Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-20

| they both appeared again at the door.
Lydia was this time covered with
heavy shawl as the evening was rather
cool. They took their stand on the very
spot pictured by the mirror and my heart
tesan to throb painfully. could not
quite distinguish the converse ton. but
saw by the clear light OF tho moon, that
! George drew something from his pocket.
l caught the sparkle and saw him place
/ ring on her finger. I saw him draw her
still tighter In his arms and pressing the
fervent kisses on her lips,I almost caugh.
the words OF the last farewell and they
were gone.
After witnessing that sad scene That
was truly noble and exaltng in itself, my
wicked heart became steeled against that
poor girl, and found myself cody laying
nv evil plans to carry out the f1endish
designs OF Mans mirror. On my way
home that scene Of tho we'll doomed up
before my minds eyes, and after retiring
to bed I lay awake for hours ponderins
upon the best way 10 put my scheme into
execution.
ROwELL WENT no WAR.
George Roswell was gone. and with him
went many OF our boys and young men,
n large Of whom would never return. Our
quiet neighborhood seemed desolete and
forlorn to many of It's inhabitants; young
wives had allowed their husbands to
leave them for the uncertain chances of
war mothers had blessed their sons and
with that true Spartan spirit so dominant
among the women OF our young country,
bid them So down in defeat rather than
survive as towards, sweethearts had
parted. the one to carry his love among
the forests Of the northern boundary
while the other would weep desolate 1T
home. began to visit Lydia with daily
regularity once more. but not with tha'
true heart In which l loneed for her
companlonship of yore. ! offered conso'-
alton and sympathy which the poor thing
fervently accepted. listened to her
I warm and sincere eulogies of the absent
ono and soon discovered that the best
balm for a lovesick person is the willing
ness on the part OF a friend to listen 20
the praises bestowed upon the absent. ]
listened and by so doing ! gained Lydia's
full confidence. She asked me to act as
bridesmaid when her marriage took place,
and I. OF caurse, consented. swearing m
wardly that such an occasion would new
CT present itse,I. She told me OF their
plans for the future and how they We're
to settle down on n place not very Far
away from her home and owned by her
father. 1t was more difficult than l I'M
agined to persuade Lydia to leave the
house for ramble: she appeared as X
nothing had interest for her except the
pleasure OF talking about her absent SOL
der. I at last prevailed upon her 10
make an excursion to the hills FOR DlacN
berries, and when I mentioned the Ola
place In the clearing she consented TO ac-
company me. and accordingly. we plan
ned to make our days trip on the ensuing
Friday, This being Tuesday,. Accord
ingly Friday morning bright and early
found us starting for the clearing IN the
forest l had succeeded in giving my
parents, and also Lydia's the impression
that we were going in an opposite dlrec-
ton, and as II in obedience to whlm OF
NINE, we did not take direct course
waiting until We were out OF slSht OF
the house before directing our steps TOT
our destination.
I'VE rived there in good season ana
when the sun reached the zenith we
had nearly filled our baskets; we sat
down to share our lunch. ! had my nor
rible plans lad out with such accuracy
as the crucial moment drew nearer,
strange TO say, ! felt no miss'vinga
whatever. thought and acted as one
with a grand and noble mission 70 per-
form. and was able to act my part OF the
cheerful and synpathizing friend to the
last. While enjoying our lunch / chatted
old folk lore and told stories in which
absent lovers appeared before the mind 5
eye; was eloquent and Lydia was deep
" interested told how, If we could
find four leaved clover and If she sue
ceedei In laying the same in the hollow
trunk of the nearby apple tree While
bundfolded, she would see her absent
lover.
THE DROWNING OF LYDIA.
81 do not believe that Lydia gave this
nonsense more credence than | did my
self. but more out OF a spirit Of mischief
ard fun than from credulity she con-
scented to submit to the ordeal. She was
the one 10 find the clover leaf and she
laughed merrily over the find. declaring
the fortune was already smiling upon
the undertaking. She then submitted
70 be blindfolded and turned her around
rapidly three or four times and faced her
toward the wall. Here We co.. she ex-
lain CO, and with another merry peal
he started for-,Reade., how can | tell
Of my baeeness / allowed that angelic
girl to advance and in another instant,
} with a piercing scream and a wild clutch
! at the top, she plunged to her death, Inc
magnitude of my horrible crime struck
ne as a thunderbo!t. and l sank In a
! piteous heap on the brink and saw her
beautiful form disappear forever beneath
the dark waters OF the deep old we'll
} | know not how long ! was in this con-
d!tion. but was awakened from my fright
, full lethargy by the sound Of a voice, the
} sinister Croak OF which still fingers in
my ears, exclaimins, 'Murderess, muir
6eress,' and as tremblingly arose &c
my feet looked around for my accuser
, and discovered old Nan coming up &C
, me from behind the hollow apple tree?
, She advanced and stopped when her
i wicked old features were but few
: inches from my own and she laid her
wlthered hand on my trembling shoulder
and said Guilty daughter OF the house
of s., thou art cursed forevermore
had sworn to avenge myself upon the
hateful Gipsons, and now they will fee
the weight OF Nan Endmore's wrath, blu;
1t seems TOO good evcn with all my cum
ming when thou. poor idiot, Willin slV