Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-09


ing gaze Of his clear gray eyes, very firm,
though gentle, the touch of his strong. slen-
der fingers; and Flossy felt an instructive
confidence that his verdict. he what II might,
would he final, and tromblod inwardly while
she awaited It.
1t was bad enough, hut not so had us It
might be, when it came ut length. Convict
cd, but not condomncd, might he rendered rs
the summing up. There WINS certainty of
reprievc, and II hope Of ultimate rescue;
but, meanwhile, the penanco of total idle
ness, and daily subsection to medical treat
mcnt was adiudgod.
Flossy drew long breath of relief; it was
so much better than she had feared; and
Fred, the big tendcr-heartcd fellow, rushed
up with tears in his eyes and embraced her
regardless Of appearance. The little lady
colorcd violently, and pushed hun away.
For shame, Fred" she expostulatcd, in II
vehement whisper; and then, to conceal her
embarrassment, said gaily to the doctor:
ado, pray, give us again the nice long
name of what you said was the matter with
my eyes. People will be sure to ask, and
shall feel so learned to tell them
DIR. Buchanan replied gravuly, and dis
creetly assumed to have seen nothing of
what had happened.
But he had seen, nevertheless, and cnviod
while he saw; and even after the pair had
departed, with hearts wonderfully lghtened,
TO forget their fears in the delightful mystic
ries of housc-iurnishing; and even while he
himself was very busy with irnumerable
cases of ophthalnia, amaroSis, and heaven
knows what unutterable ailments of unfortu-
nate optics, the remembrance of the comical,
touching scene came back to him more than
once, and with it the hope ho might not have
TO do anything very terrible 10 those soft,
blue eyes that had looked up so wistfully to
his; for it was very evident that whatever
pain was inflicted on them would duplicate
itself on the heart of the fond young lover or
Observation-Disclosures he was.
Meanwhile, said problem character "
was deep with Flossy in the mysteries OF vel
vet satin, and brocatelle and thanks to their
united industry and perseverance, the great
work of fitting up the new house was most
satisfactorily inauguratcd by dinner time.
Fred was too busy To accompany her to
the doctors next morning, and Flossy went
off quite courageously alone. The physician
seemed II little surprised to see her thus, and
thought better of her nerve than he had the
day before He thought better of it still
when he saw with what quiet fortitudG she
underwent the very painful application
which he presently proceeded to make. The
poor nflamed oycli,ls were turned inside out.
aud painted with some pungent salve;
drops of some fiery liquid fell like living
Goals upon the sore and quivering balls. but
she made no sign of suffering after the first
long, shuddering sigh. She sat quite still,
growing white to the lips and with her finger
tips pressed tight together, but she neither
finched nor cried out and when it was over,
and she lay back for moment with the
poor, smarting eyes closed. and the tears
running down her pale cheeks, the doctor
was fain to comfort her rs he would have
done n child.
There, the worst is over now" he said.
gently, " for the first is always the worst !;
and you have the consolation of having prov
ed your heroism mt least"
That isn't the least bit of consolation,
thank YOU" retorted FIossy, piquantly, COM
ing out of her forced calm, as the pain SUBJ
sided little, and drying her tears with q
drolly pathetic air. II am not Mt all ambi-
tious Of being considered heroic. OF course,
If ] must suffer, | want to behave like u
woman. and not like baby; but | had
much rather. If you please, not have TO suffer
at all"
"You don't believe then, Ia the strength
ening and purifying power Of paing' said
The doctor.
II SIN afraid | can't. have no faith in
the be good and you'll be happy doctrine;
when I'm happy, I'm always good. So are
other people. believe, and they can't be
happy while they are suffering. Hence, MS
we used to say 1T school, I'd do it. and then
we'd all be happy and all be good"
"What would the orthodox people and the
poets say to such hcresy?" asked the doctor
amused ut her flppancy.
knowledge by suffering entereth"
you know, and you surely wouldn't venture
to oppose I,ongfellows dictum, impressed
upon you, doubtless, in your first reader, that
it is very particularly sublime thing
TO suffer and be strong"
"Oh, know all they say said Flossy
Struggling her shoulders; but it seems Il
me, IL we were spared the suffering, we
wouldn't need the strength. At amy rate
I'm Sybaritc enough to wish could try it
I think they were the wisest of the old phi
lOsophcrs, after ALL There is Mrs. Brow
ing, now, who asks in sad amaze if we woulI
Refuse the baptism of salt toarsF
wonder if she ever had sore eyesP Doctor
what have you done to make me cry so in
cessantly? You will ruin me in pocket hand
; kcTchieis!"
, She held up cambria trihe, completed.
saturated with the moisture which The scald
: ing application had caused to flow plentiful
ly from her eyes, and the doctor gravely pre-
scntod his own handkerchief 1t was large
and fine, and cool, and Flossy took it simply
| and pressed IL to her smarting eyeballs.
0 81 like the smell of Florida water" sh,
l said, navoly; "it is so refreshing, while mos
| perfumes are, on the contrary, oppressive.
I And again she applied the fragrant linen Il
: her eyes.
Y The doctor flashed with IN odd sense o
r pleasure, and gave an amused assemble
!. ginning, meanwhile, to fold mp powders.
/. "You ought 10 feel quite honored," h
b said, presently, "at being allowed to shar
= st. Paul's nnrmity, You know the loarne,
# in those matters have decided diseased eye
h, to have been his thorn in the flesh
e II don't believe it," sand Flossy, irrever
emily; lit is only their opinion and | have a
= and that was the reason he remained
5 bachelor, and was so cross on the subject O
y marriagem
5 DIR. Buchanan laughed outright
d "When have heard so much heterodox