Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-29
wipe out the happy pact. Pray Heaven

wipe out the happy past. Pray Heaven
you and Roger may never reach that point
where you must part and forget.
An little did the widow suspect that
they had already passed that Rubicon-
that their young hearts had been wrung
with pain such as seldom falls to the
lot Of but few upon earth to experience.
Il loved him." continued the widow,
in low, sad tone. las man was never
loved. / have loved him so truly that l
have forgiven the great wrong he did me
though my pride would never allow ne
TO seek his presence again. Upon the
dear graves in the sunny South / have
shed bitter tears, but when / think how
l shall meet them above, where the
truth will be made known, and my heart
shown to be as spotless as the mar BILE
shaft that marks their graves, / take
hope again"
1t was at this point that the first CLEAN
of light that was soon to overwhelm
Carol. came into her mind. She could
only sit there with all her senses
strained, drinking in the sweet voice q
the widow and await the coming shock.
Trouble and sorrow have been my
lot All l never thought should sur
viye that dreadful night, and many
time since have looked back to shud-
der and feel my heart grow cold with
the horror that took possession of it.
The proof seemed damnable in his eyes,
and he turned deaf ear to my pleadings
my yows-and cursed me; but for
that have forgiven him, for / was inno-
cent
"His curse went home. God punished
him. oh how terribly, and yet at the
same time l had to suffer with him, for
we're they not my darlings? Not one
was left he alone remained TO curse the
blight that had fallen upon his home
the desolation that had robbed him even
as he had robbed me.
why do / tell you this, child? /
hardly know, for ! have never spoken OF
it to a single soul, but there is some
thing in your face-your eyes-that
makes me talk Of the old happiness, the
old pain, and / feel better for relieving
my weary, over-burdened, pain-racked
heart. told you loved him so well
in spite OF all that / forgaye him, but
once my heart came very near rebelling,
and / could have cursed him when l
heard how my dear ones died, but peace
from Heaven came into my heart, and l
forgave him even that. have lived here
for months and yet not once have 1 set
eyes on him, or even heard his name
mentioned by those whom l am occa-
sionally brought into contact with. /
know not whether peace will ever join Us
again, but am willing to wait and leave
il all in His hands"
All this while Carol had been utterly
unable TO speak word, but now she re-
covered her breath.
''In Heavens name, who are you. and
what relation do you bear TO Lawrence
Richmond" she gasped, her eyes all
afiame with eager expectancy.
II was told afterwards that the courts
had made us strangers, but for eight |
years he called me by that dearest name
on earth--wife. ! am nothing TO him now |
save the wretched woman from whom he 4
was divorced, and who loves him still in |
spite of her wrongs; but why do you ask |
Ha your face is white, and your hands |
tremble. You advance toward me-you /
hold out your arms. No; it must be a
dream, for they all sleep under the mag /
nolias. Girl with the eyes and face Of my !
dead Carol, what relation does this man I
bear to you?" and she tore down the hid
den picture, holding it in front of Carols
face.
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