Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08

The shutters, but my fingers trembled so help
icssy tina, hurt them in the bolt, though |
could not draw it. Just as | gave up the at
tempt, aud went out upon the Stair, ! heard
slow ring at the hall door bell Not
Georges ring yet never for a moment did |
doubt that | could see him FIRST when | open.
ed the door My fingers did not tremble
now. | could draw back the heavy bots,
and unfastcn the chain. The faces in the
street would be bright and fresh--full Of hap
pincss to begin the Christmas Day-wbat
would George think Of mine when he met il ?
The door was wide open the chill gray light
crept into the hall aud in an instant for.
got my own pale face. One look at my has
band bad chased everything else from my
head. Deathly, ghastfully white, he stood
propped against the doorway, gazing at me
vacanily and wistfully. His cothes--which
looked all different from what | had ever
seeu them look before--hung about him, torn
and frozen and bloodstained his head and
enc foot we're bare his hands, cropping ieebly
toward me, we're gray aud wrnkled. | put
my arms round him in sudden terror.
think felt that he was going from me. And
what did it signify whose eyes could see US
George, George, my love-" whispered,
as | almost carried him in--for my strength
seemed TO grow tenfold when saw his weak.
ness" Home at last" could not utter
one word Of questioning, far less Of doubt !;
could only try to cheer him, aud bring back
some look which | should recognize into the
wandering eyes. Home at last, dear
George and I've a beautiful fire, and hot
coffee, and chops but think brandy will be
best now-because you are 500 cold---and
and"
But my weak attempt broke down here in
frightened sobs and kisses
A happy Christmas, darling"
The tone was 80 unlike my husbands bright
and cheerful tone that | dared neither an.
swer nor look up. | was literally carrying
him now up the lighted stars-I, who that
morning would have said that to carry him
one step would kill me
" Don't forget the dog, Annie" whispered
George, slowly, rising in bed to speak to me
the more earnestly. BE good to him, and
feed him and warm him"
" Yes, dear" | said, smiling assuringy
into his dim eyes. ] had given him the hot
brandy and water, and was waiting anxiously
now for the physician. And the Ginning Of
the Christmas bells went on, and on, and on
"lle has saved my life three times, Annie
from robbers-from starvation and from
death in sleep. BE good to him, dear"
"lndeed, indeed | will" The wandering
eyes were little quieter now.
Home now--in time to bring in-thG
Christmas morning. Yes, just in time A
happy Christmas darling Just in time
lie saved me, to be in time. A happy-dic
say it-Annie?"
With a great SODA sob which made me
SILVER as if struck with death he fell back
lileless on the pillow
The crocuscs are blooming in our window:
now, and George is able to 60 out with me to
breathe the fresh spring air. and watch how
the woods are slowly Frightening into green
but he has not yet lost the traces Of that
nights suffering, aud the long illness that fol.
lowed. All what time that was. Night
and day | watched him fighting with his
pain until they shut the door against me, and
| could only suffer with him-O, how keen
ly in my thoughts. When they let me 20
to him at last, the agony had worn itself out,
and in the utter exhaustion which followed
there was a kind Of rest | laid our little
baby boy beside him, and saw the gentle hap.
py smile upon his lips, the grateful gadness
in his eyes then let the little one be car.
ried away, and | took my own place beside
my husband-the place which | could never
bear to leave. My long fear and watching are
over now; can recall that night even with
gratitude; but George never speaks of it but
with wondering awe which half bewilders
me, and which [ shall never be able to uu-
derstand.