The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-12-12

The tramp woman shrsnk from
Joanna's fierce eyes. "What have l
done ?" she repeated vaguely.
"There isn't a living soul," said
Joanna, "who dares to breathe that
name to my mistress. And now -
Hush !"
Joanna !" called her mistress, i'm
peratively. ......
Obeying the summons, she found
Miss Grey sitting by the fire with little
Emily in her lap. The hoarse, peculiar
cough, never heard by nurse or mother
without thrill of alarm, told that Group
had seized its victim.
"Run for DIR. Vincent" said Miss
Grey, briefly; and in another minute
Joanna had thrown a shawl on her head
and was tramping through the star-lit
night.
| DIR. Vincent was not in his office. He
had been called to patient several
miles away. Joanna's visit had caused
little stir in the village hotel, in an
upper room OF which the doctor had his
Office; and as she was turning away
from the door, gentleman came out
and said, in pleasant, courteous tone :
eff you are in want of physician,
perhaps can be of service to you"
"Come on then, if You please, said
Joanna.
He put on his hat, said few words to
the landlord, and started in the wake of
the woman, who walked at an astonish-
ing pace.
"Who is your MISTRESS" he asked.
Miss Grey, sir" .
"Ah, indeed p with which exclama-
ton, whatever it might mean, the
stranger relapsed into silence that was
not broken until they reached the
house.
Joanna opened the door of the citing
room, and stood aside for him to pass.
"Walk in, sir" said she. And he
walked into the full glow of the fire.
light, and saw the woman sitting by the
hearth, with the child on her knee. 1t
was sound asleep now. Miss Grey had
administered quantity Of alum and
sugar, which "acted like q charm, and
little Emily slumbered peacefully on the
bosom which had grown more soft and
womanly since the baby head had
nestled there. ... ..,s.. a.
"The tramp-wonan stood behind
Miss Grey's chair. As the tall figure in
the doorway stepped into the light, there
came cry Of surprise and terror from
the strange woman, and smothered
gasping sound from Miss Grey. And
then, for the first time in her life, Joanna
thought her mistress was going TO faint,
she looked 30 white and stricken, all at
once. r. .
"Miss Grey" said the stranger, in q
voics that trembled perceptibly, per
haps you recall my nameS I was told
that You needed doctor, and as Dr.
VINCENT was absent, I cene to offer my
services, But / was not aware at the
time that l was about to intrude upon
you, madam. y t... ..-.,-.,.i,,i.-..
Miss Grey lifted her head, :" ] thank
You |" she said, trying to speak in the
regal tone that WIS her own" believe
the danger is pest, and / can happily
dispense with your services"
She did not ask him to be seated,
and he still stood with hot in hand, look
ing upon her with an expression half
proud, half pleading. She drew the
child to her breast with gesture that
said, as plainly as though her lips had
spoken it." You shall not touch her. I"
The tramp-woman came forward step
or two. looking from one to the other,
and spoke, as though the words came
without any volition of hers:
"The child is his, lady" a. v..
The stranger looked at her in a kind
OF stupor of surprise, that gave way in a
moment to eager excitement. ..s.
Martha Elsonr' he calculated
quickly but before he could utter any
thing more, Miss Grey had risen to her
feet, and stood before them with fash
ing eyes.
"What did YOU Say, woman ?" she
cried 6ercely.
"This is his baby ma'am, answered
Martha, who had grown calmer and
turning to him, she added 81 can
prove it to you, DIR. Westmore. This is
the child that my young mistress gave
to me when she died."
"Tell me the Whole story, Martha, q
he said brokenly. /" God knows I have
sought you far and wide, but never
thought to find you here tonight" !"
She told him then. Miss Grey had sunh
into her seat again, and Joanna, stridine
across the room, stood at the back oi
her mistress ehair. DIR. Westmort
stood with folded arms to listen, his face
growing paler, and indescribably tender
and mournful as she proceeded, The
little Emily lay still like fair carved
cherub, her golden hair falling in a shin
ing silken mesh over Miss Grey's som
ber dress. Her foster-mother gaze(
steadfastly upon the beautiful face, ant
4 her lips trembled.
4 When the woman had ended her story
Dr.. Westmore came nearer and looket
down Upon the bowed head.
4 Theodore" he said, Twill you le
me look at my child"
She lifted her face, and the proud eye
fell before his mournful gaze.
"Are you going to take her fron
me ?" she faltered,
mo"