Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-20

the truth, her store might have been closed
all day, so far as business was concerned,
for they had actually done nothing.
"Ill be mistress Of the situation yet"
said the little milliner, as she ordered the
blinds put up. Her plan was formed, and
she appealed TO Mrs. WOLF a widowed
friend, who had mint of money lying
useless in the bank, TO furnish her with
capital.
The widow listened TO Dorothea's project,
but raised her hands in horror at the alb
surdity, and exclaimed: "Dorothes Drake,
think you have lost your senses. You, a
woman, TO harbor the thought of erecting a
six.story-store, and going against big
company like the Joneses 1 should do
wrong TO give you dollar to squander in
such way. You see times have changed,
and the small milliners must give in TO the
big ones"
"That is TO say, the seven kline, in the
shape of Jones & Co., and other large firms,
who are dipping into business heretofore
conducted by women, are TO devour us,
and we must submit TO the swallowing
without resistance" said Dorothea.
"Snce the world began might has con-
quered right, and, however woman may
rant and rave, don't look for speedy
change. The best, in fact the only thing
for you TO do, in my opinion, is TO leave
what money you have in the bank, sell off
your goods, give up your store, and take
position under Jones & Co., or some other
man milliner, on a salary. You might
command good wages, / should judge,
from your experience"
After delivering her opinion, Mrs. Wolf
smoothed the folds of her Grape robe, and
settled back in her easy chair.
Dorolhea's face reddened and palcd by
turns. She looked searchingly into the
calm face of tue widow and asked, as that
your advice TO me- Mrs. Wolf?"
at is, and you will do well to follow it,
child"
"Don't call me child! / arrived at years
Of discretion long ago. As 10 your advice,
would not follow il TO save me from the
poorhouSe; for, however l may fall short
of the end to which l hope 10 attain,
know shall, with Gods help, do good to
some poor struggling woman"
Disappointed, but not disheartened, Dor
othea made a second call on wealthy lady,
and with the same result. zone more re-
buff, and I'll try the opposite sex - said
she TO herself as she made her third call.
Mrs. Amy was at home, and Dorothea was
shown into the plain parlor. As the tall,
guant figure rose to receive her, and Doro-
thea looked up into the hard gray eyes, she
felt the utter hopelessness Of the appeal :;
yet it was made, and those cold eyes rested
calmly on Dorothea's face as though she
was speaking the truth, when she said, al
am sorry l have no money at my disposal.
If your scheme Is really good one, there
are plenty who will furnish the capital"
For minute Dorothea looked her stead
lily in the face, then said "What if this
night God should require your soul of you? :?
Would not those who came after you find
money lying useless in your well secured
safe Gliiiering gold. Yet 1t will shed no
light on the dark path from this 10 the
future world. Remember this, Jane Amy;
remember my words"
The rich woman stood staring in surprise
at Dorothea, who passed out Of the door
ere she could collect herself 10 reply.
81 ought to have turned her out of the
house; and 1 will, too, if she ever pre-
su mes TO call again." said the indignant Ia
dy; but she failed 10 keep her word.
One short week and she lay in her coffin.
1t was the mistress of the mansion who had
been turned out, not by an earthly potent
ate, but by the will of One from whose di-
vine commands there is no escape; and
DorOthea Drake again crossed the thresh-
old, to attend the funeral.
With the small group gathered there sat
Harry Hart, himself the only mourner, a
nephew of the deceased. Though he had
not counted on it, it came TO him the half
million his aunt had so zealously hoard
ed. The jolly captain OF the "Plover" was
henceforth TO bear the burden of fortune.
In childish days Harry Hart and Doro-
thea Drake had been schoolmates but they
had not met for years until now, and the
coffin of Jane Amy was between them.
Though their eyes often met during the
solemn ceremony, no sign of recognition
passed between them; and when "dust had
been consigned to dust" aud Dorothea
walked slowly back TO her shop, Harry
returned TO the dismal mansion thinking
over the past. He had parted in anger
from his aunt years ago, without her knowl-
edge, shipping as second mate on board
vessel bound for the East. Time had
brought changes TO them both. His aunrs
property had increased rapidly in value,
but Harry had grown neither frugal nor
rich, though he returned TO his native city
gof, Of N
in the harbor. His great desire was to
make reparation for the hasty words that
had parted Them, land then put TO sea with
clear conscience" he said but alas when
he arrived at the well-remembered man
sion the Grape. scarf at the bell-knob told
him LIE was too late TO crave her forgive
ness. The fortune she had left him he felt
he did not deserve. 1t seemed To have
brought a leaden weight TO his heart,
crushing out all happy thoughts and aspira-
tions.
~ would rather founder at sea than live
in this dungeon" said he 10 the old house
keeper. "If you don't like to stay here
alone, lock up the old shell as for me, Pm
OF to the 'Plover."
Sauntering in a careless manner along
one of the principal streets, his eye fell up
on some black-bordered handkerchiefs in
a shop window, and going in to purchase
some, he was again brought face to face
with Dorothea Drake. Shaking her warm
ly by the hand, he dropped, without invi-
talion, into the seat she had just vacated,
saying, 81 made lucky blunder for once,
Dora. call you by the schoolgirl name.
you see, for it recalls old times"
"Aud report says you are now one of the
richest men in Hubbubble, Harry" re-
marked Dorolhea, as she put up the parcel
L 4 L IL