Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-10-09
BRATTLEBORO, VT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1874.

lyf"
Yes, aud IT'S ms innocent as lambs
She's always been good prompt pay, and
was getting ford OF the little thing, most
as II she'd been one OF my own girls
These quiet still folks have a wonderful
way OF edging themselves into the feelings,
and even now l won't believe n word OF
harm OF the poor child, as I'm a Christian.
But II did give me a start TO hear there had
been difficulty year ago up at Edge
combe."
The girls had gone their several ways,
Janet to feed her poultry, Huldah to attend
to the kitchen. Edwin, perceivng his
mother was getting into the neIghborhood
OF what children call "bloody bones," let
his knife fall, aud, STOPPING down, touched
her foot.
Mrs. Huntly coughed and hemmed and
colored. "Oh, Sister Camp" said she sud
denly changing the subject, "haven't you
brought along some good religious reading
for Edwin that will wake him up to his i'm
penitent condition p
"To be sure" Sislor Camp was always
primed with religious reading, carried in
company with her catarrh snun and vari-
Gus specifics for the cold that perpetually
hung about her. Somewhere or other, I'm
my ridlcule or my pocket, I've got pow
erful tract, called the Carnal Heart, that
will exactly meet his case"
mo, thank you" grumbled Edwin !;
''I'll make tracks myself;" and with that
he seized his hal aud bolted out OF the
door.
The sun shone with sofl caressing touch,
sprinkling kisses on grass aud dandelions,
while round downy clouds sailed through
the wonderful blue sky. Edwin did not
feel bit like business that morning, which
was strange, as business was generally the
breath of his nostrils. He thought in n
vague way that he would like to wander
through the woods with Rachel, and hear
the birds sing. SO across tho mill field he
strobe beside hedge that he himself had
planted. At the end were a few young
plum-trees, all covered with white flowers
as II waiting for the bridegroom. A bench
stood in that spot, but II was partly hidden
from view. Edwin paused In his walk he
thought he heard something like low sob
on tho other side OF the hedge. 1t was Ra-
chel, under large brown garden hat, a.
miserable and detected rs brok en- winged
bird. She was crying, but 1t did not red
den her nose, or blotch her cheeks. Tears
only added to the exquisite soflness OF her
face. She was like pale flower dipped in
dew.
Edwin gave gasp-big, strong fellow
that he was. 81 am so sorry that you are
unhappy" he stammered, appearing be-
fore her, and not knowing what no was
saying.
81 am very unfortunate" sobbcd Rachel,
with the look OF lost child utterly unable
to cope with its troubles, which went di-
rectly to Edwin's heart. 81 shall never,
never prosper; why, 1 can not toll. AS
soon ss l find a home where people are
kind, something Is sure to happen which
brings down distrust and suspicion upon
my head. | have been lonely and sad a
great deal OF my life, and lonely aud snJ
must ever bc!'
"Don't say that" and there was tre-
NOR in the manly voice. "But tell me,
did this thing ever happen to you before,
Rachelf"
"Yes," she answered, in faint, heart
sick way. "You ought 10 know the whole
story. Two years ago father died. Before
that we had wandered about great deal,
and was very weary. My little brother,
you know told you, died too and amer
he went l grew spirItless and dull, and
could eat nothing, and could only sit list
lessly all day with my hands folded /; and
think ! should have mourned myself
quietly 10 death. But there were friends
who helped and encouraged me. Father
was sort Of artist, and he had taught me
TO draw In water -colors. They got me this
work, by which have supported myself
ever since, and II interested me aud woke
me up to life again. l was happy, until a
year ago, had low fever, and amer that
mysterious things happened. Strange sto-
ries were whispered about. Nearly all my
clothes disappeared. 1t was hlnted that
was playing tricks, and that whisper hurt
me very cruelty. could not bear to stay
there any longer, so | came away"
And did you never suspect any one OF
trying to inJure your"
"oh, no." said she, wonderingly, looking
up through her tears. "Who would harm
lonely girl like me2 II seemed as though
could explain It all II l could only re-
member what had happened some time
somewhere. l had confused recollectlons
OF dream that came TO me night afiel
night, and my little brother was AWAY:
with me. My heart was unspeakably
heavy. / often woke up crying, but 1t was
all like mist could not grasp it, though
tried. Do you suppose people ever live
two lives, one which they remember, while
the other Is all "A blankH'
az don't know what you nesn," said Ed
win, as ho took seat beside her on thu
bench.
"And don't know myself. Oh, how l
wish did l am pursued by cruel fat
which | can not understand. / must g,
away from here, for in Time you will al
turn against me-and have been so hap
pyl l would rather die than have yol
think any harm" She could not tinisl
the sentence.
"Don't cry So" said Edwin, slipping hIi
arm round her waist In au almost uucon-
scious attempt la give comfort. "You
ought to know, Rhchol, / could never thinl
evil OF you. This business Will he cleared
up ono day, and you will conc out brigh
as the sun. But whatever happens | shll
always believe in you aud trust vuu lik
my own hearts Nnd il know myself, Ra
chel, II is all yours, tho Same through owl
and through good report" This was no
said very glibly, but slammered over In
way that attesled its sincerity.
Rache. trembled. The little hand tina
lay upon her zap was by some means clasp
ed In Edwin's large brown one. He
throat was still cOnvulsed with sobs, a dam