Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-08-14

'tDear, dear Richard! How de-
lighted / am that you have come at
last!"
/ was dumb. My mouth was seal
ed up with the sweetness of her
kisses. | dared not speak lest l
should dissolve the spell.
"We have been expecting you for
four whole days! Only think what
a period of suspense !'' went on the
soft voice of the lady, as, clasping
my hand, she drew me INTERESTINGLY
to pheton in waiting. "There /;
make yourself easy. I'm going to
drive. Isn't it pleasant to be waited
on, Richard?'
The arch brown eyes sought mine,
as drawing up the fur-lined robes,
my companion shook the reins over
the white horses, and we were whirl-
ed away.
''Papa is anxious to see you once
more, Richard; but his rheumatism
is worse to-day, and he could not
drive down. William is absent on
an errand for the bride. But |
would come! | wanted to be the
first one to greet you, dear Richard !
Alice is as beautiful! and so deeply,
beautifully happy Richard, you
ought to be the most grateful man
alive!'
'E-I-believe / am!' exclaimed
1, as, reaching up her sweet face, the
little enchantress favored me with
another kiss, which, this time l re-
paid with compound interest, and
then blushed boiling hot to think of
it.
At this moment the ph8ton stop
ped at the door of fine old mansion
on an aristocratic street, and me-
chanically l alighted and lifted out
my companion. The hall door was
flung open. The clasping hand of
the young lady drew me gently with
in the vestibule-her musical voice
called softly, at the door of a bou-
doir.-
'Alice, Richard has come"
Instantly the door flew open, and
dark-haired, beautiful woman came
forth. She gazed at me an instant
with unutterable tenderness, and then
embraced me, with a mingling of fer
vor and shyness absolutely bewilder-
ing Verify, was a favored indi-
vidual!
An elderly gentleman, supporting
himself by cane, now came forward
and saluted me, calling me his "dear
son. and cutting short everything l
attempted to say by his joyful volu-
bility.
The folding doors separating the
sitting-room and parlor were thrown
apart. | heard the subdued hum of
voices, the rustling of heavy silks ;
and waiting in the allowed arch of an
east window, I saw clergyman in
gown and bands.
The elderly gentleman took the
hand of the dark-haired Alice and
placed it in mine.
''Take her," he said with emotion,
"may God prosper you! We will
have the most important thing first,
and dinner afterward. The guest
are already getting inpatient
l glanced at Alice's dress. 1t was
a bridal white and her beautiful hair
was crowned with a wreath of orange
blossoms.
The sight gave me a tremor.
felt weak aud faint. My pallor
must have alarmed Alice, for she
clutched my arm wildly, and gazed
into my face with painful anxiety.
''What is it Richard? Are you
i'll? Merciful heaven! Helen, look
at him He is i'll p
sit is nothing-nothing !" Igasp-
ed. "Only, cannot-cannot marry
you! II
ooh, heavenp' cried Alice, in hor.
rifed dismay; and seeing she was
about to fall, flung my arm around
her for support.
At this moment the hall door open
ed, and, turning at the sound, 1 saw
with my own eyes, my second sell
enter the room. My exact counter
part! Richard Smith, No. 2.
His fierce eyes took in the scene a
one glance. He rushed toward MI
with a wild ejaculation, and tearing
the half-fainting Alice from my arms
he planted his firm grasp on m.
throat. / put my hand on the sam
locality of his body.
"What are you doing? he thun
dered in my ear.
"What are yon doing?' 1 thun
dered in response.
"Your life shall pay the forfeit !!
he exclaimed, with mad violence
, 1.-THE man who has dared to Wi
Alice Hereford's love shall die p
Gentlemen, interrupted tn
, sweet voice of her who they calle
, Helen, "be patient, there is som
mistake. Which Of you is name
Richard Smith,"
81 amp replied 1.
81 amp replied my counterpart.
stBut which of you is Richar
Smith-the son of Archibald Smith ?
/ 81 am" said my second self,
, ''And l am not" said / "m
, father was named Robert