Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-09-10

and position would hardly tolerate the ad-
dress of poor physician, he reasoned,
although Laura's manner certainly gave
him cause to entertain contrary opinion.
One morning he met her in the hall,
Can l speak with you moment before |
you go to my uncle ?" she asked.
Certainly" he replied, following her
into the reception room. Closing its door
she came toward him, saying with smile
"Have you quite forgotten me?"
"Surely, Miss Gresham need never ask
such a question" he said gallantly. Be
sides, l saw you yesterday"
She made slight movement of impa
tience.
al do not mean that, want to know
whether you have ever guessed that was
the poor girl you met on the street that
dreadful night when my mother was so ill,
and you beiriended US. Am so changed
that you did not know me- ?"
"No," be answered, i" but thought"
Thought that l had such-a foolish
false pride that | shrank from acknowl-
edging my Indebtedness to you, recalling
my former poverty" she interrupted, her
soft eyes filling with suppressed emotion.
d" [ am sorry, but you have good reason,
My uncle is SO annoyed by any allusion to
that miserable time-it wounds his pride,
and, besides that, he reproaches himself SO
bitterly for having ignorantly allowed my
mother to struggle and suffer as she did,
that | have never dared to speak of it
before him, In fact, l resorted to ruse
to induce him to have you attend him, tell
ing him though the names were the same,
the DR.. Burgess he remembered was rich
and probably still abroad"
Then you recognized me yourself at
once !"
Certainly, and | am not as ungrateful
as have seemed. | have so longed to
thank you, although words never can for
all you did for US
"Do not say anything about it, Miss
Gresham" said Hal, much embarrassed.
" 1t was trhing service l was so fortu-
nate as to render you, and you may be
sure | should never have reminded you
of it."
But feel under such weight of un-
acknowledged Obligations" she protested
earnestly, " and besides / think | may
venture to tell my uncle now. You have
become such a favorite with him that
think he will be able to forgive you even
your charity towards u.s."
Hal WINGED at the words spoken half
playfuIly, yet with genuine humility.
{" L assure you, Miss Laura, there is no
such debt of gratitude between US as you
assume any benefit l was to you at that
time has already been more than repaid
by the patronage which has been secured
for me through your unce's influence, since
L came to your city, poor. unknown ply
sician.'
She shook her head incredulously.
That is nothing. Your own talent
would have secured 1t all without any aid
from us. l do much wish there were any
way in which l could repay you."
There is one," he said, yielding to a
sudden impulse as he LOOK ed down into her
eager eyes, but, not would suppose
the original debt increased by such enor.
muous usury, that do not here propose
it,
| "The estimates might be diffei ent," she
murmured, the long lashes dropping shyly
and the tell tale color flushing her cheeks
Cali debts are more than cancelled by
the gifts of love-" was the reply.
A few mornings later Laura leaned ovel
the back of her uncle's chair and sal,
coaxingIy:
DIR. Burgess has done you good dea
of good, uncle should think you woule
like to make him present"
$50 would, Laura, so would. Wha
, shall it be? Y ou may select it."
Well, uncle, it is strange fancy, bu
, he thinks he would like me-"
, YOU cried Mr.. Rhodes in utter as
; TOMS hme Mt, "You! Even as well as
like the fellow, that is asking little to-
} much.'
/ "Oh, don't say that, uncle" answered
, Laura, blushing. Think of all his ser
t vices and kind attentions to you, and an
. sure owe him everything he proves
t to be the very Dr. Burgess who befriende'
me when | was in such sore trouble"
!, The old gentleman sat speechless fol
some moments, engrossed in confictin
emotions.
"You said 1 might choose the presen
for him." urged Laura, timidly, and
will not really be giving me away for W
+, shall both belong to you
/ Her uncle kissed her tondly and Ha
. appearing at that instant in the doorway
be called her to him:
This little woman has pleaded you
cause so we'll that all that is left for me t.
say is as they do on the stage and in stor
= books, ''' Take her and be happy"