Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-08-14


ter rose to hurry out of the court. "By
not fighting it you saved cool thou
sand"
Mr.. Greene at that moment did not
care farthing whether he had gained
or lost. All he wanted was to catch the
1880 to Snobton, and all he hoped for
was that Miss Rose Brian would turn out
to be mistaken.
On arriving at Snobton Mr.. Greene
drove first to his half sisters lodgings.
Miss Briar was in. She received him
with a face in which an assumption of
sorrow and pity only accumulated the la
tent look Of JOY. She showed him the
letter The postmark was unquestiona-
bly, Rottenboro
Come with me-" said Mr.. Greene.
'If she denies it III confront her with
you"
"With pleasure" cried Miss Briar,
truth
When they reached Mr. Greene's house
the couple walked into the drawing
room In a chair near the center of the
room Mrs. Greene was seated, looking
very pale and worn. She rose when her
husband entered and gazed at him and
Miss Briar in a startled, half frightened
way.
$50 you're back" said Mr.. Greene in
a harsh voice.
Mrs. Greene cast her eyes down and
made no reply
"Where have you been these last three
days" demanded her husband. sternly.
"Tll-Ill explain Harry" said Mrs.
Greene, in a weak and hesitating way,
"as soon as we're alone"
"She's ashamed to confess before me-
put in Miss Briar, in an exultant tone.
Mrs. Greene was Il woman of spirit,
and this taunt reused her blood
I'm ashamed to confess where was
before nobody She answered holly,
land least of all before you, whom de-
spise. But you know too much about
our private affairs already. and I'm re-
solved that you shall not have another
opportunity Of gossiping about them, as
far as can help it."
But in this case you can't help it,
sneered Miss Brian. Il happen to know
where you We're 1t was who told your
husband. Yes, you have Inc to thank
for that
Mrs Green gazed fiercely at Miss Briar
for moment. Then, turning to her
husband, she said, Harry, will you pro-
tect me against this woman"
"Where have you been these last three
days." demanded Mr. Green again, with
out attending to his wifes request.
Il refuse to answer you while she is
present" replied Mrs. Greene.
You needn't be so particular, my
dear" cried Miss Briar. Il know al
ready where you We're You were at
ROttenboro."
Its false" exclaimed Mrs. Greene,
"absolutely false. Is this her last SLAM
der, Harry"
Where We're you them" asked Mr..
Greene
IF Unjust speak, must" Mrs. Greene
answered. Il was at BraXby, attending
on poor Joe He wrote to Inc last week
that he was i'll, and when you went to
town ran over to see him. He was so
i'll | stayed to nurse him, Dat he grew
worse and worse until-until last night
the poor boy died" And here Mrs.
Greene flung herself back into her chair,
and covering her face burst i,to food
of tears.
The husband stood silent. lost in be-
wllderment and shame. But Miss Bliar
retained at once her GOODNESS and her
boldness.
All aha very nice tale" she said,
with a smile But how did it happen,
Mrs Greene, ify you We're at Braxby, that
your letters came from Rottenboro:"
They did not" cried Mrs Greene, fir
ing up again at the sound of Miss Briar's
voice.
Just look at that" and Miss Brar
handed Mrs. Greene the letter with the
Rottenboro postmark On it.
"That-thatr cried Mrs. Greene, look
ing startled and confused.
YES, pray explain that" said Miss
Briar smiling in triumph.
"Why, that" exclaimed Mrs Greene,
while a flash Of intelligence passed over
her face. why, that is one of the let.
tiers ! gave you to post, Harry
Mr.. Greene was in turn startled. He
took the letter from his wife and looked
at the postmark again, True enough, it
was posted on the 2d inst. the day he left
for London. 1t must be one of the let
tiers which he gave the porter to post at
Rottenboro station.
"How it got posted at Rottenboro |
don't know" said Mrs. Greene. "All
know is that gave it TO you to post
about week ago"
IL forgot TO post those letters" fal-
tered Mr.. Greene, "until found them in
my pocket when | was going to town. |
gave them to porter at Rottenboro sta
ton 10 post for me-" As he said this,
Mr., Greene felt very like fool, and also
very mad at himself for being one.
"Ah," calculated Miss Brian coptemp-
tuously, you are always trying TO screen
your wife. You should be ashamed of
yourself"
Look here, Rose Bliar!" cried Mr..
Greene, delighted to find some one to
vent his vexation on, you have been the
curse of my life since | married, and