Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-09-24


sion as Justification of all the sinister
accusations. At all events he hau
rushed violently from tho house.
,r-- ..an sui strobe up ana GOWN
this unfrequented green lane. At last
he entered field in which he ana
Grace had otter wandered, and flung |
himself on the turf. 1t was close
summer evening, and while he was
communing with himself-half APP.
plauding. half upbraiding-he fell
asleep. His very emotion had ex.
hausted him.
You know, my dear Mrs. Tregon-
ming, you have all my sympathy. l
cannot tell you how | deplore the I'M
fortunate business. had not believed
that Mr.. Tregonning could have be-
haved with such callousness.'
Richard Tregonning awoke with n
start as these words fell on his ear
For the moment his faculties, not yet
quite under control, he imagined he
was dreaming. He wondered how his
wife could be there. but instantly re-
called the fact that he was near her
fathers house. But who could be
talking to her thus-in tones he in
stinctiveiy felt to be untrue?
"Of course. my dear, when you mar
red Richard Tregonning. l only
thought you did it because he was
able TO provide a good home for your
boy-because he was good CATCH
Good heavens. this was the very
language of his letters; Was he now
about to receive confirmation of all
his harsh fears and doubts? He re-
manned in his PROSTATE position, intent
on every word.
A moan, all the more painful be-
cause of the effort to suppress it-a
moan of anguish-had escaped his
wife.
"Of course" went on her companion.
you remember that you contided to
me that, though you respected him, you
did not love him. You We're in doubt
as to whether you should accept him.
Indeed, l thought you cared more for
Malcolm Barrett
Another moan fell on the ears of the
distraught man. Why should his wife
ue tortured mus: Resentment pos
sessed him even as he thought of his
own fancied wrongs. And who was
this woman? Why, it must be Helen
Gilbert-Helen Gilbert, whom his
father once wished him to marry, and
who told him that her own uncle had
already limited that he would look with
favor on the match; Helen Gilbert, to
whom for while, knowing his fathers
desire. he had paid considerable at
tention. Her accents did not now ring
true-they We're cold, rather than
warm, pitiless, rather than sympa-
thetic. How strangely she was cor
roborati ting his anonymous correspond
ence!
However" pursued Miss Gilbert,
barking her gibe, Il do not see why
you should be so cast down and hurt.
He has provided for you and your boy.
What more could you want? That,
dear, was all you sought"
Strange" again thought Richard
Tregonning, how faithful Helen Gil
bert is to the language of the anony-
nous letters. She uses not only the
same sentiments, but the very same
language
AT one time" ran on the lady, her
tone more insinuating, but more re-
pellant, Richard Tregonning directed
his attention IL me. l rebuked him;
like you. my dear Mrs. Tregonning. l
could not bring myself to care for him.
But, of course, was not widow and
mother. and had not upon me the
necessity to find home. After my re-
buke of him heard of his attentions
to you, and was sorry, but when you
said you did not care for him l was
treasured. l thought no serious harm
would come. and that you would lead
your life, and he his"
, The man was about to leap to his
feet. but restrained himself once more.
His wife was now speaking, and in
indignant tones.
r "Who has done this cruel thing don't
, know. 1t is true. I did not care for
Richard Tregonning as ought to have
e done when he proposed to me. Yes,
e ought to have done, for truer man
e never lived. At least, l cared for no
j other, certainly never for Malcolm
{ Bartlett. But his goodness, his kind.
+ ness, his sympathy have made me more
i than love him. Who has been SO
+ wicked as to do this wrong to me? Oh
Richard, Richard"'
t MY dear Mrs. Tregonning, you must
= not give way to these transports. AZ
IS ter all, is he worth it, Richard Ire
:. coming started at this brutal com
s. ment upon himself. Perhaps his go
t. ing away was but another act Of
Y treachery. Remember his attentions tc
II me ere he sought you! No, don't be
d lieve he is worth your tears
,r Miss Gilbert. l don't know wha
d right you have to say this"-his Wife
m voice was now almost firm-"but l d.
u 8 know that Richard Tregonning coul,
never be guilty of treachery.'
n
There We're two calculations. On
ct came from Miss Gilbert, the other from
d. Dick Tregonning's wife.
I? Forgive me, dear! Come home.
re said Dick, very brokenly, very entreat
?" ingly.
lg "Oh, Richard! Richard"' This wa
IS the happy woman's answer.
IL mfr. Tregonnlng," exclaimed Mis-
Ill Helen Gilbert. "are you not ashamed o
Up yourself:"
eel Yes, Miss Gilbert, am-ashame
Of my folly in believing the writer
ed know her now-of those malignant lei
st ers."-New York Weekly.