Litchfield enquirer., 1877-07-05

So the day come. too soon for all of them. on which he started out from the shelter of his quiet home into the wide and lonely world. Mrs. Leigh had given over fretting and worrying. and was learn ing to be thankful for the years they had had together already-for the years in which Philip issEestlssa feet had been sat1 isfed with their trivial daily round. She did not cry at all when she stood at night fall, straining his eyes out into the dark. ness to see the last outline of his dim fig ure on the open common-straining her ears to catch the distant echo of his foot fall; but quaint fancy came to her, as she looked up at the evening star, as to how the life she had planned out for him might have had something star like in it. might have been inst as high and clear and still above the turmoil of this trouble some world-might have been, like it, 6 focus to which all eyes could have turned and had their way ightened; but she shivered as she stood in the doorway. and was glad to go in and draw Phihp's chair up into the light of the lamp. and talk to Eleanor of her boy. 69sss 4ss5t
 So the time crept on to the harvest; and the autumn saddened into winter; and the birds left of singing; and the dead leaves lay foot deep in Eversham woods-and' Philip came home as he had promised.
 But not to stay. 'sHis work was not finished" he said-''it would want anoth- CT month or two" but he looked so we'll and happy, and was so hopeful and bright that they made very merry party on Christmas-day; and when he said good-by, they all felt that the time would not be SO very long before they met again. s.
 II shall be down on Tuesday night, '" he wrote, "beeause mean to show my model at the Agricultural Show on We'd nesday. It's all finished and patented, mother, and think will be success; on- ly don't think too much of it, for hardly expect prize, as other people are sure to see SO many improvements that might be made in it.' ... ....-
 So he wrote; and on Tuesday evening he followed his letter, and the model was p. jaway in the barn, under sacking, un- till the eventful morning. His mother had no turn for instruments, so she said she would be quite satisfied to see it at the show; but Eleanor Gray went out at night, and held the candle while Philip pointed out use and work of the beauti- ful; finished implement, over which he had toiled for years.
 ''I shall go to the show early" he said, s'but yon had better come later, for the prizes are not given until twelve o'clock. Don't say any thing to mother," he went on; ''but, Nell, Nell, I do hope such great things from to morrow. Have I your good wishes, Nell ? have fancy that you would wish me well.''
 "Indeed you have, said Eleanor; and she stretched out her two soft hands and laid them in his, and they were both quiet for minute, until Eleanor said, with a shy laugh, ''And I have fancy loo, Philip that tomorrow will be very triumphant day to you.'
 ''To us all, he corrected. ,.
 .'To us all."
 It was grand day at all events, and the neighbors, far and near, were gather ed together to do honor to the annual Agricultural Show; and by eleven o'clock Dame Leigh had pus on her Sunday silk dress, and her soft white handkerchief, and her widows bonnet, and was walking quietly across the fields with Eleanor Gray. .s .....,.t ...-....,.s.. .......... ....
 II feel little nervous, Nell, ;" she said, when they got to the gate where the tick cts were taken. "Philip was anxious this morning. could see, so hope they'll mo- tice the lads work"
 "I hope so," said Eleanor. gently. She always spoke quietly, but there was a scarlet flush on white checks that belied the stiffness of her voice, and made her look almost beautiful.
 The first words they heard on the field were a disappointment. ''The prizes were given an hour ago." the man said who opened the gate to them "No, Mrs. Leigh, don'rk know who got the first for the implements, but they're all in a line up there-ticketed. Young Mir. Leigh !? Oh, he's down with the crowd wonder, watching the horse jumping.
 ''Shall we go to Philip" said Mrs Leigh, anxiously, Cor shall we look at the tickets for ourselves tell me, Nell"
 "Oh, the instruments" said Eleanor, decidedly; so they left the crowd far away on their left, and went up to the long line of agricultural implements, on whose forks and blades the sun was shining down in flashes of light. .a,
 At first they looked at every ticket, un- til Mrs. Leigh grew. Hurried and nervous. and they found that they were getting on terribly, slow. TIT. =. .
 ''I shall not look at one more, Nell. '" she said, ''until I come to Philips, and then I shall know the worst at once. You have seen it, my dear. What is it like ?"
 ''Do you see bright scarlet thing at the very top?'' said Eleanor. 'sThat is Philips Model, Mrs. Leigh; let us go on to it straight
 So they walked quietly up the line of implements, keeping the scarlet model steadily before them. And at last they stood beside it, and looked across it at one another. The ticket had fallen for ward, so that the number was hidden, and Eleanor's eyes grew dazzled as she looked at the brilliant red.
 Turn it over, Nell, said Mrs. Leigh. nervously; my hand shakes"
 Eleanor's hand did not shake at all. She stretched it out and turned great black l. that stood staring at them from the centre of the white. 4, se..-.
 ''1st prize P said Mrs. Leigh, with sud- den tears in her eyes.
 II knew it," said Eleanor, under he1 breath. s<.
 ."Are you proud of him now ?" said Sir James Garnet, ten minutes later. as he stood beside Mrs. Leigh and the model. 'It's a wonderful thing"
 ''I'm very glad, sad Mrs. Leigh. tear. fully; ''it's commoner kind of thlng than wished for him Sir James, but I'm glad he's done we'll"
 Common ?" said Sir James; 'sI don't know about that Have you been it work. Mrs. Leigh?' It's the very perfection of workmanship. Why the lads genius l"
 A genius ! : Quick as light the remembrance flashed through Mrs. Leigh of summer morning fve-and-twenty years ago, when little Philip made vow over his torn copy. book. It showed her. by the light of that one word, her years of unavailing fretting and wasted regret-her vain attempts to turn his talents into other grooves, and alter the work of his life And now, as Sir James said. his genius had grown and fourished above and through it all.
 My dear boy" she sasd, turning irn- petuously round toward him. ''you must forgive me for having tired to thwart you all your ife-for having hated your mod els as have done. was so ignorant, Philip" a1
 "Well, he's all right now," said the Squire, heartily; ''and, bless me, Mrs. Leigh. how like his father he IS. to be