The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-30

horror.
"Great heavens" he cried, falling on
his knees at Johns side, ~ have killed
himl"
Half frantic at his own violence, he
summoned aid, and John Cunningham
was taken home, not dead, but seriously
injured.
Harry told straight story, and the
law had its course. He was placed I'M
der arrest, to await the result of Johns
injuries.
From the prison he wrote note to
his sister.
"Dear Lila" he said, ~ did not obey
your injunction, for 1 could not keep
my hands off Cunningham. The
thought of you made me forget your
earnest prayer that would not modest
him. knocked him down, and l fear
he is fatally injured. Forgive me, and
break this to mother as gently as you
can"
"Half an hour after this note reached
her, Lila left the house with face that
was white as death, and eyes that were
Swallowed by dark despair.
at was not to her brother in prison
that she went first, but to John Gun.
ningham who lay back upon bank of
pillows, pale and suffering.
"Is he going to die?." Lila asked,
with ashen lips, as the doctor passed
her in the hall.
"No," the doctor answered, gravely;
shut his back"
"Broken?" she gasped.
''No, not so bad as that; but it's an
ugly sprain. 1t may be months"
Lila heard no more. She had dashed
past, and was kneeling down beside her
lovers bed.
"John, John!" she sobbed. 81 am
80 sorry"
AS he opened his eyes a slight spasm
crossed his face.
Against his will the look of love came
back, and he murmured:
"Lilal"
Her arms were about him in an in
slant.
John, dearl" she cried, burying
her face in the pillows, while she shook
with convulsive sobs, "you did not
mean it, did youp"
"Did you mean it, Lila?" he said,
gravely.
"Did mean what?"
"What you said to Mr.. harrington
last night. l was in the hall, Lila, and
heard you.
John, you are certainly dreaming.
mo-" he said, turning away his
head, with a look of pain. 81 meant
to surprise you, and l slipped into the
hall. II heard what you said about
me. l saw Farrington's overcoat on
the rack. Oh, Lila! why did you de-
ceive me?"
"John," she said, impressively, 81 do
not understand word of this!''
"Thorndyck harrington called upon
you last night, Lila"
"He did notl'
81 saw his cane and overcost in the
hall!"
"Johnl' she cried, with a sudden
inspiration, "did that mislead you?
That was his hat and overcoat. He
and Harry went skating night before
last, and Harry got into an air-hole.
You have misjudged Thorndyck, John.
He saved Harry's life, and because
Harry was all wet he loaned my broth
er his hat and overcoat to wear home.
AS for the cane, he made Harry pres
GU vi tuaI week ago..
"Then he wasn't at your house last
night?" John said family.
"No; l have not seen him since you
went away"
"But heard you say"
"What did you hear, John?"
"You said, John is so fearfully ieal-
Gus. L don't know what to do with
himl' You said more, too. don't re-
member the words, only you declared
that you were going to break off your
engagement with me, and"
A joyous laugh rippled from Lila's
lips, but she checked it as she remem-
bered Johns condition.
Dearest" she whispered, bending
over him till her soft cheek pressed
against his bearded one, 81 was read
ing aloud. l will show you the book
in which those very words occur.
Harry took cold in spite of all precau-
tions, and the doctor ordered him to
stay in the house. 1 amused him by
reading aloud last night. You forgot
that l was teacher of elocution. Like
Mr.. Orator Puff, 1 have two tones to
my voice. One is up, so, the other
down, 30. Oh, John, dear Johnl Did
you really think was saying all that?"
"Of course l didl" he answered,
TREMENDOUSLY, and then he folded his
arms around her, while his tears wet
her glossy hair.
Darling" she said when she had let
him hold her there in silence for long,
long time, "never doubt me again, no
matter what happens"
81 never will" he answered, SOL
EMMY. 81 ought to have gone right to
you for an explanation. My jealous
nature made me the easy victim of a
mistake. Oh, Lilal If had lost you
by my own precipitancy!"
"What if had lost you'll" she said,
with shudder. "And Harry, through
your DEATH"
"Thank God, there is no danger of
thatl l shall get well, the doctor says,
and-and, Lila, l wish you would bring
Thorndyck TO see me-"
Harry was discharged, of course, and
at the end of two months, John was
able to be about. Meanwhile, he
changed his opinion of the cashier of
the First National, whom he allowed
to walk home with Lila whenever dis.