Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-09-26

into a chair, almost incapable OF motion
The ierce will. the strong frame, the,
seemed withered up by the mad force O
this demon. remorse.
.Oh. Lawrence, thank God for bring
ing us face TO face again. l have with
me proof of my purity, proofs that will
dispel all those terrible charges Of the
past"
Peace, he said, interrupting her; 81
would not look upon one of them for q
kings ransom. Oh, did l not find out
the truth for myself? Has it not been
the consciousness Of this that has pierced
my heart like knife at times, rendering
me almost mad? Wife, wife, / have
atoned in suffering for my sins. God
has punished me well, punished me
we'll"
How she trembled at the mention oil
that sacred namel She was no wife OF
his; the law had come between long
years before. His wife Oh. Father in
Heaven, that would be too much
Eyes" the old man went on, brokenly ;
"a thousand times have / clasped my
child to my heart, and, seeing your face
AL h1lct idiitu hihbto upOl Atf III AAit llbAi
OF you. Heaven bears me witness that
these long years have been one continual
season of bitter repentance. | sought
not gaiety, but when gave up all hope
of finding you, retired from life to brood
over the past, and give myself to the care
of my child. The old demon passion was
not entirely subdued, for when she told
me she loved the man who is the son Of
my enemy, forgot all the past. Oh. to
think, after all my bitter experience, |
had nearly brought ruin on that young
heart, too Often have ! raved in her
presence like mailman, and tried TO
bond her to my will, for which God forgive
me. He must have sent her to you to
bring about this meeting"
81 believe it, Lawrence. What have
suffered shall remain sealed within my
you hear the story from my lips. The
most bitter blow of all came TO me when
/ heard that, in your anger you had APP
piled for, and received, the decree OF di-
vorce-that l was no longer your wife.
lit was false, yes, false as Hades; and
whoever told you that wilfully deceived
you. Inever applied for divorce, never
received one. So far as the law is con-
cerned, you are as much my wife as you
ever were, though the bitter past ear
never be wiped out-neyer and we must
ever remain estranged."
''0h, Father in Heaven, thank Thee for
this mercy. Husband, let Us then try and
forget that bitter past. II has darkened
our lives for many years why should it
shadow our whole future?" And she
stood before him, light shining in her
eyes, and flush upon her cheeks that
had not been seen there for many day.
Lawrence Richmond seemed dazed.
"Do / hear Alright? Are you an angel,
that you can live down all natural feel
ings of outraged innocence in the past
that you can kiss the rod that smote you? !
All what soul is there back of this. a
noble, womanly soul, and am unworthy |
10 receive you. Do not touch me, for | |
have done you the worst wrong man |
could do loving woman, his wife
thrust you out into the cold world. a
though you were accursed. God, in His
struck blow at my heart. |
out He should have palsled my tongue,
ny hand"
Hush, Lawrence. He knew what /
vas best, and it was through His will /
hat this meeting was brought about
Let peace reign between US, and when
Carol comes, she will bless our reunion.
Poor child, she has troubles enough OF
Ter own"
.And / am the miserable author OF
hem; but II Heaven spares me, / win
make the future speak for itself l will.
rom this moment, cast of the miserable
loak that has hidden and almost stran-
He'd what good thoughts were in my
leart, and show new nature to the
World. My poor, wronged wife, would il
70 too much IL dared to kiss your hand.
D token Of this new peace and the for
tiyeness YOU extend to me?"
For answer, the old lady put her arms
round his neck and held up her face for
i'm to kiss. He trembled like an aspen
eaf. and then, bending down, gently
Used her.
The past was healed, the abyss
panned. and, in the future. they could
o forward, hand-ln-hand, down life's de
line. He could make no PREPARATION for
that he had done, bnt it was enough for
er that he had expiated that wrong in
orrow and remorse.
They tell us woman's nature has never
cen understood that it is unfathom-
BILE, and so it would seem.
From this calm and joyous contempla-
ion of the future, they we're suddenly
reused by the entrance OF Carol, in
oars.
CHAPTER XVI.