Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-21

gown. She nodded to mo Il was watching her
from the doorway, and smiled quite happily.
| was as proud Of Lettie as ever my mother had
been. She was always such clever, warm
hearted little thing for all her high temper.
When she was fairly gone, and the church
bells ceased, dressed myself in haste, and set
of into the town to see DR.. Nash He was at
home, and his man showed me into the surgery,
where had to wait may be an hour. When
the doctor came in, he asked sharply why
could not have put off my visit till Monday;
was my business so pressing! He did not con-
slider how precious were .he work days to US,
or maybe he would not have spoken so--for he
was benevolent man, as we had every reason
to know he having attended our mother thro'
her last illness as carefully as if she had been
rich lady, though we could never hope to pay
him. l explained what had come about, and
he soften then, but would not alter what he
had told Lettie himself
She has been with me three OF four times"
he said "She is an interesting little girl it
is great pity, but do not think her sight can
be savcd-I don't indeed, Jane"
He explained to me why he was of this opin-
ion, and how the disease would advance, more
lengthily than needs to be set down here. Then
he said he could get her admitted into the Blind
Institution if we liked and that must keep
her well, and send her out of doors constantly.
And so went home again, with very little hope
left, as you may well think, after what had
heard.
did not tell Lettie where I had been. and
she never suspected. There was no chapel that
afternoon, and we were getting ready to take a
walk along the river bank, as we generally did
on fine Sundays, (or all the town went there
and it freshened us up to see the holiday people
far more than if we had stopped at home read
ing our books, as many say it is only right to
do.) when ono Of our neighbors came in with
her son Mrs. Crofts was widow, and Harry
was studying medicine with DR. Nash They
! were both kind friends Of ours and between
Lettie and the young man, there had been for
ever so long, a sort of boy and girl liking; but
do not think they had spoken to each other
yet Lettic colered up when Harry appeared
and went into the garden to show him, she said
the white moss rose that was full Of bloom by
the kitchen window but they stayed whisper
ing over it so long, that | did not think it was
only that they were talking about Then Har-
ry went out ut the gate looking downcast and
with o queer wild look in her face that | did
not like. Mrs. Crofts said, " Is Harry gone ,"
and my sister made her short answer, and
went into the bedroom.
Harry is going up to London very soon |
shall be glad to have the examinatian over and
him settled. Dr. Nash thinks very well of him;
he is a good young fellow, Jane" I replied
that he had always been a favorite of mine, and
| hoped he would do well but, listening for
Lettie's coming to us, perhaps seemed rather
cold and stiff; for Mrs. Crofts asked if was
not we'll, or if there was anything on my mind
so told her about poor Leltie's sight.
live seen no appearance Of blindness; Ilar-
ry never said q word. You don't think it car
be hue!' she asked. did not know what tC
think. was sure that, in that whispering ovel
the rose tree, my sister had told young Mr.
Crolts and | wished his mother would &C
away that might comfort her At last sh
went. Then | called to Lottie, who came a
once. She had been fretting but, as sire tre(
to hide it, made no remark, and we went dowr
the lane to the river meadows in silence. Th
first person we met was Harry Crofts. Letti
seemed put out when he joined us, and turne,
back. She stayed behind, and was presently ii
+ company with our landady, Mrs Davis, VIII
4 was taking the air in little wheeled chai
drawn by footman. Mrs. Davis had alway
noticed Lettie. Harry Crofts looked back one
g or twice to see if she was following; but, whel
q he found she was not, he proposed to wait 70
her, and we sat down by the water on u tire
trunk which lay there.
: "This is Il sad thing about Lcttie's eyes
= Jane,' he said suddenly.
o Yes it is. What do you think about them
q Is there any chance for her A."
"Dr. Nash says not but Jane, next wee
. Phillipson, the best oculist in England is con
. ing to stay couple of days with Nash. LIE
him sec her -
. :" meant to try to get her to London for az
h vice."
~ There is nobody SO clever as Phiipson.-
10 Oh, Jane, wish had passed."
;. "Do you fancy you know what would cur
! hcr?"
"Fd try. You know, Jane, l love Lette =
| meant to ask her to be my wife. did as
i her this afternoon, and she said No and the
old me about her sight--it is only that
know she likes me: indeed, she did not try t
y deny it,
10 "Yes, Harry, you have been SO much togett
10 er; but there mast be no talk of marriage"
J. That is what she says
3 "Shc is right--she must stay with me Yo
IS could not do with blind wife, Harry you,
u young man, with your way to make in tt
n world"
He tore upa handful of grass, and flung
upon the river, saying passionately, "Why,
at all the girls in Dalston, must this ailiction "a
sh on poor Lettie! . and then he got up and wall
he ed away to meet her coming along the bank
~ They had good deal of talk together, whic
l. did not listen to, for their Young hearts wei
he speaking to each other, telling their secrets.
a Lettie loved him yes, certainly she loved hin
~ DIR. Phillipson's opinion was the same as tn
'm of DR.. Nash. Lettie was not so down-strick
to as dreaded she would be, and she bade goo
- bye to Harry Crofts almost cheerfully when
nd D..