Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-23

III Am now" said the man, sadly, "many
years have passed since | was here; and
yet you look like the ghost of one then
knew"
my name is Brown" said Harry.
"And mine Is Charles Lee"
Harry rose to his feet and grasped feebly
the hand extended. Never had he felt
quite so weak rs then. He staggered, and
the strong sailor put his arm around him.
''You are weak. indeed" said Ada's
brother, "let mo help you down the hill"
Charley, said the invalid, 'you know"
lie paused. yet Charles understood his
question, for he said
II learned the sad story, only yesterday,
for, returning from long voyage from Sid
ney, had no news from home for many
months. It's just ten years ago since saw
her last-a pretty little girl but nine years
old. Irecollect her parting kiss ut the door,
when she bade mo good-by and told me to
be sure and bring her home parrot and
rs the stage rolled over this very hill, the
last ! saw of Saltwater was her little hand
kerchief waving from the chamber win
dow
Charley" SAID the invalid. 'the same
villain that killed your sister killed me-"
II believe it, my friend, ;" replied Charles,
gently turning him toward the pathway.
"Do not let us go, yet" said Harry, fcebly
resisting, 'let me rest by the grave little
while, for am very tired-very-tirod."
lie SIT him down--his weary head resting
against the stone. Suddenly pale shadow
fitted across his face.
MY friend" said Charley, anxiously, you
are worse. Let me help you down the
hill" But Harry smiled and said. The air
is pleasant here. Let me rest. l anal
most-down the hill"
Come. my FRIEND" urged Charley, 1.-The
evening air is chilly; the sun is down"
LET me lie STILL" said Harry, do not
wish to move"
A few minutes. and the sailor again beg
ged to help him home.
Yet little whie," begged Harry, "you
see | rest so good Here / have rested,
every evening, since the snow departed
here-l--want and hope-to die"
"DieW said Charley; "nonscnse!"
But there was no nonsense about il. Even
at that moment the change took place. 1t
seemed but II slight one. The lips parted Il
| little; the smile became fixed, and the
breathing stopped. Still Charles Lee thought
it could not DO death. Taking flask from
his pocket, he placed it to Harry's lips.
"Just one swallow" he said alarmed
But. the brandy only trickled down Harry,
chin. 1t was too late.
just Mt that moment II carriage drove past
the graveyard and Lee hailed it. A gray.
haired man with spectacles, whom Lee rec
ognized MS DIR. Smith, opened The gate and
approached the grave.
This is indeed fortunate" said Lee
something is the matter with my friend"
But the doctor looked mt him calmly for
moment, and said in solemn tones -
There is nothing the matter with hin
now-he is deadP'
Helping the doctor 10 place the limp form
in the carriage, Charles Lee returned to hi,
sisters grave.
Another victimn no said, looking with
peculiar expression at picture of Faro
which he drew from his pocket. -"Wht
shall he the third9" He fingered round tn
grave till darkness came, and then wake,
rapidly. with downcast, determined look, t
his mothers house. He found her, rs h
had left her u few hours previous. sitting II
her rocking-chair, and taking little notice O
anything. lie approached her and kisseC
her,
"Mother!" he said, II must leave you
again"
80 soon, my SOM" she asked.
Even So" said he, sadly but rcsolutely.
ave shall never meet on EARTH" sh,
said.
Charley's face was irresolute for mo
ment, but speedily its expression becam
fixed.
Mother" he said, "for you and me al
that there is Of happi ness below is Cancelled
We shall meet above, if not here"
lie left her without tear, but with
deep purpose in his heart. The next nigl
he spent in Bankcrville. Hardly had h
reached his room in the hotelw no drew
from his breast pocket n roll of notes an
counted them carefully.
"Scven hundred aud eighty-iive," he sal,
as he finished. "hardly earned and hardl
saved; but If they were millions they SHOULD
GO"
Late that night, he took part Of that TO
and entered famous gambhng-hell @
Bankervlle in the early morning he +,
turned to his room and examined his pool
cts.
: "Eighty-fvo dollars gone; and all f
nothing, so far,n he observed rs he tire
himself, without undressing upon the bee
At the same hour the next night, he 81
tered the same place, but when no counte
his money in the morning, it was with
grim satisfaction. lie did not go to bed Il
Z all. but packed small vnlse and bought
ticket for Chicago.
!, MAY Satan help me TO find him. he sal
. rs he took his seat IN the cars. and the light
y ming express whired him in 90 hours
[ the great lake city.
n A few hours rest and then walk abol
the streets until the street lamps had bee
lighted several hours, and Lee walked u
4 tho steps of fine hotel and examined Il
. register He found the name he sought M
5 made an inquiry of the clerk, whose answ'
Q low and carefully given. brought look
Y disappointment TO Charles's face.
; "Gone to Priggville!" he repeated, an
o information WAS that he was hore surely"
g The train that went to Priggville, tn
:, night took Charles Lee with it. Anoth'
| disappointment there
n Faro has gone" said the party Of who
y he inquired, -"gone to Lynchvlle, which
Il on the river west of here, and there's l
/, railroad communication"
d Lee passed the night in Pnggville. |
v counted his money before he went to be
# and. before he hung his pen jacket on t
peg. he took therefronl, out of large poe
. ct made specially for its reception, hea
navy revolver. lie wiped it carefully !
= over with his handkerchief, and, with n phi
carefully cleaned out each nipple, and p