect my
experience of married life to help me in
writing my book ?"
Penrose replied after q pause, speak |
ing little sadly.
~ expected your married life to ell.
courage you in all your highest aspira
tions." he said.
Stella turned pale with suppressed
anger. He had spoken with perfect sin. |
cerity. The unhappy woman believed
that he lied for the express purpose Of
rousing irritation against her in her
husbands irritable mind. She listend
anxiously for Romayne's answer.
He made no answer. Penrose changed |
the subject.
"You are not looking very WE'LL" he
gently resumed. at am afraid your
health has interfered with your work
Have you had any return"
1t wes one of the characteristics OF
Romayne's nervous irritability that he
Aever liked to hear the terrible delusion
OF the voice referred to in words.
eyes" he interposed. bitterly: al
nave neard 1t again ana again. My
right hand is as red as ever, Penrose,
with the blood Of fellow-creature. |
Another destruction of my illusions,
when married u
"Romayne, I dom. like to hear you
sleak Of your marriage in that way"
"Oh, very we'll. Let us go back to
my book. Perhaps shall get on better |
with it now you are hore to help me.
My ambition to make name IN the
world has never taken SO strong hold
on me Il don't know why, unless other
disappointments have had something to
do with it) as at this time, when I find
I can't give my mind to my work. We
will make last effort together, my
friend. II it fails we will put my manu-
scripts into the fire, and I will try some
other career. Politics are open to me.
Through politics might make my mark
in diplomacy. There is something in
directing the destinies Of nations won.
derfully attractive to me in my present
state of feeling. hate the idea oi
being indebted for my position in the
world, like the veriest fool living, to the
accidents OF birth and fortune. Are
You content with the obscure life that
you lead9 Did you not envy that priest
(he is no older than I am) who was sent
the other day as the Pope's ambassador
to PortugalY" f'g snii
Penrose spoke out at last without any
hesitation:
"You are in thoroughly unwhole-