Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-04-06

AS recall now often he thus answered
me, can but conclude that all thought
is audible speech to those who have passed
behind the veil.
"Listen!" his pale face growing even
paler. ~ have not too much of time or
strength, but l must tell you all before
go. So hear me out, l pray you, to the
end. l wronged you once, as l have
said, and this is howl Do you recall the
night when l confided to you that loved
and meant to seek Alma Farleigh for my
wife? ibid l not rememberD You be-
trayed yourself, then, George. / knew
| you too well to misunderstood the mean
ing of that sudden start and the lines
about your mouth. Nayl l was on the
lookout for some such sign! 1 suspected
you cared for herl Knowing her, how
could you help it? But what will you
think of me when l tell you that | sought
you with the deliberate intention of
proving the suspicion correct! My con-
fidence was given with the express de-
sign of seeing how you bore it Does
that astonish you? 1t was only the be-
ginning! Do you remember another
night-the night told you I had asked
Alma Farleigh to be my wife, and that
| l.
IT'D l lied to you. George. l had not
asked her much less had she promised!
| But had discovered-ask me not how
that if you cared for her, SO did she, in
a measure at least, care for you! Nay
hear me out!" as l sprang to my
feet, "let me go on to the end-my
strength is failing. My plotting and
planning went even further and deeper
That lie was meant to put an end to all
your hopes. l wanted next to be rid of
you for time, for the double reason,
lest you should discover the lie, and lest
your presence might, in some unforeseen
way, give rise to my own defeat! For
while you were there-knowing her pref
erence for you, could not feel safe
Superior as you were and are, in every
way how else could it be otherwise?
True, you had given way, and had been
selfish enough to accept your sacrifice.
But that did not satisfy me. l wanted
you entirely out of her sight l argued
that once convinced all was settled be-
tween her and myself, you would then
try to get away as quickly as possible.
And SO it was that, after telling that
damnable lie, l made use of Ben
nett's letter. But even here l lied
again! Bennett never men ~ned your
name. But why waste words! My
plans succeeded; secured my chances,
and had perjured my soul by way of
exchanged 1t was a mad love-a selfish
love-and II have my reward! If l
suffered for it there, / suffer trebly now;
for, ah, George here, a mans evil deeds
follow him like avenging ghosts, and
will not down. Driven by remorse,
am here to make atonement, if l can!
You would have known all this long ago
had you sent me your address. AS it
is, letter awaits your return to l..
1t is not yet too late! Let my confess
sion be of some avail. We see things in
clearer light here, and that you and she
were meant for each other now seems
most clear to mel"
Signing profoundly, and with dropping
eyes, he ceased. What I thought, what
I felt, as stood there listening, and yet
unable to credit the evidence of my ears,
heaven alone knows! Duped, betrayed
by the very man for whom 1 had sacri-
feed my own hopes, and to whom l had
given place! 1t was incredible. And yet
it must be true, for had not he himself
said it, and did not the past, moreover,
confirm it2 l understood it all at last.
My brain reeled under the shock.
paced the room in a tumult Of emotion.
And yet, strange as it may seem, was
not angry. The first and natural feel
ing of bitter wrath and contempt had
speedily died away. Not for an in
slant could l forget that the Lloyd
who was speaking was not the flesh
| T Of
spectral visitant from the world beyond
the grave! Yes, who would previously
have laughed the idea even to scorn, now
felt somehow forced to admit the reality.
Explain this mental conviction cannot
l only know it was 80, and that the I'M
happy Shade before me was really Lloyd
Garrison himself? What could one do or
say in the presence of the dead9 Anger
was equally out of place, bitterness fruit
less, reproaches heartless. For had he
not suffered already?
So l reasoned, watching him mean
while as he stood there. silent, motionless
and detected, upon the hearth. Nor
could l find it in me to upbraid him by
80 much as look! But one thing must
know. l put the question, pausing
directly before him as did so: "She re-
fused you?''
Without even raising his eyes, he
nodded silent assent.
A wave of pity swept over me. The
warmth of the old friendship suddenly
revived and my heart ached for my I'M
happy friend. For that he was intensely,
nay, desperately unhappy was fact too
miserably patent. He had sinned, but he
had loved! And for the rest, what man
is perfectG
Sand you are dead, LloydT" my pity
finding its way into my voice. when
was it2''
"When9" YEARLY, 81 hardly know.
There is no time here. To me it seems
an eternity"
"But how whas it, Lloyd9 Surely you
remember that!'
"This' suddenly turning and barring
his breast. And there, directly over the
heart, was a round, red hole.
"Oh, Lloyd" cried, and in the excess
of my horror and pity, would have
flung myself lIDon him Rut lovd