Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-22


ter Of himself, Of the bitterness aud des-
pair Of the moment. He walked firmly TO
the door; but a step followed him, and
turning, be saw tue pale perturbed face Of
Miss Williams. Then he remembered her
presence In the room, but his madness and
| GRIEF had prevented him from realizing it.
"Just one word, Mr.. Erism," she said.
"Of course you know that will not touch
one penny of this moneyp
at doesn't matter now" he replied. at
might as well be yours as any body's."
"But it is yours" she said.
"Oh, as for me-" said Gerald, 81 shall
not want IT," He walked on through the
hall. Miss Williams followed him stealth
| lily. lie entered his room, but when the
| door shut him in, Luane remained, hag
| gard and trembling, her ear glued TO the
cold panel between them. A grim silence
reigned about her. She could hear the
! clock tick In the dead woman's room be-
low. Suddenly she put both her hands
| about the knob and opened the doo-. Ger
aid turned quickly; there was all omin-
| Gus click the pistol fell little US it went
of. Tho blood soaked through his coat
and trickled out upoa the floor. Just as
Luane was about sinking at his feet, Ger
| aid put out his hand TO her.
".lu accident, Miss Williams" he said.
"Please send Adams for the doctor, and
then help me off with my coat"
This brought Luane TO herself She has
tened to do his bidding, despatched Adams,
and returning again TO Gerald, stanched
the blood with strips of the pillow.case
from the bed. When the doctor came she
held the light for him while be probed the
wound and extracted the bullet.
IAN inch or 80 higher" said the doctor,
land you would have been buried on the
| same day with you aunt"
ut was a lucky thing, then, that Miss
Williams had an erraud to my room when
she did, said Gerald. "As she opened
the door, my hand fell and the pistol went
or"
''She has unconsciously saved your life,"
said the doctor. Then as LLane LET the
room he added, "Shes the finest young
woman know, and would make a capital
nurse in my hospital. Do you know what
she thinks of doing now that your aunt is
gomez"
NO." said Gerald, with a grim smile;
but / fancy she'll think of somelhin, live
lier than that"
'She has such an excellent physique and
splendid nerve" said the doctor. "But I
must go. Keep as quiet as you can, and
have Adams within CALL"
That night Gerald awoke with an
intolerable thirst his temples throbbeI,
his hr1rppl 4
he found that he was sound asleep. This
Of itself was offensive TO Gerald. What
business had the man 10 sleep when he was
suffering? How horribly oppressive the
| Stiffness was, this seml-dark ness and lone
| illness! At that moment ponderous snore
resoundcd from the throat of the sturdy
Adams, and Gerald almost leaped from bed.
1t was like stab 10 him; it was unendur-
| able. He stretched over his sound arm,
and reaching pillow, threwiit with all his
might at the unconscious Adams. But in
| spite Of the agony the movement cost him,
it was futile one. The pillow fell short
OF the object on the floor, and Gerald sank
back with groan.
But suddenly the soft touch Of a womans
hand fell tenderly upon his forehead, the
sweet tones of a woman's voice fell sooth-
ipgly upon bis ear.
at is time for your medicine" said Luz
ane, and put the cup TO his lips. Gerald
drank as If il was nectar. Then she ar
ranged his pillows for him, and was about
retreating from the room when he family
called for drink. Then he thought his
head was too high, or perhaps trifle low /;
every movement caused him intolerable
agony, but he hated 10 be alone with Ad-
ans again. Besides, he was curious about
this woman. She must have really divin-
ed his motive, and come to him to save his
life. She was again about 10 leave him,
but be put his hand upon her 10 detain her,
and found that it trembled a lille beneath
his touch.
Your hand didn't tremble when you
held the lamp for the DOCTOR" said Gerald.
"He wants you for hospital nurse, but
told him you'd prefer something more
cheerful"
"Why, think Ia like it," said Luane.
You know must do something"
II don't see the necessity" said Gerald /;
'you have my aunt's money, and it will
occupy all your time to enjoy it,"
"Your aunt's money is your own," said
Luane, "and you insult me by thinking 1
would take advantage Of the poor old la
dy's weakness never will touch PEN
ny OF it. And, Mr.. Erism, you must not
talk"
zone word, only one" pleaded Gerald.
"But for you might have been like-like
our poor old friend below" Gerald shud-
dered and turned pale. 81 am cowardly
enough" he went on, 'to hate even the
thought Of 1t now. How can thank you,
Miss Williams ?"
"By taking what is your own, aud using
1t well and nobly," said Luanc, and van
ished from his sight.
But as she left him he felt a sudden throb
in the hand beneath his own, and saw
quick flame leap into her cheek, a glow to
her eyes.
"Three long years." murmured Gerald,
"and never knew her till uow."
Gerald was young and strong, and the
fourth day, the one appointed for the fun
eral, he was able 10 be up and dressed, aud
welcomed Luane warmly as she entered
his room. She looked paler than ever in
her black dress, but Gerald thought he new
sr had seen so sweet and noble face"
Chow would like to 60 down, Miss
Williams" he said, and enjoy the surprise
of the good people belowi I'd like TO see
them bow and smile to the heiress OF my
aunrs fortune. I'm as bad as the rest OF
them suppose, for feel like making you
all sorts of pretty speeches" Gerald paused,
and his face grew suddenly grave and ten
der. "Go now" he added, "and kiss my
| amt oond -hv for ma /. toll hor a ~, anita