Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08
Two SOLDIERS.

sorded her no answer. She felt very sure
Of your friendship, and she was at loss to
understand your silence. Although had
only met you once or twice before felt
that knew you SO well that you could not
refuse to answer Ia letter from so lovable
woman as she, and / deemed it my duty to
let you know what she had told me. | am
very glad now that did So"
sIs she at homer as ked Lane, eagerly.
'sShe was when left, but they were ex-
pecting to go to the mountains Mrs. Noel
seems to be dropping a little. The weather
is very warm there already, as you know,
and the doctor has advised that both ladies
go up to Deer Park. Mrs. Noel doesn't
wish to go, as it takes her so far from her
husband; but, as he was able to get there
quite frequently when they were there be-
fore, 1 see no reason why he should not be
able to join them every week now.
"ITas he there frequently when they
were there before" asked Lane, an old,
dull pain gnawing at his heart.
''IIe was there three or four times to my
knowledge during our stay, bat of course
his visits were very brief; he came general
ly Saturday and went away at midnight
Sunday"
II will go and telegraph to Mrs. Vincent.
If need be | will go and see her; and l
thank you very much. Miss Marshall"
That evening he received dispatch from
Mrs. Vincent in response to the one sent
almost Immediately after this converse
ton. "If possible, come here. / greatly
desire to see you. Wire answer" What
could it mean9
BY the first train Cd the following morn
ing he left for New York, and was far on
his way to the Qaeen City when sunset
came. Arriving there, he went first to the
old hotel, and after changing his dress
and removing the stains Of travel, for the
first time since his memorable visit of Oc-
tober he mounted the broad stone steps
and asked to see Mrs. Vincent. She came
down almost instantly, and Lane was
shocked to see how she had failed since
their last meeting Years seemed to have
been added to her age; her hair was gray;
the lines in her gentle, patient face had
deepened. She entered, holding forth both
hands, but when she looked into his eyes
her lips quivered and she burst into tears.
Lane half led, half supported her to a
chair, and, drawing one to her side, spoke
soothingly to her. For a few moments
she could not speak, and when she did he
checked her
'Oh, you too have aged and suffered
and it is all our doing-all our doingl' she
moaned, as her tears burst forth anew
"Never mind my crows feet and gray
hairs. dear lady" he said at is high time
began to show signs of advancing are
Then, too, am just up from siege of
mountain fever
'Was that the reason you did not an
swer?" she presently asked
81 never got Your letter, Mrs. Vincent
When was it nailedg"
about the 10Th of May tremember it
well, because-it was iust cfter Mabel and
Capt. Noel got back from their tour"
pardon rae, but did you post it your
self"
mo. The postnan always takes my let
tiers. leave them on the listle table in the |
yestibule.n
'fWhere any one can see themy"
-'Yes; but who would touch my letters?" |
Lane did not know, of course. He was |
only certain that nothing from Mrs. Vim |
cent had reached him during the past six
months.
capt. Lane" she said, at last, 81 want |
you to tell rae the trutl. just after Mabels |
marriage heard n story was in circulation |
to the effect that it was your money that |
enabled Mr. Vincent TO tide over the crisis |
in his affairs year ago. It was even said |
that you he'd sold property ct a loss 20 sup |
ply him with means; and some people in |
society ere SO cruel % to say that ,Iatels |
trosseau was actually purchased with your |
money, because it had never been repaid. l |
know that Mr.. Vincent oftenSpoke of his
obligation and gratitude to you Tell me |
truly and frankly, Capt. Lane, did you
give my husband money! Is this story
truesn
1T never gave Mr.. Vincent a cent"
"0h, am so thankful We have been
the means of bringing such sorrow to
your
Il beg you, make no reference TO that,
Mrs. Vincent Neither your honored hus-
band nor you have / ever thought in the
least responsible. And as for this other
matter you have been misinformtd"
''Tyhat cruel, reckless stories people tell
1t hurt me terribly; and then when no an
swer came to my letter | felt that probably
there was something in it, and that you
were hiding the truth from me Mabel
heard it, too, but she said that Capt Noel
investigated it at once and found that it
was utterly false. could not be satisfied
until had your own assurance"
"And now You have it, he said, with a
smile that shore on his worn face and
beanled about lis deep set eyes like sun
shine after April showers. You are going
to be advised now, are you not, and seek
change and rest in the mountainss"
Eve meant to go this week, but Mrs
Paterson, OF Philadelphia, is urging us to
spend the summer with her at the sea
shore, whore she has q roomy cottage She
is cousin Of Capt. Noel's, and was an init
mate friend Of Mabel's ct school That
was where my daughter first heard of him
Oh, wish-I wish"-
And here once more Mrs. Vincent's tears
poured forth, and it was some time before
she could control herself.
At last the captain felt that he must 20.
It was now his purpose TO leave town as
soon as lie could attend to one or two mat
tiers Of business.
shall ] not see you againsn she asked,
as he rose to take his leave
81 fe2r not he answered. eThere is
nothing to require more than an hour or
two of attention here, and then Ishall seek
a cooler spot for few weeks rest, then