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

W rmES~T stood IA IL rooted
w to the spot. The
N.X% woman who lived
in the haunted
mill raised her head proudly, and her
eyes were looking into his, so that he
found himself gazing speechlessly upon
the face of that wife whom he had not
seen in all the years that had passed
since he drove her away from him with
curses that were TO be so bitterly repented
curses that were to come back home to
roost-curses that had ever since re-
manned in his memory like plague spots,
and which would not be erased, though
at times they almost set him crazy.
All the fierce power seemed to have
been taken out of the old man at one fell
blow, and he, who had but a minute be-
fore been so full of savage force, now
stood there almost incapable of motion
and drawing his breath in gasps. as It
were, while his eyes, round with wonder
and a vague horror, rested upon that
woman's face.
He could not just then comprehend
the noble sacrifice she had just made for
him.
The burnt mortgage was still smoul-
daring upon the little fire, but he had
completely forgotten it in the excite
ment, still more intense, produced by
this astounding discovery.
He had wronged this woman terribly
in the past, in manner that had shocked
him whenever he thought Of it-for he
had afterward learned that she was as
innocent as an angel, and had searched
for her, but she could not be found, and
the old doubts crept over his mind again,
obscuring it-and in that dread moment
he only saw what a splendid chance for
revenge had come to her
Should she SO desire, she could crush
him with a single blow.
This was why the feeling Of horror had
entered his brain as he stood there, still
clutching her white wrist so fiercely.
Then there flashed upon his mind the
late act and words of the noble woman,
and his eyes almost unconsciously were
turned upon the fire where the document
was still smouldering, though past re-
covery.
His nerveless hand loosened its grasp
upon her wrist, and he staggered back
pace or two.
my wife z he muttered; "my wife
come back to me from the dead2 Oh,
am dreaming. This is some horrid
haunting specter. My wife is dead and
am her murderer"
He groaned with mental anguish, and
1t stirred the woman's heart to its full
depth to hear the man whom she had
never ceased to love, thus exhibiting his
terrible suffering.
"Not so, Lawrence. You see before
you the unhappy woman who was once
your wife. The years have come and
gone since last we stood face to face,
years of suffering to me, and yet have
patiently awaited the will OF Heaven.
Perhaps there may be more in this meet
ing than we either of us imagine"
"Not dead, not dead, he muttered
with hushed breath, as he gazed eagerly
upon her; "oh, then God has heard my
prayer. He has sent you to me that the
last act of my life should be my atone
ment to you. There, see me kneeling at
your feet, with the pride, the cursed
pride that ruined my life and yours, |
trampled down forever. Oh, can you for. |
give me for the past. my wretched mis-
take which | have deplored in tears OF
blood ever since? / know l do not de- |
serve it, but if you could only forgive me,
it would be the act Of an angel. Pity me-
pardon me.
He had sunk at her feet in abiect mis-
cry. His mind was once more cleared OF |
all doubts, and he knew that he was in
the presence of the noblest woman God |
ever made.
She was deeply affected by this evil |
dence of his contrition, and her whole
frame trembled. while the tears streamed /
down her cheeks.
Now she could realize what this proud /
man must have suffered in the days and |
months and years of the dim past, and.
suffering. made no moan. She knew now
that all the time, he had been haunted by |
the demon of remorse, that had we'll
nigh devoured his heart.
The past with its gIe wrong seemed |
wiped out by this repentance o. the
present
"Kneel not to me, Lawrence, for what
sin you committed against me has long.
long since been forgiven. My act OF a
minute ago proves that / have never
ceased To love You. Ask the grea
Muster above TO forgive you, but do no,
kncel 10 me.
''Oh. woman. every word you utter
sinks me into an abyss OF shame. 1 sec
myself a fool. a knave. a brute. am
not worthy to touch the hem Of youl
garment. May Heaven bless yor-snd
forgive me he moaned-
She made him rise. even assisted hia,