Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-12-22

brought against Arthur. and his trial
was set for Jan. IS
The first use made of my liberty
was to visit Adelaide's grave. 10 that
sacred place | could best review my
past and gather strength for the fu.
ture, The future. Was II under my
controlf Did Arthur's fate hang upon
my wOrdf ! believed so. But had [
strength TO speak that word? had
expected to; ! had seen my duty clear
ly enough before the sitting of the
grand jury Rut now that Arthur was
Indicted, now that 1t was an accepted
fact that he would have TO stand trial
instead Of myself, ! was conscious of
such recoi from my contemplated ac-
ton that lost all confidence in myself
and my stoicai adherence 10 what
considered the claims of Justice.
trusted Arthur; ! distrusted Car
mel. But she had claims TO considera-
ton which he lacked She was a
woman. Her fall would mean inf
nitely more 10 her than any disgrace TO
him. Even he had seemed to recognize
this. Miserable and half hearted as
bis life had been. he bad shown him.
self man enough not 10 implicate his
young sister In the crime laid to his
charge What. then. was | that I
should presume TO disregard his lead
In the difficult maze in which we were
both lost? Yet because OF the self re,
straint he manifested he had nv SYM
pathy. and | resolved to stand his
friend II saw the case really going
against him. TIL then ! would con.
slider the helpless girl. tongue tied by
her condition and injured enough al
ready by my misplaced love and its
direful consequences.
The only change now allowed my.
self was an occasional midnight stroll
up Huested street This was as near
as dared approach Carmel's windows.
feared some watchful police spy.
Perhaps feared my own hardly to be
restrained longings.
This was before Carmel left with
her nurse for Lakewood After that
event ! turned my head no more In
taking my midnight stroll. | was not
told the day or hour of her departure,
happily, perhaps, for us both. for |
could never have kept away from the
station. | heard later that she was
deliberately driven past the Whisper
ing Pines. though the other road was
more direct and less free. If anything,
from possible spectators. They thought,
no doubt. that sight Of the place
might reawaken whatever memories
remained Of the last desperate scene
preceding her brother and sisters de-
parture for this out of the way spot
They little knew how cruel was the
test or what storm of realization
might have overw helmed her mind as
her eye fell on those accursed walls,
peering from their bower of snow
laden pines. But | did. and | never
rested till learned how she had borne
herself In her slow drive by the two
guarded gateways-merrily. 1t seems,
and with no sign of the remembrances
I feared.
One sentence. and one only. reached
my ears of all she said before she dis
appeared from town.
"1f Adelaide were only going too!
But suppose shall meet her and Mr..
Ranelagh somewhere before my re.
turn. She must be very happy, but
not so peaceful as am. She will see
that when we meet can hardly wait
-for the day."
One incident more before | enter
upon the serious business of the trial.
started one night for my walk at
10 O'Clock instead Of IL. ! went the
old way. and. the old longing recur-
ring at the one charmed spot on the
road, cast quick look at the deso-
lated house which. short as 1t was,
reused feelings which kept my head
lowered for the remainder of my walk
north and to the very moment when,
on my return. the same chimneys and
overhanging roofs came again into
view through the wintry branches,
Then habit lifted my head and paus-
ed to look again, when the low sound
OF human voice, suppressed into
moan or sob. caused me to glance
about for the woman or child who had
uttered this note of sorrow. No one
was in sight. but as | started to move
on l heard my name uttered in choked
tones from behind the hedge separat-
ing the Fulton grounds from the city
sidewalk.
Had the voice issued from this iso
lated point of darkness! / went back
to see. pitiful figure was crouching
there. frail. agitated little being.
ELLA Fulton" | exclaimed. you
wish to speak to mef"
Flush" she prayed. with frighten-
ed gesture toward the house. mo one
knows | am here. Mamma thinks me
in bed, and papa, who is out. may
come home any minute. oh. Mr..
Ranelagh. I'm in such misery. and no
one but you can give me any help.
have watched you 60 by night after
night. and have wanted to call out
and beg you to come In and see me
or let me go and meet you somewhere.
and | have not dared. it was so late.
Tonight you have come earlier. and !
have slipped out and-oh. Elwood. you
won't think badly of me? It's all about
Arthur. and shall die If some one
does not help me and tell me how !
can reach him with message"
She was girl of puny physique and
nervous manner-the last sort of per-
son you would expect Arthur Cumber-
land to admire or even to have patience
with and the very last sort who could
he expected to endure his rough ways
or fnd anything congenial to herself in
his dissipated and purposeless life. But