Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-09-23

you, and the warm, cheerful tones COM
forted the sad heart of the seamstress.
The lady went up stairs and took the
pieces out of her ivory portmonie.-
There was brief struggle in her mind.
Somehow I've set my heart on this vel
vet cloak she thought, and Edward
viii be disappointed. was going to Sc
lect the velvet this afternoon. But then
there's that dying boy, lying there with
strange faces all about him, and longing,
as the slow hours go by, for the sight of
the sister who loves him, and would not
this thought haunt me every time I put
on my new cloak. After all, my old
broadcloth is not so bad, if it is only turn
ed (; and / am sure l can bring Edward
over to my way of thinking. No, you
must go without the cloak this time, and
have the pleasure of knowing that you've
smoothed the path going down to the
valley of the shadow of death, Mary
Clark And she closed the portmonie
resolutely and went down stairs.
Janet, put up your work this moment
there is no time to be lost Here is
the money take it and go to your bro
ther.'
The girl lifted her eyes a moment, al
most in bewilderment, to the lady, and
then, as she comprehended its truth, a
cry of such joy broke from her lips, that
its memory never faded from the heart
all the after years of Mrs. Clark's life.
George GeorgeP The words leap
ed from her lips, as the sister sprang for
ward to the low bed where the youth
lay. his white sharpened face cleaning
death like from amidst his thick yellow
curls.
He opened his large eyes suddenly,
and flush passed over his pallid face
He stretched out his thin arms, exclaim-
ing, O, Janet! Janet / have prayed
God for sight of you once more before
l died.
His pulse is stronger than it has been
for three weeks, and his face has bet
ter hue, said the doctor few hours later,
as he made his morning visit thrnraeh
the wards of the hospital.
His sister came yesterday and watch
ed with him. answered the attendant.
glancing at the young girl, who hung
breathless over the sleeping invalid.
Ah, that explains it. I am not Ger.
tain but the young man has recupera.
tive power enough left TO recover, if be
could have the care and tenderness fol
the next two months which love alone
can furnish
How Janet's heart 1eaped at the very
words.
That very morning she had an inter
view with the employers of her brother
They had been careless, but not inten
tionally unkind, and the story enliste,
their sympathies.
In a day or two, George was removes
to quiet, comfortable private house, an
his sister installed herself by his couch
his nurse and comforter.
Three years have passed. The shad
ows of the night were creeping alread
> around. Mrs. Clark sat in her chan
Der, humming a nursery tune, to whic
the cradle kept sort of rythmic move
: ment. Sometimes she would pause sut
denly and adjust the snowy blanke
+ around the cheeks of the little slumbel
d er, shining out amid the bright curls
y red apples shine amid faded leaves in o
, tober orchards. Suddenly the door o.
y ened. Sh-sh,' said the young mothe
g and she lifted her finger with smilir
a warning, as her husband entered.
y There's something for you, Mary
Ie 1t came by the express this afternoon
He said the words in an undertone, pl
,e cling a small package in her lap.
,r The lady removed the covers wi
K eyes filed with wonder, while her hu
D. band leaned over her shoulder and watc
to ed her movements.
Or A white box disclosed itself, and l
le moving the cover, Mrs. Clark deserted
I'd small, elegantly chased hunting watC
It She lifted it with cry of delighted ST
re prise, and touching spring the case FL
$. back, and on the inside were engrav
ed the words
in To Mrs. Mary Clark. In token
90 the life she saved
ed '0h, Edward, it must have co me frt
George and Janet Hill,' exclaimed /
so lady, and the quick tears leaped into
If eyes. You know she's been with b
|. / ever since that time, and she wrote
: l last spring, that be had obtained an {
ooflo,zt u;tuaffov1 ae hood rlark N ,