Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-06

wrists of Tom Smith and his daughter, who
had rushed 10 his side.
"How-how do you know thisH" he
gasped.
IAN hour after you left my office, let
ter from Australia was delivered-it was
written by a magistrate in Melbourne, and
was to the effect that our late cashier, Rob
ert Wilmot, having received fatal injury
through being run over in the streets, in
his last moments made a deposition before
helegal authorities that your son was inno-
cent, that he himself had appropriated the
moneys of the firm, and in order TO con-
ceal his own delinquencies was compelled
10 fix the guilt upon some one else. The
official papers will arrive by next mail.
Abel, believe me, no person is more re-
joiced at this Intelligence than myself"
The old man was in tears-be could not
speak, but the pressure he gaveth extend
ed hand evinced his belief in Baker, jun
ior's sincerity.
"Aud Abel" continued the new conner,
"it gives me great pleasure-more pleasure
than 1 can tell you-to hand you back your
80 pounds. Both my father and myselfre re-
solved never to touch penny of 1t; If you
had died before you were satisfied you had
discharged the sum, we should have hand
ed over the money 10 your daughter.
am delighted, however, to give ii to you
personally and, If you will come to our
Office to. o.norrow, will hand you over the
per cent interest which has accrued since
the irst payment. Good-by, Abel. 1 feel
myself an intruder now. Good-by, and
heaven bless you, my honest fellowr'
Baker, Junior, who seemed with every
word 10 become thicker and thicker in his
ulterance, then placed in Abel's lap small
canvas bag, which gave forth chinking
sound, and once again heartily wringing
the old mans hand, bounced from the
room, ere any one could bid him farewell.
"Polly, Polly" whispered Abel, 'gve
me that work box"
The girl knew what he wanted, and
placed the box before him. She saw his
fingers draw from its contents of precious
relics Of bygone days a tiny baby's shoe
which had never belonged to her. The
old man held it within his hands, and, af-
ter gazing at it for few seconds, drew it
reverenlly TO his lips, and murmured /:
"My boy innocent, my boy innocent! Oh,
that he had lived 10 see this dayl'
Tom Smith stole his arm around the
waist of his betrothed and drew her TO the
window. They raised the blind, and look
ing out witnessed the heavens resplendent
with myriad stars and a bright crescent
shaped moon.
"Polly, dear, said Tom, OTIS the first day
OF the new moon. You ought 10 wish,
and what you wish Is sure 10 come true"
"Is at, Tom?" replied the girl, with q
wistful, trusting look in her eyes that made
him draw her still nearer to him. "Do
you know l have watched for the new
moon and wished regularly the same thing
for many months past?"
"And what was your wish, Polly ?" in
qured Tom. archly. II think he knew, al
though he pretended to be quite ignorant.)
"Ob, if were 10 tell you now, the charm
might fail. Ask me, dear, when the next
new moon comes, and perhaps I'll tell you
my WISH"
"Theu, darling, we shall be man and
wife," His voice had sunk TO a whisper
but it reached her ears, and, when the
words ceased, her head sank upon his
shoulder. The fire in the CRATE died away
| the candle upon the table 1ickered, and al
length went out but, with its last ray, II
showed the old man wrapt in the contem.
plation of his precious relic, and the two
lovers-one in heart aud mind-still gaz-
ing upon the splendor of the star-checked
armament. TTnsley's Magazine,