Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-06-06

the cold would not let her sleeP--but she is warm
now. The money you gave me bought this!'
and she laid her hand upon the blanket, and look
ed into his face with an expression of gratitude
which made Faulkner draw his breath with I'M
wonted rapidity, while a thrill OF pleasure sent
the blood to his cheek and an unusual moisture |
to his eye.
Several minutes he stood contemplating the
slumbering woman, for the young girl made no
attempt to disturb her rest At an involuntary
movement of Faulkney's the closed lids quivered
and slowly opened A look of terror convulsed
the woman's features at the sight Of the stran-
ger standing by her cot
Grace. where is Gracer she almost shrieked.
BY your side, mother, replied Grace, softly;
and then, bending her head close to her moth
er's, she whispered few words which explained
the appearance Of so unusual a visiter.
The mother seemed scarcely satisfied. She
looked at her child inquiringly and at Faulkner
almost with dread The latter turned to the
young girl as though appealing to her to relieve
his embarrassment.
I'VE have not thanked him, mother said
Grace, half responsibility
oh, want no thanks---don't mention it. A
little present from friend---only trife; and he
dropped the we-6llel purse, which he had agit-
atedly drawn from his pocket, upon the bed.
He was turning away hastily, but Grace seiz-
ed his hand, and her face streaming with tears,
pressed it between her own icy palms and said
I oh sir, you have saved my mother. God will
reward you And then, as though ashamed of
this burst Of emotion, she hung her head, and
covering her face with her hands, wept in silence.
Faulkner was too much unused to such stu
atoms to know how to act: he twirled his hat
with an air Of indecision for a moment, then
bowed to the mother who, leaning upon her ell
bow was steadfasty regarding him, and he with
drew.
A thousand thronging thoughts gave activity
to his brain as he walked homeward.
He had built thousand castles in the air be-
fore he reached the Astor, and again and again
pictured the little street-sweep and her mother
in an elevated postion---healthy- -happy---pros-
i perous--through his exertons Since the days
Of his boyhood his heart had not beat so lightly
nor his spirits been SO buoyant.
That night, sweet sleep and Sweeter dreams
visited Faukners pillow Immediately after
breakfast he took walk, in the hope of seeing
Grace at her usual post. Her little companions
we're there, but she was absent He hurried to
the house whittier she had conducted him the
previous day. 1t was empty-the cot was gone
the old box was all that remained to assure
him that he was not mistaken in the room.
Disappointed and almost COMPOUNDED, he left
the apartment through door which opened into
an entry and walked up stairs to seek some one
whom he could question concerning Grace and
her mother. He encountered an old woman up
OIL the stairs. To his inquiries she replied
Lord bless you sir, they took themselves off by
daylight this morning. Poor enough they are,
but they paid the rent down. | believe it was
something about wild young man; and the
mother thought it best Grace should not be in
his way, for she's handsome girl, sir; that's the
short and long of their going off SO sudden like.
} Faulkner had not the heart to ask another
Question. Disappointed in the first scheme with
which he for years had endeavored to occupy
himself, he returned home sad and weary,