Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

found him standing before the fire with his
face once more in his hands, and as he so
stood, he visibly shuidered.
Mr.. Henry, Mr. Henry" said, this will
be the ruin Of us ALL
what is this that I have done" cries he,
and then, looking upon NE with a counte-
nance that shall never forget, "W hois to tell
the old MANI he said.
The word knocked at my heart; but it was
no time for weakness. l went and poured
him out glass Of brandy. Drink that
said l, drink it down. l forced him TO
swallow it like a child; and, being still
persisted with the cold Of the night, | followed
his example.
at has TO he told, Mackellar,' said he. 1T
must DO told" And he fell suddenly in a
seat-my old lord seat by the cLimney-side-
and was shaken with dry sobs.
Dsmay came upon my soul; il was plain
there was no help in Mr.. Henry. "Well,'
said l, sit there, and leave all to me-" And
taking a candle in my hand, SGT forth outof
the room in the dark house. There was no
movement; l must suppose that all had gone
unobserved: and | was now to consider how
to smuggle through the rest with the like
secrecy. 1t was no hour for soruples; and l
opened my lady's door without 50 much Us a
knock, and passed boldly in.
"There is some calamity happened she
cried, sitting up in bed.
Madame, - said !, Il viii 60 forth again
into the passage, and do you get Us quickly
as You can into your clothes There IS much
TO be done
She troubled me with no questions, nor nd
she keep me waiting. E.e had time to pre-
pare word Of that which | must sly to hcr
she was on the threshold signing re 10 enter.
I y
brave must go elsewhere, for il I'D one Helps
me tonight there is an end OF the house OF
Durrisdeer.'
Il am very courageous SO said she; and she
looked at me with sort Of smile, r.ry pain
full TO see, but very brave too.
1T has come 10 a duel" sad /
- duel.n she repeated ~ duel. Henry
andn-
'And the master, said l. "TuinSs hays
been borne so long, things OF which You know
nothing, which you woo!I not believe If I
should tell But tonight l. went too far, aud
when he insulted you -
"Stop," said She. "Hei Who.'
"OA, madame cried I, my bitterness
breaking forth, do you as: me such ques-
tion' Indeed, then, / may so elsewhere Tor
help; there is none here.'
Il do not know in what l have offended
you, salu she. r OI5lNe me- ldl lit uuu OF
this suspense"
But dared not tell her yet; felt not sure
of her; and at the doubt aud under the sense
of impotence it brought with it, turned on
the poor woman with something near TO
anger.
MADAME" said /, 1--WE are speaking OF
two men; ono Of them insulted you, and you
ask me which. l Will help you TO the an
swer. With one of these men you have spent
all your hours; has the other reproached you'll
To one, you have been always kind; to the
other, as God sees me and judges between US
two, | think not always; has his love ever
failed youi Tonight one of these two men
told the other in my hearing-the hearing OF
a hired stranger-that you were IN love with
him. Before l say one word, you shall an
swer your own question; Which was III
Nay, madame, you shall answer me another;
If il has come TO this dreadful end, whose
fault is it,
She stared at me like one dazzled. Good
Godm she said once, in n kind of bursting ex-
clamation; and then second time, in a
whisper to herself; Great God! In tho
name of mercy, Mackeilar, what is wrong"
she cried. Il am made up; can hear ALL
''You are nol tit to hear, said |. What
ever it was, You shall say frst it was your
fault
OH! she cried. with gesture Of wrinGinS