Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-07-04

side and have the windows cut down to
the ground. DR.. Stanton was making
Sadie a visit; and she feeling more
than usually indisposed to entertain him
tete-a-tete, had suggested that they
should inspect the repairs. AS they en-
tered the room the workmen were re-
moving the woodwork from the princi-
pal window, which was badly warped,
and contained several deep cracks.
"Hello!" exclaimed one. as he took
out piece of casing, "there's something
down there that looks like a letter."
and in another moment he had pulled
out an envelope from where it was ly-
ing between the woodwork and the wall.
"a letter |" exclaimed Sadie, step
ping quickly forward; ..let me see it.
please"
Taking it from the man, she gave one
look at lew words traced npon 1t, and
low cry broke from her lips.
"Oh, Roger. my darlingl thank God
you are saved" and before the doctor,
who sprang forward, could catch her,
she had fallen to the floor in a dead
faint.
Raising her head, DR.. Stanton drew
small vial of smelling salts from his
pocket, at the same time despatching
one of the workmen for Mr.. Melton !;
but by the time he arrived, Sadie was
once more on her feet, and extending
the letter exclaimed:
"See, father-see! The mystery is
solved, and the cloud lifted at last
Taking the envelope, Mr.. Melton
gazed at it moment in silent bewilder-
ment; then opening it mechanically,
drew out the lost certificate
Where was this found ?"
down between the window casing
and the WALL" answered Sadie, excited
ly. "Your hand must have been rest
ing over that long crack in the sill, on
that day, and while you slept the letter
slipped down there. Oh, father land
poor Roger"
"Shall have justice, my dear-indeed
he shall '' interrupted Mr.. Melton.
have done the young man great wrong
but it shall be repaired as far as it can
be-"
Excuse me-" interrupted the doctor
are you speaking of Roger Woodwork p
"Yes-yes-yes !" said Sadie eager
ly. "Do you know him, Doctor"
81 am attending his mother, who is
very ill, and who Is expecting her son
daily. He may be with her by this
time. have not called yet to-day"
"Oh, then, Doctor" exclaimed Saddle,
her cheeks ahame, "if you would-ii
you only would"
II will go at once" said DR.. Stanton
anticipating her words, and regarding
her with smile at once sad and tender.
'And shall take message from you
Mr.. Melton % he added.
"Yes, yes,' said the gentleman, '.tel
him to come up here, that may clasl
the hand of an honest man in forgive
ness"
In the little cottage he had left tw'
years before in such deep distress ant
sorrow of heart, Roger Woodworth wa
kneeling by the bedside of his mother
A soft step sounded in the room, anc
the invalid looked up with faint smile
"Ah, Doctor" she said then placing
her thin hand lovingly on Rogers head
which was still bowed. she added: "Thi
is my boy-my dear son He has com
to receive his mothers dying blessing.
"And more tnan that, my friend,
said the doctor, laying hic hand on tn
young mans shoulder. "Look up, Rog
t er Woodworth, and let me see the fac
of an honest mana man whose fai
name is free from the suspicion that ha
SO long rested upon it p
With bonnd, Roger was on his feet
, his eyes luminous, his face afame.
"What are you saying 2" he said in
voice husky with intense eagerness
, "Say those words-those blessed word
: -once more !"
There are others waiting to sa
: them Mr.. Melton desires to clasp you
, hand in forgiveness and reconciliation
while another awaits you, of whose we
come 1 need not speak"
= "Thank God! !' exclaimed the invalid
r $50 to them, Roger. and then return
e that we may thank the Lord for thi
y great blessing
r There was nothing to tell in that il
n terview that the reader does not alread
: know; but the joy it sent to the hear
t of Mrs. Woodwork seemed to plolon
o her life; and two months later thel
q was quiet wedding in her sick room, &
which DIR. Stanton was present AS tn
married pair knelt to receive the motE
d er's blessing. the hands that had bee
r extended above their heads dropped sof
h ly upon them and rested ohere; an
- stepping forward, the doctor lifted thel
gently and laid them across her breast.
: Within few months Roger WOOD
d worth made voyage to Australia, a,
q companied by his bride and after di