Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-09-19

Grant. You believed him to be wealthy,
the heir to vast estates. Had you lei
him know the truth on your side, he
would never have troubled you about
your daughters hand, for he believed
her to be an heiress.
"Woman," gasped the old man, chow
know you this? l supposed there was
not soulin the world acquainted with
the facts save my lawyer and Lionel
Marsden, to whom the mortgage be-
longs. What witchery Is uhisg Am | to
be ruined by babbling tongue? Surely
Heaven Furnishes me terSibly for that
mad act of the past.
He almost groaned these last words,
and she knew to what he referred, for a
low exclamation fell from her lips.
"When YOU believed that, you were
right. Not soul in the world does know
of the fact but your lawyer and Lionel
Marsden See, Lawrence Richmond, do
you recognize that document2" and
from her bosom she drew a scroll sit is
the paper that takes from you Richmond
Terrace, the home of your ancestors. |
am the one whom it has pleased TO call
herself Lionel Marsden.
He stood there mute, his eyes glued
upon the precious document. All, IL it
were but destroyed, Richmond Terrace
might yet be his. and yet little good it
would be for him to do the deed, for be-
yond a doubt her lawyer had made it Sc
cure.
Mysterious woman, who are you?
What cause for enmity have you against
me that you hunt me down? God has
seen fit to punish me for my great sin /;
but even she, if she lived, could not look,
save with pity upon the wreck Of the
once proud Lawrence Richmond. / keep
up show of pride still, but it is hollow
moelSery, for my heart is crushed within,
and am fit only for the grim reaper.
Death. The past haunts me, and yet /
do not regret it, for / was right. loved
her, oh, my God, how dearly, but she was
false TO me false as Hades, and l sent
her from me.
The old man seemed overcome with
these reflections, and apparently forgot
that there was any one present. His
head had fallen upon his chest, and his
whole attitude was one OF despair
Fancy the feelings OF his lost wife,
standing there in front of him and hear
ing such TRADE from his lips.
1t was very evident that Time, healer
of many wounds, both OF body and heart,
had failed 10 entirely alleviate the pain
that had lain in the breast of this man
who supposed himself to be an outraged
husband.
Love what wondrous power lies in the
word--power TO overturn nations and to
build them up again. Though he had
strong proof OF his wife's unfaithfulness,
and was willing 10 swear that he hated
even the mention Of her name, yet there
we're times when the mask was rudely
swept aside, and he beheld himself as ne
really was.
One little, lingering hope had remained
and by this slender thread he was saved
from utter darkness.
He loved the memory Of what his wife
had once been to him; even while he
hated and cursed that fatal day when
they had separated to meet no more.
Thus it was the recollection rushing upon
him seemed to bewilder his brain. and he
even forgot for the time where he was
There that woman stood with folded
hands, and eyes full Of unshed tears,
waiting in an agony OF suspense. Some
thing Of the truth must have entered her
mind, for she did not botray herself. The
wrongs of the past, endured at the hands
Of this man, arose before her mental
vision, and the sight must have given her
both courage and strength, for she grad
nally drew her form back until from
wistful pleading position, she had as
sumed the attitude Of queen.
1t was strange that Lawrence Rich
mond should stand there, so close 20 her,
and not realize aught that was passing
IN her brain-strange that he should gaze
upon her face. even with it's changes,
and not have the cobwebs OF time brushed
aside by the magic hand Of memory. and |
get his mind was full of a thousand |
thoughts just then, that seemed to mingle |
In fantastic fashion.
49,