The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-03-12
HER ATONEMENT.
BY JENNY WREN.

10 dust" The solemn words were sol
EMMY uttered, the earth thrown upon
the coffln-lid, the mouIrful pageant dis
persed, awed and silent, while the long
craYe veil and bowed head of the young
widow concealed her grief from every
eye. Yet, could she have exposed her
face, there would have been seen only
strange pallor, only dry eyes lowered
to the ground, only her pale lips form
ing one word which kept ringing in hel
heart until II seemed as though she
must shout It aloud-"Free! Freel"
Yet the man to whom the sad fare
we'll duties were being rendered had
given her his last glance Of love and
trust. What that trust had been, how
entire and complete, was proven when
his will was opened and his whole i'm
mense fortune left therein to her free
will and disposal. No conditions marHeG
his noble confidence. To the woman
with whom he had lived two short
years Of unalloyed happiness, he gave
all he had to give freely, generously
asking nothing at her hands in return
only that she might provide home and
support for his orphan niece, and even
this request was made under the seal
of private letter.
Maude Harrison had played well heI
part. When she gave her hand to the
man now dead her heart was another's
but no suspicion of the truth ever
crossed his mind. That she, who stooi
with him at the altar, whose eyes shont
with the fire of love, who lay clasped
to his heart, who pressed her lips tc
his, had perjured herself by her very
vow, was false as she was fair. would
have been beyond his widest dreams Of
fancy; and so, happy in his blindness
he closed his eyes for the last time, feel.
ing that the only bitterness in death lay
in the fact that he must cross the dark
river alone, leaving her sad and desolate
upon the shore.
When Kate Leonard first came home
from school where she had spent four
years and met the young and beautiful
woman whom her uncle had called wife
and, glancing at her own sombei
mourning, recalled the fact that they
both shared the same deep grief, a
plying love sprang up in her heart as
she clasped herne aunt in her embrace
Her welcome was all that she could ask
and while she went to her own room
and laid her head upon her pillow with.
out thought, the older woman sat for
hours opposite her mirror, studying the
face reflected there.
"She is young and lovely, while am
growing old. All, conceal it as I may.
my rs years are leaving their mark.
have no longer tho freshness of 1s
Will your eye detect it, Max? All, my
love, my one only Lowell"
This is my niece, Mr.. Creighton
Mr. Harrison used to speak of her as q
little girl, and you may imagine my
surprise when this tall. stately young
lady was ushered in upon me-"
"a very charming surprise, 1 should
| imagine" was the response, spoken in
rich, musical tones, "as she will prove
SO much more companionable for you,
How very pretty she is" he added
turning to his companion, rs the young
| girl, after standing moment beside
them, crossed the lawn and stopped to
gather some flowers.
do you think so? Rather too child
ish a type Of beauty to suit my taste
However, I am somewhat critical"
"At which no one can wonder. when
your mirror reflects so high stand
ard"
1t was summer, and Mrs. Harrison
was in her beautiful home upon the
Hudson, where was enacted this little
scene. Three years had passed since he
who had amassed for her all this wealth
had beeen stricken down, and delicate
lavenders and creamy laces relieve the
somber hue of her widows dress. Hel
house is filled with guests, but he, tho
latest to arrive, to whom she had eX
tended but an hour ago the hand O
welcome, is honored beyond them all
That he would ever stand beneath hel
roof, accept her hospitality, had been {
PRAYER she never dreamed would NEE
with fulfillment. Yet here he is. Hel
hand was laid in his; his voice, will
none of it's old sweetness gone, assured
her that not yet has he found forget
fitness. And down deep in her yer.
soul the smoldering embers are fanne'
into flame, which burns all the NOR,
fercely because so long suppressed.
Weeks passed, the June roses fade
the July sun beams upon the soil, bu
each day brings new youth and fresl
beauty to the fair hostess.
tits evening, and Max Creighton pace
the rose-bordered walk alone. ciga
is in his mouth. and thick clouds O
feecy smoke rise and encircle the hand
some head. His thoughts seem to b.
happy ones, for in his eyes CLEANS
deep light, and a smile is on his lips,
smile which deepens as he catches sigh
Of girlish form on the terrace beyond
and he quickens his steps until anothe
moment brings him to her side.
"What happy chance has brought yo'
here alone, Miss Kate? I was jus
thinking of you. Do you know that dur
ing this last month I have been learning
moment longing to unburden to som
one-wh1ch soon | should nave had L
: whisper to the flowers and trees, II
had not spied you out; and now will 20
listeH?"
A scarlet flush swept over the girl
fair cheek; flush the mans eye faile
not to note as she answered.:
"In order to save the trees and flow
ers from SO serious responsibility,
suppose shall have to, Mr.. Creighton.
"Nay. I must have willing listener
for I need all her patience. l must G
back long while, Kate-eight year!
Then you were little child Of tel
while was "a; a foolish boy VIII
!. thought himself possessed of all tn
wisdom Of matured manhood-ahl
seems but yesterday!-wheh sue
denly the whole world appeared t
be wrapped in rose-colored cloud