Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-31

spoken Mr.. Haiburton's name to him be-
fore. He could feel that she was embar-
assed, as she did so.
81 want you TO dress, John" she added,
coaxingly. "I have laid everything out
for you"
II seemed to him that he would have
turned upon her, but that he felt so broken
by the thought of losing his place, and re-
sented her gayoty, her secrecies-all that
had made him so miserable through this
long year. But he had not the spirit.
lie went to dress, as she had asked him.
When he returned to the parlor, stephen
Halliburton and his wife sat upon the sofa
side by side. It was rare indeed
to see Georgy's fair face so Illuminated.
Her checks were glowing, her eyes spark
ling.
AS for Mr.. Halliburton, he was always
the quiet gentleman, with no sense of be-
ing out of his place, no apparent suspicion
of what was ranking in the heart of his
employe.
What a nice little supper Georgy had
ready-yet nobody ate.
Finally it was over. They went back to
the parlor.
Georgy disappeared for a moment, and,
returning, approached her husband, glanc-
ing shyly Mt the same time, at her guest,
whose face frightened beyond its wont as
he caught her eye.
awe meant to make it all very formal,
John ; but Mr.. Halliburton thinks l might
as well tell it at once in my own way"
She paused, and asober pallor overspread
her husbands face.
"What was coming?" his eyes asked,
with no faith that it was any thing to light
en- his secret burden.
Georgy folded and unfolded nervously
slip of paper she held
"That is for you, John" and she held IL
shyly towards him. "My anniversary
gift! I have been working for Mr.. Hall
burton, too, this last year. And have
thirty guineas here-the price of the de-
signs I have made for the calicoos-"
"Georgyr
"Nou never suspected il? l did not
want you to, till knew whether I could
succeed"
John Randall had no voice in which to
word his amazement or his gratitude
gratitude for his restored faith, which,
though his wife did not suspect it, was by
far her most precious anniversary gift.
She went on, az could always use my
pencil nimbly, you know, John, and it had
occurred to me one day, why couldn't do
something with it for profit? l spoke to
MI. Halliburton, and he was so kind-you
must thank him, johnnie took so much
trouble with my crude attempts he did so
much to encourage me. And now / am
fairly in the way of work. | shall work
better, too, now that you know of it. l
want to design for carpets, by-and-by, as
well as prints; that pays so well-a per-
centago on the sale"
She stopped short-suddenly conscious
of how much she was saying.
81 have my little surprise, also, for you,
Mr. Randall" added Stephen Halliburton,
quietly. 81 hope it, too, will prove agree
able. The universal testimony of the mill
officials, as to your efficiency and trusti-
ness, makes me feel that am not showing
you proper appreciation, and desire TO
give you n somewhat more responsible po-
sition, with an increase of salary"
The very glory of the heavens seemed to
be opening way to John Randall out of
all his trouble. 81 am too happy, Mr..
Halliburton, to talk much," he said, in his
straightforward manly way. "Ihave been
depressed lately-the sudden removal of
all cause for low spirits"
He stopped short. Two big tears rolled
down his checks. Stephen Halliburton
alone perceived, what Georgy had never
suspected, that her secret had made her
husband jealous. lie grasped Johns hand.
"My dear fellow, it is too bad feared
1t little, once or twice. OF course I could
not hint to Mrs. Randall"
"What, John? What Mr.. Halliburton ?''
"Nothing, Georgy, that you will ever
know"
They were alone together, by-and-by,
with their new found happiness. Perhaps
Georgy was equally relieved that there
was no more need for mystification.
"What made you ever think Oft, Geor-
gy?" her husband asked.
"Why, John, it was that day about the
gloves. set myself to considering why
you should have all the toll, and all the
indulgence. pondered how could make
or save something"
81 am happier than I ever thought I
could be again, dear"
"Do you know, 1 have iancied you were
unhappy lately, John, because you thought
I was longing for things you could not
give me? I could hardly wait for tonight
to come, to tell you ALL
"My daringr'
And he folded his arms about her, and
hid his face on hor shoulder; and, in the
brightness and silence of the room, with
its odor Of flowers and glow of leaves, they
felt their way through the coming future,
safe, confident, out of the reach of any bit
ter trouble, since they loved and trusted
one another.