The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-03-28

fair face was turned towards him, wear
ing gay smile. The ermine tippet and
velvet mantle repelled the cold which
made Annette sbiver, in her thin cotton
shawl.
That night her prayer was long and
fervcnt and its burden was, "Oh, God,
keep me from vain envyings !"
The week was weary one. 1t was
mid-winter, and the severe cold, acting
on Annette's delicate frame, produced
influenza and fever. For five days she
was confined to her room-but on the
sixth she resumed her place at the mill.
1t was Saturday, and the day was one on
which the quarterly payments fell due.
At night Annette went to the counting.
room with the others but the warmth OF
the room so overcame her that she did not
rise from the chair into which she had
sunk, at her entrance, until all her COM
panions were gone. The pay-master had
left too-only Mr.. Templeton remained.
She went up to his desk with her unspok-
en- request in her eyes. He made no re-
mark, but counted out the money, enter.
ed the payment on the book, and opened
the door for her as she departed.
Arriving at her clearinghouse, from
force of habit, Annette counted the roll
of bills, but started in surprise when she
had finished. There was the full amount
of her three months wages. No deduc'
tion for absence.
Annette was not easily tempted, and
the money, though Of great Importance
had no power to make her for-swear her
honesty. Her first act on Monday morn.
ing was to 60 to the counting-reom, and
explain the mistake. 1t was yet early
when she arrived, and no one was there
but Mr.. Templeton, who, o,engaged in read
ing the morning paper, did not notice her
entrance until she spoke
There has been q mistake made in my
quarterly account" she said. "Sicknesf
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.
II was not aware of this, was the
answer; "Mr. Granger keeps a record
of all the absences. We are all liable to
sickness. Good morning" And he
forced the note into her hand, and bowed
her from the room before she could Offer
single word of objection.
That afternoons mail carried all the
ready money which Miss Burns possessed
to Steele-her second payment on the
mortgage Of Elmstead.
The next morning telegram was hand
ed to her:
Freddie Burns is sick. The doctor
has no hopes Of him. Come home i'm
mediately. Your PARENTS.
This was all. And she-she-
heaven! had no means to defray the ex.
penses of her journey, and no prospect 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 fol
sister Nettie to hold his fevered head land
moisten his burning lips!
1t was long, lonesome forty miles tc
Farmingdale, but there was no other way.
But she must hasten-not moment was
to be lost Maybe even now her darling
was lying cold and pulseless in his last
sleep. She clasped her hands in agony
and hurried down the path to the factory
At the gate she met Mr.. Templeton
She stopped instantly and addressed him
81 want leave Of Absence" she said
abruptly. "My only brother is dying
and l must 60 at once. l 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 pallor Of her
faco.
"Where does your brother live ?' he
inquired.
"ln Farmingdale."
every we'll will speak to Mr.. May
field about it,"
"Sir, don't delay moment Every
second lessons my chance Of seeing him
alive"
"True. Bat the train for Farmingdale
does not leave until half.past two, and il
is only seven now. There is ample time
You 60 in the cars, of course ?"
A burning flush swept over Annette's
face. She felt her cowardice. How
could she tell this rich and aristocratit
gentleman, who counted his dollars by the
hundred thousands, that she had not the
triAing sum necessary to pay her passage
home ? A moment only did false shame
prevail-her own true courage triumphed
She lifted her head, proudly, and said
"No, sir. | do not go on the cars.
am obliged to 60 on foot. Now you un
derstand why l am in such haste"
"On foot! May ask-excuse me-il
it not forty miles to Farmingdale?"
"Yes."
"You cannot 60 on foot" he said, de-
cidedly. Take this pass it will carry
you through to Farmingdale, and beyond
if you wish, and afterwards bring you
back to Milltown.-I am director of the
road. God grant you may be in time =
He pressed her hand, turned. and walk
ed rapidly away,
Oh, how fervently Annette blessed
him His name went up to heaven in hel
prayers, asking for all peace and happi
ness to rest upon him! That deed O.
kindness had touched her heart she call
ed Mr.. Templeten naughty and purse
proud no longer.
She was in season. Freddie yet ling
cred. With a glad cry he held out hi
little wasted hands, and sprang into hi.
sisters arms.
There was little season of prayer.
and sad bewailings, a brief period o.
wearying heaven with mad entreaties, ,ant
then came surcease.-The angel of death
would not be prohibited, and on the third
day after her arrival, Annette held hel
brother to her bosom for the last time
and saw him breathe his last, with hii
glazing eyes fixed on her face in world