Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-02-06


that she was on no account 10 be disturbed.
Aunt lilly went down street TO SEQ friend
and do some errands.
"Now have a chance 10 give Mr.. AL
deh's parlor thorough putting TO rights"
said Cindy TO herself at has needed it
this long time" And tying a handker-
chief over her head she forthwith went to
| work.
She was rubbing chairs and tables with a
hearty good will when the door suddenly
opened.
Mr.. Alden lifted his hat, while a sudden
flush crimsoned his forehead. Tlen he
stepped quickly into the room and took the
duster from Cindy's hand.
~ beg you PARDON" he said "but you
do me too much honor. l took care of my
own study when in college, and cen again.
Let the dust gather inch deep, my lady alb
bess, before you don that becoming white
head.gesr another time in behalf of a lazy
fellow like me.'
"That would be fine house keepingp
she cried, snatching off the head kercbief
and hiding il in her pocket while she re-
| gained possession of the tabooed duster.
"What made you come back Mr.. Alden
You were 10 be gone all day2"
'To catch you in the midst of your sins,
Miss Cinderella" he answered solemnly,
wheeling large chair into position; land
10 infict righteous judgment upon you by
compelling you 10 sit still for half an hour
while I show you these" said he, unlock
ing portfolio of rare engravings.
Cindy's eyes sparkled and her cheeks
flushed. Then she turned toward the door.
"But the dinner, Mr.. Alden! l."
"Dinner be-dispensed WITH" he said.
81 want nothing but bowl of milk. Con-
fess, now! You did not think of dinner
| till camer
She did not reply; and she stood there,
with ner hand on the door-knob-a pretty
picture of irresolution.
"No dinner for me-" he went on. "Are
you fond of pictures? What shall show
your Figure pieces-landscapes ? What
do you like best?"
81 hardly know" she faltered. II have
seen so few. Show me your own work,
Mr. Alden something you are doing now.
1 shall be sure TO like that"
He hesitated, glanced at her cuIiously,
half-laughed, and then laid his hand on the
cloth thrown over an easel near the win
dow.
"Did you lift this ?" he asked. "Did you
look at this picture?"
"Oh, no, ov' she cried coloring. GLOW
can you ask it, Mr.. Alden? Indeed have
looked at nothing that you lid not leave in
! plain sight"
His own face flushed.
This Is no Blue Boards closet Miss Gin
! dy. should not have killed you if you
had looked. But, to make amends for my
impudent question, l have half mind to
| let you see this-even at the risk of your
displeasure. Look therep'
1t was quaint old kitchen dim, shad-
owy, lighted only by the embers on the
h earth. Leaning against the stone jamb of
the great FIRE place, with a weary look up
on her young face, and her hands clasped
despondingly, stood an unmistakable Gin
| uetciiu.
Cindy took in nothing at first but a gen.
eral idea of the power and pathos of the
picture, holding her breath for very delight
while Mr.. Alden watched her eagerly. Her
eye wandered over the canvass, grasping
detail ailer detail, until at length, as if saw
ing the best wine for the last, it settled up
on the dropping figure in the corner. For
a moment she gaEed silently; then she ut
tered a faint exclamation, while the red
blood fed from her cheeks, aud she burst
in to Tears. Cinderella's face was her own.
"FurGive me oh, forgive me! r. cried
| Mr. Alden hn har auitatinp
could not helpit! The ename-and-every-
thing! Indeed, indeed did not mean to
wound you. But the idea has haunted me
for weeks, and had 10 work out. Tell me
you are not hurt-not angry, Miss Cindy
See will tear the picture in shreds, II
you say sor'
"No, nor' she cried, putting out her
hand to stop him. Leave it as it is. do
not eare-I do not mind. But Mr.. Alden,
l shall find my godmother sometime-or
shall make one for myself" and before he
could Getain her she had gone.
The next afternoon brought heavy mail
to Mr.. Alden, and after tea he strolled
down to the bottom of the garden, where
there was a rustic summer-house, with 9
table and chair or two, to look over the
new monthlies. Presently Laura followed
him, with her portfolio.
81 don't expect you want TO see me one
Bit" she said throwing back her long curl'
with pretty, childlike toss. mot now
when you've just got news from home, an6
everything. But I've come, nevertheless
] do so want you to tell ME what is th'
trouble with this sketch. / can't get it tC
| H.. L., Lii
her white hand upon his arm appealingly
''what shall do when you go away, and
have no one to helpme7 You have addeC
so much to my life r.
He made no reply-ungallant fellow tina
he was-as he took the little sketch or dc
sign from his hand, and glanced at it care
lessly. But in a moment he lost his list
less air, pushed back the hair from hi!
forehead, laid the bit of drawing paper OF
the table before him and examined ii care
fully.
"This design is remarkable for the worl
of beginner, Miss Laura" he said a
= length. "You are a perpetual surprise t.
r me. You have such a way of getting a
| the heart OF things. What did you mea
: by thisP Put your thought in words"
lie was urprised-puzzled. No maj
could be blind TO Laura's beauty; he ha
t enjoyed it, as he enjoyed lovely picture
4 But he had soon discovered, or thought h
i had, that with all her little gushes of seDti
ment aud artless candor, she had no NOR
soul than the Venus de Medlci. Yet now
for more than month, she had brought I
: him, day after day, sketches that betraye
: power of thought, depth of feeling an
b insight, pure womanliness beyond hi
{ comprehension. The execution was one
very faulty-but the power was there IN
deniably.