Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-06-28

[
forts 20 explain the relationship.
Is She very sick ?"
Pretty bad Dick answered, cheerfnlly.
bcstowing a close scrutiny upon the loaf
that was handed to him " Y0u don't make
these yer as big as we do"
You needn't bring 10 back, Lydia in-
formed him, pleasantly.
"Ncil,"-he turned on his heel uncon-
ccrnodly, and vanished through The door
again.
Were you afraid he would repay it2"
Nell asked, With a suug Of her shoulders.
81 should be afraid II he did-with any
Of Uucle petos baking laughed Lydia.
Dear me wonder if he does the whole
cooking for the family-sick woman, chill
dren aud all "
The curtains having been taken down,
must be replaced and though Bridget proved
successful in washing them, lydia, fastid-
ious young housekeeper that she was would
trust no Celtic fingers with ironing and
hanging them. Her zeal and tact exceeded
her physical strength however. so the cur
tains looked very fresh and cool when they
were hung, aud she very warm and tired
She was glad 10 lie down upon the sofa and
/ rest for an hour, watching. meanwhile, the
/ little house over the street. The two small
| faces pressed close to the window. surveying
/ their now surroundings with roundeyed
wonder; the older and paler face further
back in the room was only visible occasion
ally, as ii was lifted from its pillow, and
Uncle Pete passing in aud out in a slow,
solemn way, awkwardy intent upon various
household matters interested, amused and
touched her Again she said earnestly TO
Nell
What an uncomfortable place TO be sick
iu. We really must 60 and see her "a soon
as we can find chance Perhaps we might
help or cheer her in some way"
They grew quite accustomed, during the
next day or two, 90 Dicks visits. lie came
now upon one ernnd. now upon another,
aud sometimes with so nearly none at all,
/ that Lydia ianoied liking TO come was his
| chief motive"
How is Nan. this morning ?" she asked
/ once, when the black eyes looked in upon her
| AS she stood by table covered with all the
materials for cake making.
Worse guess like as anyway" was the
rather uncertain reply. the eyes rather too in
tent upon the process Of beating eggs to II
froth to even look up.
mean to come and see her, some day"
Well" lie waited minute, and then
/ volunteered the information" She looks
over here lots when she's sittin' up; she says
she likes tor
The vision of a sad, weary sufferer, watch
ing with sad longing thoughts, a bright,
pleasant home, that told so plainly of a diff
fcrent and happier lot, lifted through I.ydia's
! mind. Did this woman feel such things
in any way as she should she questioned,
| glancing down at her wrapper, as if meditat-
ing the propriety of running over then, as
she was The next moment her eyes rested
| upon the tahle-oakes. pies and all sorts of
| Injuries TO be conjured up, and company
coming the next day. She really had not
/ time
"Dick," she said, producing glass Of
/ tempting Jelly, "wil you carry this over to
| Nan Maybe she will like it,
"All of us like them," answered Dick, re-
| garding it with evident favor.
Yes but this is for Nan, because she
| is sick"
Don't ye never eat 'em when We amt
sick = questioned Dick, curiously.
4 provoking query
Sometimes" answered Lydia, briefly.
"Well, III take 'em over" Dick picked
it up carelessly, as if he had lost his interest
in it, and departed slowly.
We do good to our fellow-mortals from
far higher motive than any expectation OF
gratitnde--at least we think we do-=yet
anything like unthankfulness often stops
our efforts as eifeotually a if its reverse
had been the sole and only fruit we were
laboring for In her slight yexation, lydia
lost. almost unconsciously, any desire to pay
her promised visit that day. Such odd
queer people they must be, if Dick was any
specimen She would 60 sometime, when
She could, but it was scarcely likely they
would care much about it, any way
The oven and high culinary art accom-
plished wonders that day and Lydia viewed
her trophies with complacent eye. She
had succeeded in carrying out her plans, and
preparing for her guests in her own dainty
aud peculiar fashion and she was now quite
satisfied and ready TO receive them. Her
hospitality was always graceful, and Brante
felt proud of her and of his cosy nest of a
home. as he introduced the strangers there.
If the wise, spectacled gentlemen" from
whose appreciation Nell had expected so lit
tie, did not admiringly notice all the little
details, they felt the pleasant effect of the
whole, and enjoyed themselves immensely.
The convention was n grand success
largo, animated, with many speakers who
pointed out eloquently what ought to be done,
and few who designated briefly some
things worth doing aud they were all en-
thusiastic in the cause, and delighted TO be
together. They had three days of hearty
good time. and resolved unanimously, that
the town which had received them was one
of the most desirable of places for such a
convocation, and its people entitled to all
thanks for their gracious and cordial hospi-
tality. None expressed this feeling more
warmly than the guests of Brante Garnet,
and so pleasant had the brief acquaintance
proved, that the parting was almost that of
friendship.
"And now" said Branle, when Lydia had
watched the retreating forms with more re-
grct in her face than she could have believed
possible few days before" Now shall
send round carriage, and you, Nell, and
the baby must go out for an airing. Why
you have been kept in doors all this week"
II was rest, that long. quiet drive in the
golden sunlight, and soft sweet air, with no
thought of hurry, but a thorough yielding Ia
rest aud enjoyment. They passed out into
lonely, lovely country roads, away from all
the noise and hustle, and talked dreamily, as
they loved to talk, of how strangely human
lives minge of what is meant to us and Il
others by these liie-paths that just touch fol
littlo, and then separate SO widely-thesC
stories Of which single chapter is bound
with onr own, and of which we never read the
ending. The bright hours slipped softly
away ana Il rosy uuAh IN tie west nNu tahci
the place OF the sunlight when they reached
home again-a fair home in a lovely world
Dick stood on the steps.
Well z" Lydia said, gently, feeling
p peace with all the earth in this holy calm o
the sunset.
s tried to get in two or three times be
s fore but you was going away" explained
p. the boy "'rhs time seen you comm an
/ waited. Mans dead
/ Dead " Nell paused in the doorway
! the child in her arms.
I "uncle Pete wanted things fixed up de
| cent like, he said he did and he guessed
you'd let him have sheet and clean whit,
I piller There's woman there-she wa.
goiu' by AN come in-she said them's the
things we wanted"
Silently Lydia selected the articles he
asked for
/ 81 will come in few minutes and see II
there is anything more can do she said
Then she went aud stood by the window.
I Lydia" said Nil, little doubtiully,
3 know what you are thinking, dear but, after
all, you mustn't make too much Of it. She
G was a stranger and you were so busy; you
! didn't know she was so very ILL., II might
, all have happened with anybody just as it
! has with you; il is no uncommon thing"
"That is Just it I" Lydia answered