Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-05-14

lie wanted nothing not even his sister.
She went about her necessary work with
an oppressive, bewldering sense of leisure
upon her. And Wll-if the joyous voice
alone had distracted him So how could he
work now 9-now, that II recalled the meek,
desolate face of the mourner; now, that
the cry had changed into such pitllul. be-
seeching "Wiliei Williep
The day after Willie was buried, II hap
pened that VIII paid his rent, and took
that opportunity 10 inquire after his fellow
lodger.
"Poor young thing" said the motherly
landlady, "it makes my heart ache TO see
her, up there in the little room, where they
were SO happy, those two. She says the
very walls seem written with his name,
and the things he used TO touch cry cal
ice, Alice" just as he called for her, at the
last ii is enough to craze hers there isn't
an empty room in the house, or she should
have il for a Bit
ASK her TO change with me-" said viii,
eagerly; "tell her | should be so glad. If
she would not mind the light there would
suit me better"
Alice consented doubifully. at seems
like desertng Willie," she said land yet
one has no right to let oneself get i'll ; tell
Mr.. Blake 1 accept his offer gratefully"
She had grown little stately in her sol
tary grief and Will stammered over his
premedltated speech. my name is Will
lie, too; couldn't you take me for your
brother ?"
"Oh, no." she answered with direct sim
plicity, "he was so naughty, the darling
never could have him out OF my thoughts
for moment"
Alice, herself, had this kind Of naught-
ness for win, and now, living in her room,
he seemed to be encompassed by her pres
ence ;~his tools and work felt rough and
coarse amidst the little dainty arrange
ments that marked woman's hand.
"If it hadn't been for knowing mother"
he unused, one evening, 81 might fall in
love, do believe; as it is, know better
$50 "knowing better" he shrank from
an intercourse that might, in some sharp
answer, bring Alice down from her pedes-
tai, on which he still chose to place her,
justifying his bright dreams TO himself by
saying, at is pleasant to make believe as
the children say"
Alice. meanwhile, had found a cheering
employment in putting Wills room
straight, as she called 1t. "Such pity,
poor man, for him to live in such a mud
die, and him so clever, too
She had found some torn drawings in the
Uttered fireplace, and carefully smoothed
them out as treasures overlooked.
VIII, coming for book, found her thus
busy, and said, smiling
"They are OF no use, l don't want them"
"They seem wonderful to me-" she said
looking up frankly.
"Ah just as women's work does TO us.
put button on my cuff, this morning,
and it is off already"
LET me sew it, | have a needle here"
Will muttered something about troub-
ling her." but she answered, ~ ought to
do anything I can, you don't know what
good the change of rooms has done me.
suppose il is like the rich ladies going out
of town."
"You have made grand Improvement
here" said VIII, looking round the same
room, the same furniture; but what had
been dreary confusion was now fair
peace.
al wish you would stay here always" lie
added.
Alice was about TO answer, 81 do not
mind" not understanding him /; but some
thing in Wills eyes made her own droop,
the little fingers trembed over their work
suddenly, Wits hand caught them. cal
ice, will you stay here ? will you let me
love you--be my wife ?"
kn Oh a,,l- Il
not-I must not"
"Why not tell me, darling"
"Mother said. when she died, Child,
never marry. Father made her so wretch
ed.'
"We are kindred in trouble, then, that is
, ALL" said win; "mother, somehow, tor
mented my father So that l resolved to
live and die alone-let us both give up ouI
; hard purposes-wil you, AllceS"
1 Wills tones pleaded better than his
= words they gained him the victory.
1 From the wreck OF the past seemed tC
r spring bright future, like the flowers
from ont of last years dead leaves.
4 BY and by there was weddings the
motherly landlady gave Alice away, ant
Will took her as the great gift of his life.
: AS they came home from church, he said
Il brightly, ave have both resigned single
blessedness, what shall we have instead p
She nestled close to him and answered
"Double bessedncss."
Peacefully and brightly the years wen
on, till even old Mr.. Blake learnt to believ,
in youth and love and happiness; more es
!, peclally, when little fairy granddaughte
y came to clasp his hand and toddIe in hi
footsteps.
. One day, when for wonder, WIZ
a sleeve had no button, he came TO his wifi
:, for her TO sew one on something in he
, attitude, as she sat before him with th
a morning sunshine on her hair, reminde'
him of that first work of hers when hi
=, love grew up almost in night.
"Do you remember the first button yo
q put on for me, like fetter round my wris
y, cunning Alice?" he said smilingly.
a. "Would you be loosed now, If yo
! ooh 'd?" she asked with tender look {
'f "Ab moi his our life is" tender mel
ry voice brokepfi pm, calling, Father p'-h
g ended, with a thanf. VI S's", i'iP'e ''eS
y edness r'-London Da5,eS ieo''
3
.a STOPPED His EARs.-The N"'N' az