Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-07-26

| swear ner honesty. Her nrSt ACT on
Monday morning was to 60 to the
counting room, and explain the mis-
/ take. 1t was yet early when she ar
rived, and no one was there but Mr..
Templeton, who, engaged in reading
the morning paper, did not notice
her entrance until she spoke:
"There has been a mistake made
in my quarterly account" she said.
sickness compelled me to be absent
from my work five days last week,
and there has been no deduction made
in my wages-there is the balance" !"
And she laid down the note before
him.
'I was not aware of this" was the
answer; "Mr. Granger keeps a rec
ord of all absentees. We are all IL
able to sickness. Good morning."
And he forced the note into her hand,
and bowed her from the room before
she could offer a single word of OBJ.
lection.
That afternoons mail carried all
the ready money which Miss Burns
possessed to Steele-her second pay
ment on the mortgage Of Elmstead.
The next morning telegram was
handed to her:
Freddie Burns is sick. The doc
tor has no hopes of him. Come home
Immediately. Your PARENTS.
This was all. And she-she-oh,
heaven !! had no means to defray the
expenses of her journey, and no pros
pect of anything until next quarter
day! And Freddie was ill-perhaps
dying! Dear little golden-haired,
blue-eyed Freddie! He called for
her, no doubt-wept for sister Nettie
to hold his fevered head, and moisten
his burning lipsl
1t was long, lonesome forty miles
to Farmingdale, but there was no 9th
er way. But she must hasten-not a
moment was to be lost Maybe even
now her darling was lying cold and
pul8eless in his last sleep. She clasp
ed her hands in Eagony, and hurried
down the path to the factory. At the
gate she met Mr.. Templeton. She
stopped instantly and addressed him :
q want leave of absence" she said
abruptly. my only brother is dying,
and / must 60 at once. | have just
learned this, and have no time to
give the proper notice"
Mr.. Templeton was startled. no
less by her tone than by the wild pal
lor of her face.
"Where does your brother live p
he inquired.
"In Farmingdale." "
'Eery well; | will speak to Mr.
Mayfeld about it
Sir, don't delay a moment! Every
second lessons my chance of seeing
! him alive =
True. But the train for Farming
dale does not leave until half-past
two, and it is only seven now. There
is ample time. You 90 in the cars
of course p
A burning flush swept over AZ
nette's face. She felt her cowardice
How could she tell this rich and aris
tocratic gentleman, who counted his
dollars by the hundred thousands
that she had not the trifing sum nee
essary to pay her passage home? A
,. moment only did false shame prevail
her own true courage triumphed.
She lifted her head, proudly, ant
said:
NO, sir. l do not go on the cars
; | am obliged to go on foot. Now
you understand why | am in sucl
haste"
) "On foot May | ask-excuse mt
is it not forty miles to Farming
dale? ?"
YES"
> "You cannot 60 on foot" he said
. decidedly. Take this pass; it vii
+ carry you through to Farmingdale
and beyond, if you wish, and after
wards bring you back to Milltown.-
| am a director Of the road. Coz
, grant you may be in timer
He pressed her hand, turned, ant
: walked rapidly away.
+ Oh, how fervently Annette blesseC
: him! His name went up to heaven il
5 her prayers, asking for all peace AM
e happiness to rest upon him! Tha
G deed of kindness had touched he
= heart; she called Mr.. Templeto
d naughty and purse proud no longer.
q She was in season. Freddie ye
fingered. With a glad cry he hel
e out his little wasted hands, an
l. sprang into his sisters arms.
e There was a little season Of pray
o ers and sad bewailiugs, a brief per
= cd of wearying heaven with mad ell
a treaties, and then came surcease.-
u, The angel of death would not be pr'
lie hibited, and on the third day afte
s. her arrival, Annette held her brothe
to her bosom for the last time, an
at saw him breathe his last, with his gl
to zing eyes fixed on her face in worl
,h less love.
s, One short week Annette tarried
D, Elmstead, and then went back to h'
r. toll. Her face was a little pale
r. her soft dark eyes a little more sa
as but the sweet patience of her count
ay nance remained unchanged.
ct She gave back the pass to Mr.. Tel
de pleton; but when she essayed
on thank him, food of tears was {
she could offer. And he had glanc,
no at her black dress, and understot
N all without asking single question
; From that day the rich man W
II strangely considerate towards tt
ID humble girl. He sent her boo
no which could not be procured at the
'or brary, and occasionally a rare h
,er house plant found its way to her at
ed room in the great clearinghouse.
ur- The winter passed away, a
lch March came. This was Annette's
At tai month. How differently wou
ng. she spend this coming birthday FRI
,th the lastl Then all was joy, song, a
she sunshine Beloved friends had c,
ich graduated her, loving eyes had gaz
it'll fOndly into hers, and rare teStlmO