The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-07-01

ed perpetually; she read innumerable
novels; she corresponded with her
friends. In the long dull evenings the
once lively lady openly regretted that
she had not been born q man, with the
three masculine resources OF smoking.
drinking and swearing placed at her dis
posal. 1t was dreary existence, and
happier influences seemed but little
likely to change it. Grateful as she
was to her mother, no persuasion could
induce Stella to leave Ten Acres and
amuse herself in London. Mrs. Eyre.
court said with melancholy and meta
phorical truth, "There is no elasticity
left in my child"
On dim gray morning mother and
daughter sat by the fireside, with anotL-
erlong day before them.
Lewis is staying in town." Stella
answered, listlessly.
"In company with our enemyY
Stella was too dull to Immediately nm.
derstand the allusion. "Do you mean
Father Benwell ?" she inquired.
"Don't mention his name, my dear.
have rechristened him on purpose to
avoid it. Even his name humiliates
me. How completely the fawning old
wretch took me in-with all my knowl-
edge OF the world, too He was so nice
and sympathetic such comforting
contrast, on that occasion, to you and
your husband-I declare forgot every
reason had for not trusting him. Ah
We women are poor creatures-we may
own 1t among ourselves. If man only
has nice manners and pleasant voice
how many of us can resist himP Even
Romayne imposed upon me-assisted
by his property, which in some degree
excuses my folly. There is nothing to
be done now, Stella, but to humor
him. Do as that detestable priest does.
and trust to your beauty there isn't as
much OF it left as could wish) to turn
the scale in your favor. Have you any
idea when the new convert will come
back I heard him ordering fish din
ner for himself yesterday-because it
was Friday. Did you Join him at des-
sert-time, profanely supported by meat ?
What did he say 2"
"What he has said more than once
already, mamma. His peace of mind
is returning, thanks to Father Benwell.
he was perfectly gentle and indulgent,
proposed to pass a week in what he
called retreat. / didn't ask him what it
meant. Whatever it is, suppose he is
there now"
My dear, don't you remember your
sister began in the same way? She
We shall have Romayne
with red nose and double chin offering
to pray for us next Do Won reenlInat
that French maid Of mine, Stella-the
woman sent away because she would
spit when she was out of temper like a
cat ? begin to think treated the poor
creature harshly. When 1 hear of Ro-
mayne and his retreat almost feel in
clined to spit myself. There, let us go
on with our reading. Take the first
volume-I have done with it."
"What is it, mammal
"A very remarkable work, Stella, in
the present state of light literature in
England novel that actually tells a
story. It's quito incredible, l know
Try the book. 1t has another extraor-
binary merit it isn't written by o
woman"
Stella obediently received the first
volume, turned over the leaves and
wearily dropped the wonderful novel on
her lap.
81 can't attend to it," she said. "My
mind is too full of my own thoughts"
"About Romayne?" said her mother.
"No. When 1 think of my husband
now almost wish had his confidence
in priests and retreats. The conviction
grows on me, mamma, that my worst
troubles are still to come. When was
younger don't remember being tor
mented by presentiments of any kind.
Did I ever talk of presentiments to you
in the bygone daysY ail
"If you had done anything OF the
sort my love (excuse me il speak
plainly, should have said, Stella,
your liver is out OF ORDER and I should
have opened the family medicine-chest.
I will only say now, send for the car
riage; let us 20 to a morning concert,
line at restaurant and finish the even.
ing at the play" ia.mf1hWs 2
This oharaetsristic proposal was
sn.arely thrown away on Stella. She
was absorbed in pursuing her own train
o thought.
90 .g. (Io be Cont,nued)