Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-01-13
it is time you were at school, if You nre

it is time you were at school, if you are
over to go!'
"Away from you?"
~ am going to Paris"
Utter blank misery fell over the child's
face.
"To Paris?" she whispered, with
white, shaking lips.
"Yes, Trixy, for three years. You
will be quite woman when / come
back"
"Yes," faint and shuddering.
"And / must get you away from
here.
No easy task, as Martin Bruce soon
discovered. He was not rich man,
though his salary rs mn engraver was
very good one, and it required some per-
sonal sacrifice to carry out his plans for
Trixy. Mrs. Hayes would not part with
her slave, except for consideration y
and after this was accomplished, diff
Guilty was found in selecting a school in
which to place her. But at last one was
found in n small country town, and Trixy
most sincerely promised to study dill
gently, and prove herself worthy of the
kindness bestowed upon her.
The parting was sore wrench, but
Martin Bruce was happy in the con-
sciousness that he had done all for the.
child that lay in his power. For four
years his letters from Trixy proved her
rapid progress in every study she under
took, her unchanging gratitude to her
benefactor. Then she wrote that she had
been offered situation to travel with an
invalid lady, and would probably be in
Paris before the letter had been there
many days. Every line of this commu-
nicaton was full of gratitude for the OPP
portunities given the little waif for cul-
ture and happiness, and the sense of
pleasure it gave her to be no longer an
idle burden to her benefactor.
$50 ends that chapter !" the young
man said, half sadly, as he folded the
closely written sheet. "My wild bird
has left her nest, and must try her wings
alone. Well, It's best so, as things
threaten !"
And tho strong right hand was passed
YEARLY over the large blue eyes, with q
deep sigh.
Two years later, in hotel at Nice,
beautiful girl, dressed in deep mourn
ing, and an elderly woman, who seemed
n sort of confidential servant, were seat
ed upon the wide piazza, watching the
groups who passed and repassed in
large public square opposite to where
they were placed.
Suddenly the girl, who had been care
lessly scanning the many unfamiliar
faces, grasped her companions arm, say
ing: "Do you know who that is p
pointing, as she spoke, to tall man,
with a shade over his eyes, who was seat
ed upon bench in the square.
eyes, ma'amselle," said the servant,
in French, "that is the blind gentle
man who is here under the care Of Dr.
Bonnaire. But is it not dreadful? SO
handsome-so strong-and hopelessly
blind !"
Hopelessly blind ?"
$50 they say He was injured by the
work that he did, fine work that tried his
eyes. do not know what it was And
he came here to DIR. Bonnaire, hoping to
be cured. But it is useless He can
never see again"
The young lady addressed rose as her
servant spoke, and crossing the piazza,
stepped lightly down the steps and
straight to the bench upon which the
blind man was seated. Without preface,
without introduction, she said: "I think, |
sir, 1 recognize you as q gentleman who
placed child in school in Connecticut
some years ago-a school where I was q .
teacher for some time"
"The sightless eyes were turned
quickly toward the speaker.
81 was deeply interested in such
child. Can you give me any tidings of
her?"
"She left the school to travel with
Mrs. Elwyn, an elderly lady in feeble
health. Before she had been six months
with Mrs. Elwyn that lady was convinced
that she had found the child of a very dear
sister, who had eloped from home years
before, and whose life and death had been
ever shrouded in mystery. Further in
qui1y only confirmed the facts, as the
child remembered them and when Mrs.
Elwyn died here, in Nice, six months
ago, she left her entire property to Bea-
trice Moore, her niece"
"Then Trixy is IN heiress?'
eyes. It was one of the marvellous
of Providence we dare call
accident that took Mrs. Elwyn to the
school. There Trixy's strong resemblance
to her lost sister first attracted her notice,
and she inquired about her. Finding
she was anxious to obtain employment,
she engaged her as companion for a
European trip"
81 am very glad Do you know where
she is ?"
A little hand fell lightly upon one lying .
On the knee of Martin Bruce, and his was
lifted to touch soft, round cheek. A
voice, low and tender, said, very softly:
'' Have you forgotten me?"
"Trixy !" he exclaimed. 81 have never
'orgotten you. But you are no longer
jhe little child 1 left six years ago."
"No," was the half mournful answer.
g 1 am woman now. But you will not
send me from you. You will let me re-
main beside you, and be your eyes and
lands?'
"Ah, Trixy, no! Your youth and
)eauty-fOr know Won are bea1,tiful-