Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-19

cruel anguish, from which the patient
came halt or lame or blind for life, bui
what if she should be wrongg What il
the present crablike propensity for the
renewal of the missing part was the
natural and sensible condition. This
wicked woman-this wife who had reck-
lessly thrown aside life's choicest gift
was happy; she had replaced her topped
off limb with new one, and it was well
with her. Norma had said long ago
that ''any woman who trifled with her
happiness because of a scruple was a
fool" Was Norma right? Was her hest
tation senseless, doltish folly?
The boundaries of the moonlight
shifted long irregular cape, like a
shining finger. stretched out across the
floor and touched the hem of her dress.
From behind the screen in the fireplace
came a little sound, as though a mouse
were rustling fragments of torn paper.
If she could only recognize that this
marriage had made difference. 1t was
so wearisome, this strife with a heart
that would not admit defeat, love that
lOuR4b Ol anu hOulu uOt ulC. w hat
was required of her2-nothing; nothing
save to sit with folded hands and let
happiness food her life like sunshine
only to lay away the letter in her desk
and wait silently for her lover to come
to her. Her lover-the man whose in
huence had changed the monotonous
calm of existence into the pulsing pas
sion of living-the man who loved her;
whom she loved. No words were need
ed-only silence; he was so thoughtful
for her, so anxious TO spare her: only
silence, and in little while his arms
would infold her: his beautiful eyes.
heavy with tenderness. gaze deep into
hers; his sweet. passionate kisses burn
upon her lips.
The radiant finger stole softly up her
dress, across her lap and made little
pool of brightness in the heart of which
the letter lay: outside in the doveco te a
pigeon cooed sleepily to his mate.
What was that tale of long ago that
was coming strangely back to her? A
girl, one whom they all knew and loved.
had been separated from her husband
after several years of misery bravely
borne. Her husband had been a con-
irmed drunkard. and in his cups was MS
one possessed of devils They had
5rieved over Clare. and when her hus-
bands brutality grew such that her
brother interfered and insisted on her |
a divorce for the protection of |
herself and her children, they had felt
hat it was right; and while they de- |
llored the necessity, they had sided with
Clare throughout. But when, two years
alter, wedding cards had come from
clare, from some place in the west,
whittier she had moved with her chill
lren, it had been a grieyous shock. for
he drunkard still lived. It had seemed
strange and monstrous thing, and their
Judgment had been severe-their CEN
ure scathing. Poor Clarel She under
TODD her temptation better now. Poor
title Clare!
What was il Jim had said? The men
ad been guarded in the expression of
heir opinion before her; they were fas-
idious in conversation before women.
his he had said in an undertone to
berkeley, but she had caught it, and
aught also the scorn of the hazel eve.
nd knew that the lip eurled under the
rown mustache He had said: "To 4
roman of innate purity the thing
'ould be impossible. There is coarse
ess in the situation which is revolving"
What would he think Of her? She
'as weighing the matter-canvassing
5 possibility. Was her nature deterio {,
lting: Was she growing coarser-less
1re? Would her old friend, whose
andard was so high, despise her.
You'd she be lowered in the eyes of I
lose whose influence and opinions had I
eretofore nodded her lifes The associa- {
ons of years are not uprooted and cast
'ide in days or in months. Response. q
litles engendered by the past environed
n, full grown, comprehensive, insist (
Responsibilities which might be en- I
'ndered by the future. lay in her mind 4
tiny germ in which the embryo life e
ID scarcely begun TO stir. y
The duty to the old life seemed to her
ain and clear: beaten track along a
hich she might safely travel The 5
lty to another life which might N n
ne be equally plain and clear was /
Nv bewildering mist through which a
range shapes passed, like phantasma-
ria. She could not think: her mind c
as benumbed; right and wrong, APP .
Irently, had changed places and com II
ingled SO that, for the time, their v
entity was confused, indistinguishable.: $
e could not guide herself as yet: she "
uld only hold blindly to the old sup y
rts.
The silver finger had lifted itself from T.
r lap and rested on her breast. form .
2 a shining nafhNcav from, hnr. hnnrt n