The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-02-08


silver and cut glass for the decoration
of gala dinner table And that rich
East Indian client Of your fathers
coming TO dinner, too"
isn't Minnie any better to-day ?"
asked Angelina, ynwning.
"No, / suppose not; any way, she
won't get up.
"Pshaw e said Angeline, spiteiully,
she's as well as | am, if She only
chose to say so.
your father was saying something
about sending for doctor if she didn't
get better
"Fiddlestcl !" said Msss Angelina
"a doctor doctor, indeed it's only
that she likes lying in bed better than
working. Mamma, what dress shall !
wearY It's great shame that Minnie
can { curl my hair for me.
put on your blue silk, Angelic, with
the white lace trimming; it is so be-
coming to Your fair hair and delicate
complexion These old bachelors are
unaccouutable creatures and there's
no saying bat that he will put the
whole Of his business into your fathers
hands if You succeed in making a
favorable impression.
Accordingly, Mrs and Miss Parker
were attircd in their best that after
noon, rs the door opened and the two
gentlemen came in Mr.. Parker tall
and thin, with green spectacles aud a
cadaverous counterance, and Mr. Eli
OFT portly, brown-faced man, with
fiery black eyes and n mobile mouth,
but partially concealed by heavy gray
mouStaches.
Delighted TO see you, | am sure,
Mr.. Elliott, said Mrs. Parker, sweet
ly, while Miss Angelina couitesied
nearly to the floor Pray take the
easy chair.
Yes yes, II dare say, sputtered
the East Indian, beginning nervous
trot up and down the room; but |
don't want to sit down Parker, do
not keep me IN suspense any longer
Mrs Parker looked at her husband
in surprise MIR Parker polished his
spectacles.
My dear, here's very singular
state Of things very, indeed Mr.
Elliott has been making inqurieg,
since bis return, after au only sister
he had somehow managed TO loose
sight of married against his wishes,
believe and he learns that she died
in this city about five years ago, IN
very INDECENT circumstances
How very sad r. sighed Mrs Par
ker, sympathetically.
Leaving went on Mr. Parker,
a daughter, who was sent to the
Medbrooke Orphan Asylum"
Mrs. Parker opened her eyes very
wide
And who was named NIinnie-or
Mary Grove"
" Minnie Groye!" circulated Mrs.
Parker, in Il sort of scream.
Our Minnie r. echoed Miss Ange-
line.
aud now, interrupted the cho-
leric stranger bringing his foot down
emphatlcally on the velvet tulips and
lilies Of the hearth-rug, want my
niece Minnie. Where is she?
Mrs. Parker stood rooted to the
floor III discontinue and amazement,
while Angelne sank back on the sofa,
not forgetting to be as picturesque as
possible in the midst of her dlsmay
and chagrin.
l say, where is She 2" roared the
East Indian want my niecc"
" She--she isn't feeling very well
to-day" faltered Mrs Parker and
she is up in her own room. i advised
her to rest awhile.
" Then take me 10 her :"
Yes-but I'm not exactly sure
that is, | think she ought to be kept
perfectly quiet, stammered Mrs. Par
ker, thinking Of poor Minne's carpet
less floor, and rickety cot-bed, with n
thrill of apprehension.
/ Perfectly tiddestick l tell You |
UW see my neicc Parker, show me
the way to her room, or I'll find it for
myself
Mrs Parker looked appealingly to
her husband but TINT gentleman s
sharp, legal eve, saw no outlet of os-
cape.
My dear, show Mr. Elliott up, be
said meekly, and Mrs. Parker had no
choice but to obey.
IL was a dismal little attic room,
with a sloping roof, and one dormer
window, half-hidden with high-piled
snow And upon q narrow cot-bed,
entirely alone lay the only relative
that Walter Elliott, the wealthy East
Indian, could claim in all the wide
world.
She did not turn her head as they
entered. Mrs. Parker approached
the bedside with an insinuating voice
Minnie, dear--aro you asleep =
Asleep-yes she was asleep, but it
was that deep, dreamless slumber that
never knows waking to mortal trials or
sorrows
Good heavens r. shrieked Mrs
Parker, recoiliug, she is dead r.
dead T. screamed Angelina
Dead !" sternly repeated Walter
Elliott, growing very pale. Dead !
and in thus hole!"
" 1t cant be possiblel" exclaimed
Mr.. Pa kcr " 1t must be a mistake !"
Ia Al