Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-10-05
A Bitter Test.

letter from Lee Aunes, which told
her of his love, and asked her for her
own; which told her, too, that for
month she would not see him; but
when April showers had ceased to
fall, he would be able to come to her
and get her answer. Meanwhile he
asked no word, no sign, only kindly
remembrance and a close reading
of her own heart, that would leave
no doubt there when she gave him
reply.
Perhaps it was trife confident
and masterful in tone, but Jessie
Dale did not notice that. 1t made
her very happy.
A step broke her reverie, and
thrustlng the letter into her bosom
she looked up. 1t was Charley, her
impulsive, hot-headed brother, who
was one of her idols.
| ''JeSSle Z!
s'Here, Charley, do you want me?'
81 want you, yes" Her brothers
voice had something in it which made
her heart chill an instant as she left
her seat and went to him.
"Charley," laying a very tender
hand on his shoulder, "you have
broken your promise you have been
drinking"
"OnIy glass with Vennor. Pshaw
I'm no baby, Jessie, and had to
drink it OF I'd never had courage to
come to you on such an errand as l
do"
All tender light of happiness died
from the girls sweet face.
"Something has happened?" she
said. "Tell me at once, dear. 1t
cannot be very terrible, for you
are well, and mamma and papa
He did not know how her thoughts
flew to another, who was more than
kin to her; but, taking her hand In
his, the boy-he was barely twenty
led her to the seat she had left and
placed her in it.
''You know how many times you
warned me against associating with
Bob Vennor, JESSIE" he begun, his
voice slightly tremulous.
~ know, dear. l am sure he will
lead you into wrong. He is not a
good man, Charley, and you were
better before you met him.
The poor fellow broke into sudden,
wild sobs, SO wild as to frighten her.
''Don't, my darling; Charley,
DON'T" she cried, fiinglng her arms
about his neck and holding his head
on her bosom. s'Oh, what is it? !
f never saw you like this, Charley ;
tell me all about it and may be able
: to help you!"
ssI'd rather die p he burst out,
ssand l would die if that could set
things straight. He would have nc
mercy on-on them. They have
borne with everything for me-
, know now what a curse have been
to you all but my heart broke when
o ! knew what sorrow, and even shan e.
i was to come to them yet through
: their only son! Oh, Jessie, if | ha6
died in my cradle they might have
been spared all this p
Charley, what are you saying
This is terrible do not understand
: but 1t is something terrible y
D cit is just this, Jessie: One nigh
a a few weeks ago-you remember how
ill was afterward-I was with Ven
g nor and some of his friends. TheN
+. were very gay, and we had cham
pagne-plenty of 1t. I don't remem
Der anything after the first few hours
n and walked up in the morning in Ven
u nor's rooms with binding head
ache. l promised you after that
y would not drink, and ] did not-til
1t tonight. Tonight Vennor sent 70
L me and / went to see what he want
ed. Oh, Jessie I'd rather die thai
- tell you.
!. He showed me check-a forget
check, sister-for $4,000, which h
s. told me had given him that night il
|: payment of gambling debt. re
II member seeing cards and dice, bu
= do not recollect touching them. H
says / played and lost. He tells m
- his friends will swear l gave tn
n check and | cannot swear [ did not
g The name is the head of our firm, ia
cob Stone. l am felon, Jessie.
du uOOnCu3 VIC are dll uOOulcus uL
e. less you will save u.s.
ID "I" she shrank, trembling vic
lently. 81 have not the money,
,s am but girl! How very gladly
D. would help you you must know, M
g darling. Oh, what have you done
10 Charley?"
g "What | cannot undo,' he cried
then desperately, "Jessie, he say
q he loves you; he will spare us if yo
, will become his wife -
~ ''Oh, my God y it was the cry o
!" one stricken to death his wife Ro
Vennor's wife She had shrunk fror
m touching his hand: she feared AM
;? hated him, and over her young hear
y, lay the letter of the one she loved.
y s'Jessie, / have not asked it O
!, you," the hoy exclaimed; Il do no
ask it, but it is the only way"
If "Oh, had he asked my life-ever.
y drop of blood in my veins-I coul'
p more readily have granted it" wen
I'd shudderinply throuob har mind he