Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-22

One sunshiny afternoon they were start
led by the sudden arrival of Regy. lie
sought to avoid question and to draw his
mother TO one side, bat Mabel was upon
him
"You have news" she said, her white
face set, her hands firmly Selling his arm
| what is it? Have they dismissed hlmf
"They can never dismiss-neyer harm
him more Mabel was the solemn answer
Some months afterward Mrs. Vincent
received PACKET of papers that belonged
to the late Capt Noel. Mabel had been
sent to Florida for the winter, and was
spending her early widowhood with kind
and loving friends. The consul at Vera
Cruz had written to Mr.. Withers full par
ticulars of his cousins death-one of the
first victims OF the voolito-and had sent
these papers with the formal certificates OF
the Mexican officials. s1r Woodrow, one
of the executors of n. Vincent's estate,
showed singular desire TO examine these
papers. but the widow thought they should
be opened only by her daughter. 1t was
not until then that, with much hesitancy,
the gentleman explained that Mr.. Vincent
had given him to understand that he had
intrusted some papers to Capt. Noel which
that officer had promised to send ut once
TO his old friend Capt. Lane. Mrs. Vincent
could learn no more from him, but she lost
no time in searching the packet.
Within twenty-four hours Mabel was
summoned bone by telegraph, and there
for the first time learned that to her fathers
mariner. for the use of the firm in their
sore straits OF nearly two years before,
Capt. Lane had given the sum of $4,000,
and that among Capt. Noel's papers was
what purportel to be receipt in full for
the return of the sum from Mr.. Vincent,
which receipt was signed apparently by
Frederick Lane and dated July 2. 49,.
But this. said Mr. Woodrow, must be a
mistake; SIR. Vincent had assured him
late in .Iuly that he had not repaid 1t, but
that Clark had his instructions to repay it
ut once, and all Clark's books, papers and
receipts had been examined and showed
that no such payment had been made.
''lt simply means that the very roof un.
der which we are sheltered is not ours, but
that noble fellows" said Mrs. Vincent
and that night she wrote and poured forth
her heart To him. while Mabel locked her
self in her room.
No answer came Then Mr.. Woodrow
made inquiries of the officer at the rendez-
vous. aud learned that Capt. Lane had
gone to Europe with leave OF absence for a
YEAR and there her letter followed him.
She demanded, az right, to know the
truth. She had given the executors to un
derstand that the debt must be paid. il they
had TO sell the old homestead TO do it, She
would be glad to 20 and live in retirement
anywhere.
Not only did she, but so did Mr.. Wood
row, receive letter from distant Athens.
The widow sobbed aud laughed and pressed
her letter 10 her heart, while Woodrow read
his with moistened eyes, a suspicious re
sort to his cambria handkerchief, and an
impatient consignment of all such con
founded quixotic, unbusiness like cavalry
men toto the deuce, by Jupiter and then
he went off 10 show il TO his fellow-execu-
tors
The long summer wore away. Autumn
again found mother and daughter and
Regy at the dear old home, but light and
laughter had not been known within the
massive walls since the fathers death. The
tragedy in Iabel's life coming so quickly
after that event seemed to have left room
for naught but mourning. She has so
aged, so changed, wrote Mrs Vincent, an
one OF the few occasions when she wrote OF
her at all to him, and she wrote every
month. 81 could even say that il has i'm
proved her. The old gayety and joyous
ness are gone, and with them the willful
ness She tanks rnore-lives more-for
others now.
Winter came aylin--the second winter
of Mabcl's Northumberland she was urged
to visit tie Nocls ut their distant home;
but she seemed reluctant until her mother
babe her 10. She was still wearing her
widows weeds, and her lovely face was
never sweeter in her girlhood days than
now in that frame of Grape. OF the brief
of her married life they never
spoke, but the Noels loved her because of
her devotion TO him when not friend was
left. In early March the news from home
began to give her uleasiness; mamma
did not seem WE'LL" was the explanation,
and it was decided that they would go on
rs far as Washington with her, and spend
4 day or two there, when Reginald would
meet and escort her home.
And so, one bright morning in that most
uncertain of months, Mabel Noel with her
and that lady's husband
stood Mt the elevator landing waiting TO be
taken down to the hallway of their hotel
Presently the lighted cage came sliding
rom aloft. Mrs. Lanier entered, followed
by the others. Two gentlemen seated on
1ne side removed their hats, and the next
instant, before she couid take her seat, the
ady saw one Of them rise, bow and extend
his hand to Mabel. saying, with no little
and much excess OF color,
something to the effect that this was
,reat surprise-a statement which her fair
iister-in- law evidently could find no words
% contradict, even had she desired to do
%. Neither Of the two seemed to taiak Of
my others who were present. Indeed,
here was hardly time 70 ask OK answer
questions before they had to step out and
give place to people desiring to ascend, and
hen the gentleman nearly tumbled over
hair in the awkwardness of his aslicu
Mrs. Noel's face was averted as they left
he hall. but ali the more was Mrs. lanier
lesirons Of questioning.
tWho was your friend, MabalY-
And Mabel had to turn or be ungraeious.
Her face was glowing as she answered.
imply:
Capt. Lane"
An hour later Mrs. Lanier said to her