Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-01-26

ct, prosaic, middle-aged man, who did not
know the meaning of the word romance,
and considered all poetry and sentiment
dreadful waste of time. lie looked sub
stantial and respectable, MS he was, but not
ut all Il suitable partner for pretty, graceful
Laura-either for dance or for life.
outside, the wind blew in wild, furious
blasts, the snow storm ragged in blind an
ger; inside, all was gayety, light and
warmth. The darkest spot was the
heart of the young doctor. He danced
only once with Laura; IL was pain
fu to both. Yet as her sweet, pale face
smiled upon him, and her two tender eyes
met his own, there was comfort in the look
comfort also in the thought that she
would never love another as she loved
him.
81 shall see you tomorrow at the hour
appointed, l suppose" said Mr.. Fulton,
carelessly to Allan. "For Laura's sake, IL
is high time all this nonsense was ended"
- Too indignant for speech, Allan bowed
and passed on; but the lights and music
became hateful 10 him, the sounds of
laughter and gay voices contrasted vividly
with his own misery. He gave one more
look at the fair face that was to smile 10
more on him, and hastily left the house.
The hours that followed were like n
dead blank. The winds and snow ragged
furiously around him, beating upon him,
binding him with drenching showers, but
he never heeded-hs heart was burning
within him-burning with bitterness, an
l., To l,aI
ured love. What matter if the snow beat
him down and hid him forever! lie never
remembered how the time went on-he
never knew what road he had takcn-he
walked on like one in dream. stunned
with misery.
Midnight had long passed, the Ginning
of the joy-bels had reached him, the snow
still fell heavily and deep. Thick, dense,
darkness covered the earth, when, sudden
ly, the young doctors attention was at
tracted by what he felt sure was a low
moan-a moan indicative of extreme an
guish. lie listened attentvely, but all was
silent as death.
When he woke up fully to recollection,
his first effort was to endeavor to discover
but from the shape of the road, as defined
by the trees, and by the noise of the river,
he imagined he was not far from "The
Lines John Eltons home. He felt un-
willing to leave the spot, certain as he was
of having heard those dismal means. He
spent nearly an hour in the darkness. At
last half buried in a mass of snow, he
found the body of man.
just at that moment the mail cart passed
along the road and Allan called loudly to
the driver, who stopped and came TO his as
sistance. He had two lights, and held one
to the face of the man, which felt cold and
chill as death. Allan almost dropped the
unconscious figure he supported when the
light from the lantern showed the features
Of J ohm Elton, his successful rival.
~ will leave you one lamp, sir" said the
driver, "and will send you help immed-
ately, but dare not stay, or my bags will
be too-lata for the mail train"
lie drove of, leaving the young doctor
alone with the man whose gold had bought
from him his love.
1t was TO Allan Cartons honor that dur
ing the loRE and dreary watch he kept
there, no thought save of infinite pity and
compassion entered his mind. Reliefcame
at last and the master of "rhe Lines was
carried home Even then, but for Allan's
vigorous efforts, he would hardly have re-
covered. For seven long hours the doctor
watched him, using every resource known
to skill and art. No mother could have
tended darling child more carefully.
He was rewarded when John Elton mul
INJURED feebly;
doctor, you have saved my life
The explanation was very simple. Mr..
Elton, elatcd by his triumph and respect
of winning the prettest girl in Strutton for
his wife, had drank perhaps one glass of
champagne too much-certainly not more
lie was elated and full of spirits, but moth
ing beyond.
As he was ealloping rapidly home his
horse frightened by the wind and snow,
threw him and went off full speed without
a rider. lie fell in the midst of large,
deep snow drift, and had already lain some
hours when Allan heard him moan.
That one moan, caused by the intense
pain of his fractured ankle, was the means
of saving his life.
All night Allan Carlton watched the sick
he'd. Towards morning his patient fell in
to deep sleep which lasted some time and
helped him on the road to recovery. When
he did awake the first sound he heard was
the Ginning of bells for the new year, the
first thing he saw was the sad face of the
young doctor who was that day to lose his
love.
"lleaven bless you, Doctor" he said
gently, 'you have saved my life 1t is New
Years day; let me wish you happy new
year"
But Allan Carlton shook his head with a
gentle, patient SMILE and said there was no
happiness left for him.
lie had not meant to tell his story, but
Mr.. Elton drew it from him by degrees.
"Stay with me- he said "until five one
of my men shall drive you into Strutton."
And when Allan went to bid him good
bye, Mr., Elton slipped a small folded pa
per in his hand.
"You saved my life under Providence"
he said "all have belongs to you. Make
me happy by accepting this, and rcmem-
Der, know all give with it; and | give
all that choerfully to a noble gentleman,
far far better than myself Not one word
of thenks-go. II is but n physician's
Zee.
Tears of gratitude and joy dimmed Al
Ian Cartoons eyes when he unlolded this
paper and saw a check for five hundred
pounds.
This interview did not end as Mr.. Fulton
had expected, but the happiness which
shone in lis daughters face moro than re-
paid him. The money was paid over, the
partnership arranged, and before the next
joy bells were rung Laura Fulton had gone
to the doctor, pretty home. John Elton
was the best man at the wedding and made
some magnificent presents to the bride.