Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-05-10

cry little Flora. In half an hour Mr.. Fon.
tenay came bringing his daughter, little
Pansie, with him. The little creature dart
ed in like a humlning bird her cheeks
ablaze, her blue eyes flashing lightning.
."He didn't steal my emeralds r. she
cried. "I gave 'em to him to sell 'em and
buy bread for his little sister"
Ross rose to his feet, struggling hard TO
keep back his tears. He put out his little
brown hand, which Pansie instantly clasp
| ed in both her chubby palms.
81 am not thief sir" he said at last, ad-
dressing Mr. Fontenay "I never stole In
my life. know 1t was wrong to take the
necklace, but-but-sir, my little sister Is
sick, and she is starving"
The merchant drew his hands across his
eyes.
"You're IA manly little fellow" he said,
pattiug the lads head, land do not in the
least blame you, but well take back Pan
sies emeralds, and she shall give you some
thing more available. Here, Psnsic, give
this to your little friend"
He put gold piece into Pansie's hand,
which she rendered to Ross, with the in
junction that he should run straight home,
and buy lots o. goodies for his sister;
command he was not slow to obey.
81 think we'll not lose sight OF the little
fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenay, as Ross
disappeared in the stormy darkness, 'shall
we pet? Let's see what we can do to help
him. He's promising lad and an honest
one, I'm sure. Mr.. Lennox, you're in need
of an errand boy, why not try him' I
wish you would"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie's great
delight, and on the following day, Ross was
duly established as errand boy in the fash
ionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering March
morning, young man sat behind tbecoun-
ter Of a thriving jewelry establishment in
one of the northern cities. He was hand
some man, scholar and traveller, man
of taste, intellect and money, for he was
Junior partner in the firm, which was
prosperous one. But despite all this good
fortune, Ross Dunbar was not happy. His
mother and little Flora had gone to their
long home, and he was utterly alone, with
out kith or kin in the wide world.
Sitting alone that morning, with the roar
of the March winds in his eaIs, his thought
went back to the days of his boyhood-to
his mothers humble home. How vivid
the past seemed and how dear and sacred
despite its prvations and sorrowsl His
eyes grew dim, and his heart swelled. All
were gone over the wide waters of time
and change.
A tender smile softened his sad face as he
recalled that stormy night, when he sat
sobbing on the steps of Mr.. Fontenays
mansion, and little Pansie taking pity on
him, dropped her string of emeralds. Dar-
ling little Pansie the remembrance of her
sweet face, as he saw IT through the snow
wreaths that night, haunted him constant
ly. In all these tifteen years, never for one
hour had he forgotten her. But she was
gone lost to him forever!
His revere was broken by the entrance
of a customer, a lady closely cloaked and
veiled. She approached the counter with
jewel case in her hand.
"Woud you buy these, sir?" she asked
simply, in clear sweet voice that stirred
the young mans heart as no other woman's
voice had power TO do.
He took the casket and unclosed ii and
spread out its contents. \ watch, exquis
ite and costly, a diamond ring, one or two
rubies and an emerald necklace. Ross
Dunbar barely suppressed a cry of surprise
as his eyes fell upon it. He turned it over
with eager trembling fingers, and there on
the tawny clasp was the name that had
lived in his heart for 50 many long years ::
Little Pansie.'
"You wish to sell them all ?" he asked,
striving TO steady his voice. and the wild
throbbing of his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant, then she
| put out slender hand and drew the emer-
aids towards her.
81 dislike to part with this she said, ''it
was my fathers Characterization no
matter, take them all, I must have the
money"
In he eagerness she had thrown aside
her veil, revealing lily face lit by lustrous
sapphire eyes. Ross Dunbar stood silent a
moment, every nerve in his manly frame
thrilling with supreme delight. He had
found her at last-the one idol of his life.
"They are very fine gems" he said after
a moment, "and ! am willing to give you a
|
dollars, will that do?"
The girl flashed dazzling glance of glad
surprise from beneath her heavy veil.
$50 much as that ?" she said tremulous-
| ~. "You are very kind sir. o, you can
not know how much this money will help
mel r.
The young man made polite reply, and
proce eeded to put aside the jewels, and to
draw up check for the money. The
March winds were still clustering without,
and the girl shivered and drew her wraps
| closer, as she started out.
won't you let me run down to the bank
for you ?" said the jeweller catching up his
hat. "You can play shop lady the while,
il won't be but minute or two."
"But am troubling yon So" she fllter-
ed.
mot bit; just take this warm seat,
please, you'll not be likely to have any GUS
TONER'S" and seating her beside his desk.
he took the check and hurried out.
Pansie Fontenay threw back her veil
and leaned her head upon her hand, a puz-
zled reflective look on her sweet sad face.
"Where have seen his face ?" she ask ed
herself over and over again. at is 80 ia
miiari who in the world can he be -
His return broke in upon her medita-
tlons, and receiving her money, she hur-
ried away to her humble lodgings.
The following afternoon was even more
clustering and stormy; the wind roared
and the sleet beat and tinkled against the
windows of the little room in which Pansi,
and her father sat. Severe misfortune and
reyerses had reduced them to poverty, and
the old man being an invalid, all the care
fell upon Pansie's slender shoulders. Sh,
sat busy with her sewing while her fathei
read aloud from new book, which sh,
had bought for him with some OF the money