The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-09-23

again. The uncle is evidently well off,
since he discharges hi' 'pccuniary indebt.
edncss,' as he calls it, so promptly,
judging from the note, it wounded his
pride. and wish had not been so care
less as to drop that card. What in the
deuce am to do with this money, any
way?'
lie would not have asked that question
two years later, when the news of great
fire in his native city came across the
cable, aud he learned that the riches
which he had cujoycl so thoughtlessly
had vanished on the swift wings OF flame
He returned at once, self-reliant aud
hopeiul-thc change in his circumstances
developing all the latent energy of his
character. The necessity Of gaining
livelihood from the profession which he
had formerly looked upon as the outlet o.
certain philan.hropic ambition was Just
the stimulus he needed, though even IN
his prosperity he had never been an idler
with no earnest purpose or endeavor. But
knowing as he did from experience, the
butterfly life of club and ballroom, he
realized that it would bc Incompatible
with the practical work that lay before
him, and he felt that it would be easier
to sever the old social ties at once and to
seek his fortune among strangers.
He went to western city ; but even
there, to his surprise, he found some old
friends in an agreeable family he had met
while travelling abroad. They were gay
people, who entertained handsomely, but
he pcrsistontly declined all their invita-
tions, until he was ovcr-pcrsuaded to at
tend the debut ball Of one Of the younger
daughters.
lie did not repent his concession when
be found himself in the midst of the bril-.
liant scene, but yielded frankly to its ex-
hilaraton. The fair deJutonte showed
him much favor. tut in the midst of her
lively chatter his eyes wondered to the
door through which tall, graceful girl
was jaot entering.
She was indeed very lovely form, col
oring, movement. were all exquisitely
perfect. The shining ripples of golden
hair, the dewey, violet eyes, the rose-leaf
complexion, the arch, smiling mouth, the
supple, rounded figure ,rivalled each other
as being the chief charm of her fair pres
cnce.
Halls genuine admiration. was very cvi-
dent, as he asked abrubtly:
Nv he is that lady ?
If you were not such a reclusc you
would not ask, replied his companion
that is Laura Gresham, the bell Of the
season. Isn't she lovely?'
Yes, very answered Hal; she has
that rare beauty that reminds one of
flower, delicate and perfect, yet living, |
think | have seen her before
That is hardly possible, for she has
been in convent school all her life until
this winter. Let me introduce you; |
know her we'll
Hal assented eagerly, but was surprised
to sec sudden blush suffusc Mis- Gresh.
ANS face when his name was mentioned,
and he iauced her manner distant. She
bad no dance left to give him, but they
chatted ou few moments oD ordinary
topics, and chance allusion
is it long since you returned from
Europe ?
'Only about six moaths. | should
have remained Il year longer, but all my
worldly goods having been converted into
dust and ashes one night, it behooved me
to exchange the life Of vagabond for
the practice of my profession, which be-
gan here in preference to my native city
The lightly spoken words seemed to as
tonish her. What a misfortune y she ex.
claimed.
i trust it will not prove so in the eud.
he answered, thoughtfully; but the next
dance had already began, and the tete.a'
tete was interrupted.
Later in tho evening, his hostess said
to him playiully You should be much
flattered Miss Gresham has been asking
me all about you, and it is not often that
she condescends to take so much trouble.
OF course you have fallen in love at first
sight.
'perhaps should if had not long
since outgrown such a possibility Hal
answered carelcssly.
Nevertheless, as he sat next morning, in
his modest little Office, Laura's beautiful
face came between his eyes and the dry
report Of the medical work he was read.
ing, with such foolish persstency that it
was relief when the bell rang and he
was interrupted by messenger desiring
his attendance upon Mr., Rhodes as soon
as possible.
Rhodes thought Hal as he prepared
to obey the summons, surely have heard
that name. Why it is the same crusty
old correspondent, and this is the city he
; was living in. Strange | never thought
of it before. should like to see his lit
, tie niece again
But when he reached the handsome
house to where be had been directed, h,
y found only an rasciblc, dyspeptic old gen
, tleman, who made no allusion to any pre-
vious intercourse, and proved q most ex
acting aud exasperating patient 1t wa
not until the third visit that he found ;
, young lady in the room who was intro
j duced as My niece, Miss Gresham
So this was the poor needy girl he haC
succored-this courted belle and heiress
! Truly, circumstances had strongly change'
, with both of them since their irst meet
. ing
D Il have had the pleasure Of seeing DR.
r. Burgess before, she said, with a sligh
Y hesitation but beyond the sgniicanc
a which might be attached to those few
e words, no reference was made to any pre-
e vious incident in their acquaintance. Ap
!. parently she desired it should be ignored
!. aud lIAl had far too much tact aud breed
IF ing to betray by word or look his own re
;. membrance of it. Yet he often wondere
| at this silence. aud in the course of sever
v al months professional attendance he be