Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-01-02

grow tired of waiting to become my
widow
"Don'l!r she implorcd, and turned
her face that he might not see the
moisture gathering under her dark
lsshes.
II was Christmas eve again, with
streaks of crimson sunset burning be-
hind the Norway frs at Brockholt, and
lights already shining in the stone
tower. Along a frozen walk, under
the cvergrccu-boughs, Esther Brock
holt. wrapped in furred mantle, was
pacing along. softly humming to her.
self the lines of Christmas hymn.
At the end of the darkening walk q
man stepped ont from the shelter of a
fir-tree, and tried TO take her hand.
esther" said Godfrey Argent,
..pray speak civil word TO me"
She started back in sudden fright.
Coward trailor.' she cried, in
dignantly. GLOW dare you come here
again."
lie hung his handsome head.
Necessity knows no law, Esther.
Ny debts must be paid, and, unforiu-
naiely. Adam is the only person 10
whom can apply for help. Heaven
knows | had no wish 10 enter Brock
holl while YOU remained here. I've
been skulking about the grounds for
an hour-actualy afraid TO approach
the house. Adam still exists, ! sup
pose, for ! have received no notice of
his death. and you do not wear wild
ow's weeds. Just powers! are you
not growing little tired of that gal
vanizcd corpse, and its tenatious hold
on earthly things? could curse my
self for the past, us | look at you!
Remember, hardly more than a year
ago, you were ready TO die for me"
A man dccended terrace under the
stone tower, and approaching the two,
laid hand on Agents shoulder.
~ have been waiting for You, Geof-
frey" he said. 81 knew that Christ
mas would bring You back 10 Brock
holt. Look at the galvanized corpse,
my boy, and tender it your congratu-
lations."
Argent looked and groaned. He
saw restored Brockholt, strong and
erect of figure, with a bold, bright
glance, and dash of healthy red in
his check.
ain Heavens name, what have YOU
done 10 yourself?' stammered Argent.
Brockholt made gesture toward his
wife.
.Bchold my curel" he said, smiling.
Then, with sudden gravity, he bent
and looked in her pale, beautiful face.
II am glad we three have met here
tonight, Esther. For year you have
been my wife; for year have loved
YOU madly, silenily-for how could l
talk of my passion while the shadow
of this man stood between us? ] have
also carried in my heart load of fear
and doubt. In Gods name, lift it now
tell me the truth-what is Argent TO
YOU. what relations have you borne
him in the past!"
His voice vibrated with passion and
pain.
She met his gaze without flinching.
IL would have told YOU BEFORE" she
said, ..bmt feared you might despise
me. and ! could not bear that. Your
cousin was pupil at nv fathers
fencing-school. We loved each other.
When was left orphaned and penni-
less Godfrey Argent urged me to marry
him. Time and place were appointed
for the ceremony. | waited in vain
he never came"
.'Blame my empty purse, Esther,"
groaned Argent. at was impossible
for Inc to burden myself with por-
tionless wifcl
IL was mad with modification and
she went on, calmly.
II ran to the river and cast myself in.
II was Daddy IIagan who drew me out.
From that episode originated his story
Of rescning Inc from the grave"
Forgive me, Estherl" implored Ar
gent. II did love you desperately; |
would have married You, but for my
poverty
She gave him pitying look.
s.On this dear night of peace, aciH |
forgive yon,r she answered, gently; |
,and il is no hard matter, Godfrey, |
for with all my heart | now rejoice
hat you forsook me at the church
ioor!n
Adam BrockhoIt snatched his wife
% his breast.
"Your loss is my gainl' he said TO
lis cousin.
True acknowledged the other,
"IIad kept faith with her,
iou would have been in your grave
his Christmas-eve and l master of
When Yule-tide came round again,
Argent did not make his yearly visit
o his cousin. Departing from that
custom, he sat in city
lotcl. and read in daily journal the
of the birth of a son
= A l.. ~