The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-08-25

from suffering keener. pain, my darl-
ing, than you have endured. Nanlne,
child! will you not try 10 remember
his unworthiness, and TO forget him ?"
"Forget him? Neverl" | sobbed in
my madness. "Go away go away or
shall hate you"
Silently he obeyed Inc. Twas again
alone; but, when the morning broke,
| was concious neither OF solitude nor
suffering, for was ravlng in brain
fever. They thought that would die,
but was young and strong, and grief
seldom kills.
1t was six weeks before l knew any
one, and when l first opened my eyes
to consciousness, 1 saw my young hus-
bands head was thickly streaked with
gray. But as grew stronger l noticed
| in him still Oraatar chan0es. Ever kind.
ever thoughtful, he never obtruded up
on me any attention, nor offered me a
caress. however eight; and oft-iimes,
as he handed me in and out from car
riage, would see shudder pass from
head to foot
"He is learning to hate me-" l said
sadly to myself, aud wondered why the
thought gave me such pain.
We had been married year, and
were wintering in Rome, when one
morning newspaper announcement
attracted my attention, publishing the
death in New York, of Lenora, wife of
Harvey Richings, Esq, aged twenty
four years. A faint cry escaped my
lips. Dexter sprang to my side.
"What is it?'
"Nothing," / answered, and hastily
left the room.
AT the door glanced back. He had
caught mp the paper l had dropped.
Once in my nwn Ohio nnhnr h--;~1 ~
face in my hands to think.
"IIe was free!" What did the news
bring me? The memory of the past
year rose before me = all of Dexter's
fond, loving care, his generous sacrifice,
his unselfish protection; and side by
side with it, the fearful consequences
Harvey Richings' selfish passion might
have entailed upon me. The first
whirlwind of excitement passed,
found myself calm and at rest--aye
happier than since | had been Dexter's
wife.
That evening, my husband complained
of severe pain in the head. sat down
by him with vial of cologne; but at
my first touch he gently drew down
my hand.
"Don't DEAR" he said. 'It hurts
me-"
"Dexter-Dexterp was on my lins
wun you Try 10 rove me just little?
and maybe can atone for the wrong
| have done you," but pride hushcd
them, and they remained unspoken.
Two months after this, at great
ball, found myself suddenly tace to
face with Harvey Riohines. Ho grew
very pale, but extended his hand.
"Will you not shake hands with me,
Mrs. White?" he said.
"Certainly," answered, though
spite of my will the tell.tale blood
rushed TO my temples.
"Iou do not know how / have
longed to see you,' lie went on, in a
low voice--"how have longad 10 tell
you OF all that l have suffered Ma
nine-Nanine! why did you marry?
Think of it, my darling! l now am
free, while you are bound."
He spoke with the fond assurance of
lover.
Why did it find no answering echo
within my heart? Could it be that
no longer loved him?
The tell tale b lood had recedcd now.
was calm and unmoved, save that /
felt Indignation at his words.
Would Dexter thus have spoken 10
another mans wife, though she had
loved him an hundred times? MOI!
And knew il, and gloried in the
knowledge.
81 have no regrets, Mr.. Richings,"
answered, coldly. al owe you my
life's happiness"
Then, with naughty bow | left
him, crossing the room 10 where my
husband stood. With new sense of
dependence and peace, | slipped my
hand within his arm.
"Take me home, please, DEAR" II
whispered.
His brow co ntracted, as If in pain
but he led me to our hostess that we
might make our adieux, and soon we
were seated in our carriage, rolling
homeward.
Alone in my room, when | dismis-
sed my maid, sat waiting for Dex-
ter's step, that might know he had
retired; but two O'Clock struck, and
still he had not come.
opened my door. All was still.
stole in my slippered feet alnng the
dimly lighted hall, and stood without
The library door. At last / summoned
courage, and drew back the portiere.
My husband was sitting wearily in a
large arm chair, his eyes fixed on the
axpiring Goals. How old he had
grownl How this one short year had
changed him. l crept to his side, ere
he turned and recognized me, with
great start.
"Dexter--" l began, timidly, and
lesitated.