The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-23

approach it again.
Embittered by such relentless oppo-
sition as this, began to consider Hell
ena as forever lost to me, and following
the idle impulse of the moment, l
started upon voyage TO Europe.
Wandering restlessly over the coun-
tries of the Old World for year, at
length received letter from home
which, among other things, spoke Of
the marriage of Helena-. l smiled
bitterly as the name of The husband
caught my eye. The man who was
thus preferred to me was coarse, SEN
sual, and unrefued, but wealthy, and
therefore unexceptional to Judge B.
1t was the very day, if remember
rightly, subsequently to my return to
B., that l was sitting here in my Of
fee, solitary and alone. had as yet
seen hardly single one of my former
acquaintances, and more utterly
wretched and desolate, if possible, than
before my departure, for, spite of my
utmost endeavors, my thoughts were
constantly fixed on Helena. had al
most lost consciousness of external
objects, when light rap upon the
door reached me. There had been an
audible step in the passage, and con-
occurring that my visitant was wom-
an, l fastened to admit her. l was
correct; it was woman, and none 9TH
er than the subject of my thoughts.
"Do not think i'll OF me, Walter, for
coming here. l heard of your return,
and wished to see you, if but for a
moment l am very unhappy"
Her last words were addressed rath-
er to herself than to me, and yielding
to her emotion, she sank into a chair
and sobbed bitterly. Respecting the
feeling which 1 knew she could not
control, and which was momentarily
gaining upon me, turned away until
she had an opportunity to compose
herself.
"My errand here to-day" she con-
tinued, sis to return you this ring. You
will remember it, know. There is no
person to whom could entrust it, and
my husband almost daily demands to
know the history of it. And, besides,
wished to say farewell forever. Good
by, Walter!"
Her hand was icy cold. As l releas-
ed it, she turned toward the door, but
in an instant she tottered toward me-
her face blanched to the whiteness of
death. Had l not sustained her she
must have fallen to her floor.
"Good Heaven, Walterl it is my
husbands step on the stairs" she whis
pered, in thrilling tone. "You know
him; his jealousy is always active-1
am lost if he finds me here. Save me
from discovery, in Gods name-every
| thine 1aDapdo ,pop ~ -
"There in that Closet" | suggested
She entered it eagerly, and closed thu
door.
sit might be left little ajar for air,
l whispered, hurriedly.
"No; close it-lock it'll" was excited
ly whispered back; and l had hardly
Withdrawn the key when Helena's hus
band entered.
"Why, what is The matter?" were
his first words. "You are pale and agi
tated; what's happened?"
Nothing more than the effects o
travelling" was my reply.
The reply was an unfortunate ont
for my unwelcome visitor immediatel,
insisted upon hearing detailed accoun
of my foreign travels. Uneasy ant
restless as / was, was compelled t,
submit, and for full hour my torme Mt
or compelled me to answer his ques
tions.
Meanwhile, was in perfect agon.
of fear and uneasiness. FOLLOWED
every movement that he made, les
some chance clue might betray tn
presence of Helena; and l alternatel,
adopted and rejected thousand expe
dents to rid myself of him. My posi-
ton at length grew absolutely intoler
able; not the least among my thought
was that of the sufferings of Helena
confined in the sitting air of that miser
able closet.
He was gone at last. With thre
strides reached the closet, when tn
outer door opened on my tormentoi
He had merely returned to make som
trivial remark, and again he was gone
Now, however, waited until his foot
falls had ceased to fall ON the stairs
and then again the key was inserte,
in the lock. But could proceed n
further; the reaction of my terribl
nervous excitement of the last tw
hours had overcome me, and leaned
weak and breathless, against the door
The thought occurred to me to call he
name, and accordingly l spoke il
Helena"
1t was in low whisper, and Their
was no response. / repeated it aloud
but no answer came; still louder, witt
the same result. A mortal, dizzy sick
ness overcame me, and could scarcel
force vitality enough to my fingers t
unclose the door. But / did, and locke
in, fearfully, shuderingly. Helena wa
leaning against the wall, her face hid
den in her hands. Again / repeate
her name, and when she gave me n
reply, l placed my hand gently upon he
shoulder. Her whole body yielded t
my touch, and found myself support
ing her in my arms. She had doub
less tainted.
So l thought as l carried her iron
the closet and placed her inert in m
oflice-chair; for not until then had
seen her face. God of mercy what
revelation did that face containl
was white and CHASTITY, every muscl