The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-02-04
For the Register.
ilathie.

for Mildred. At quarter past she vii
leave the rooms, then fifteen minutes t
reach the ferry, another quarter and sh
is on this side, and just as | am counting
for five. l shall see the scarlet wing on he
old black hat, crossing the corner ant
coming under the window. How Mild
red hates that hat +! and the scarlet wing
she threatens every day, shall go into tn,
fire.
| suppose she thinks don't know why
she don't do as she promises.
Poor, dear, old Mildred, its quite Gu
ough for her tina; | like the gay little
wing, aud care to watch for its coming
around the corner OF Kay street.
Perhaps | wouldn't always know il
was Mildred, there are so manv girls
turning that corner at that very hour, and
there are heaps Of black hats, but there.
no mistaking the scarlet tip. | never saw
another like it, aud Mildred says | 'nev-
er will
She colorcd it herself. 1t was gray
once, and for some reason the gray and
the red didn't come into each nicely. and
there are little dots or sprinkl,s Of gray
all through tho red.
Roger laughs, and says, Mildred had
better 90 into the dyeing business, and
use that feather for her sign. Spccklcd,
spotted, and mottled dyeiog done here
fourth story, corner room, No. 1j.'"
And now, while we are waiting for
Mildred let us take look into this little
upper room.
As you enter it there seems to be moth
ing OF any Importance, save large, old
fashioned easy chair, thckly stuffed and
wadded and covered with faded chn,z
As you reach the chair, you are met by
pair OF great gray eyes upturnei to
yours with startled, questioning OK
and you discover, curlcd close amoug the
cushions, the figure of IL girl
II she stood, she couldn't possibly reach
your ebow, but one glance at the tiny
feet, bolstered upon Il high, covered box,
telI' you more plainly than could any
words, that for her to stand would be an
linpo,sbility, for the slender hles ore
twisted, and the feet, turned almost at
! Tlgul angles win the limbs
hathic Kent has never known what it
is to stand, a happy, whole.bodicd girl.
with day before her in which she should
know no terrible agony Of pain. through
the broad white forehead to the fearful
hump that has thrown the whole body
out OF shape and comciness.
For fifteen years she has sat in that
very chair, at that same side window. or
has lain upon the low cot in the opposite
corner; never anything more than this.
She thanks God, never anything less.
The rain, which has poured in torrents
for hours, has never done more for her
than beat at the windows. Not one of
It's storm-clouds has entered her soul.
She has watched the large bow-window
over the way with just as much pleasure
as If the sun had shone in. and lighted up
the beautiful silks and shceny satins, she
has seen fair and happy girl holding up
to the adniring gaze Of two or three lit.
tie sisterS,who watch her every movement
with loving, lingering looks. -
hathic believes she has Guessed their
secret, Tor hasn't She seen the simmer.
Ing sllvery robe sent home only day or
two ago, and the long, imy vail which
Miss Rich threw over her pretty head,
turning with u shy air for one side glance
in the long mirror; and Kathie says to
herself: II she is one half so sweet and
lovablc as her dear, gentle face away-
looks, any home into which she comes
must be very truly happy and blessed "
One, two, three, four, five. Mildred
dear, is il you o.
1t is worn. tired face that greets
hathie; Il sweet face, too, only the lines
about the mouth are drawn hard and
close tonight, and Kathie only ventures
to say, Very tired, Mildred, dear p"
Yes" and with an angry toss, the
girl throws hat, cape, and bundle Of pat
terms upon the table.
Kathic never takes her eyes from her
sisters face, Her heart is full OF tender
ness aud pity for her DEAR and she
says over and over to herself, as she has
learned to do since she has been lclt alone
all day " Poor Mildred it is very hard
when she's SO bright and beautiful, to De
shut up all day in those horrid rooms.
making gay things for other people, when
she knows she would be as gay aud hand
'ome as the gaycst and handsomest anon,
them all, if tho fine laces aud silky vel.
vets were but her own.
Mildred ought to have been born
Queen she's so tall and fair, and has
such great, deep blue eyes, and such love-
y golden hair, all in tiny waves aud rip
piles; it will curl up close to her face, no
matter how hard she brushes AMI pushc,
1t back into her net, such II lovely face
as it is to lie upon
Then after the work is done, and She
comes home, there's only one TO see or
talk to, except, indeed, Roger, when he's
here.
What docs it mean Mildred ana lio-
ger and | 4; Mildred, with all the joy gone
out OF her life Roger, with that fearful
temptation forever crossing his path aud
|, poor and weak as | am, Mll7cd's cross
and burden"
And then she watches Mildreds busy
fingers, as they rekindle the sleeping fire,
and set out The few dishes for their scan
ty supper
Sill the same hard look on the poor,
dear face. Kalhie feels she must say
something.
Mildred, dear,what is it? Can't you,
won't sou tell me? I'm sure | can under
stand. If have never. like you, gone
out into the trials aud cares, | do know
its hard, very nard for you.
I've thought i: all out up here alone,
Mildred over and over again, until my
head felt so wild, and my heart ached un-
Ill it seemed ready TO burst aud after
all, I've tried to feel, perhaps this is on
ly the way, the road mean, all choked
and filled with care, and trouble aud sor-