Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-19

makes noises in the chimney, and lie awake
at night and listen. It's like n voice. and it
says, Alone alone alone" and groans and
frightens me awfully."
Il don't think it says that exclaimed Miss
AIallows, with a sudden inspiration. at says
a home n home homen That's what
wind always seems to me to say in homely old
chimneys like these" Then she thought to
herself, Shall I ? or shan't Il | hate preach
ing, and l hate meddling; but there's a
chance to do bit of good maybe, and-yes
I'll risk it.
Now listen to me, dear" she went on
aloud, softening her voice as If to child
This is what think about your position. 1t
seems to me that you are Just at the point
when you must decide for yourself whether
you'll be happy woman or an unhappy one
for the rest of your life"
How What do you meanI'
''Why, you were lonely girl, you know,
with no real home of your own, and here a
good man has come along and taken you into
his. He loves you dearly now, and you have
a great deal of influence over him. and can do
pretty much as you like nor J, but how long
will that last if you go on crying and being
unhappy and showing how little you care for
him 2"
Il don't know, whispered the bride, faint
ly.
Then you are married, you know You
have given promise, and must keep it. even
if it makes you sorry. Promises are solemn
things. But think you can keep it and be
happy too. And in strikes me you have
chance to do a most beautiful thing"
What is that" wonderingly.
"7o make up 10 good man ,rAO lores you
far a hdrd, hard thing IN his hte. Think how
dreadful it must always have been for your
husband, with his clever mind and fine face,
to feel himself in one respect inferior to the
stupidest lnborer who works in his fields 1t
must have hurt him cruelty always. and if he
were not a sweet-hearted person by nature, it
must have made him hard and sour Now,
for the first time, something delightful has
come into his life. He has married you. and
it seems to me such a chance as few women
have to be able to be so much to any one as
you can be to him. And-don't think want
to preach but God always blesses those who
try to do right, and if you make your husband
| happy, think He will bless you and make
you happy too
Her eyes ran over as she ended her little
speech.
Felicia! - sounded from below-'F Felicia,
we ought to be going"
Must you goy" cried Mrs. Dalrymple, sit
ting up in bed Thank you ever 80 much
forget yOu-never. Oh-what's your name 2"
''Felicia-Felicia Mallows. Good-by. dear
and don't forget that the wind in the chimney
never says Alone when two people who care
for each other are together" Then they said
good-by. Il shall come again if l can before
| leave" declared Miss Mallows. Old Sally,
coming up to hasten her movements. was as
tonished to see thG two exchange a kiss.
why, whatever has she done to the Gre
tur:' she muttered. as the pony-wagon rolled
away. She looks twice as alive as she did
aforc they came
We drop tiny seed into the ground, or We
watch a winged messenger detach itself and
| float away on its separate errand, and we are
scarcely conscious that with the act a new Sc
| quence of energies aud possibilities began,
and the world is the richer for a fresh point
of growth. Felicia Mallows had no chance
for another visit to the Dalrymple farm that
autumn. and IT was two years before she saw
il again, during which time the image of the
oddly circumstanced little bride faded into
the dim distance, as images will in this over
crowded world. Another visit to Patunxet
| revived it into sudden life.
Whatever became of that little neighbor
of yours who married young girl Z" she ask
ed Mrs. Lenox. 1T was when was last here.
She was sick. Don't you recollect our going
there =
Yes, now that you recall it, l do and the
! unconscionable time you staid up stairs in her
bedroom. l believe she is we'll Her baby
was baptized few Sundays ago"
Have they baby"
Yes; a little girl By-the-way-" Mrs.
Lenox was called off. and did not finish her
sentence. Next day Miss Nallows borrowed
the pony wagon for a solitary drive.
Il want to see my little friend, Mrs. Dal-
| rvnr,la ~ sha ayploinaI. '.and supnociuu bar
to be up stairs, you might get tired of old
Sally"
Thank you, my dear, l should. You are
welcome to the pony"
1t was September as mild rs June and
when Miss Maows drove through the farm
gate, she saw its mistress sitting in the porch,
her sleeping baby in its wagon beside her,
and her sewing in her hands. She dropped
it with start of JOY when she caught sight
of her guest.
1T is y0u :" she cried. "Oh, l am SO glad ."
Is there any fattery equal to that YOU"
You haven't forgotten me, then z" said
Felicia.
"Oh no how could forget? You came
when l was all sick and miserable, and lifted
me right out of it. There's never been day
since when l haven't thought of you"
Then you are sick and miserable no long
err" said Miss AIallOws, with second kiss.
That is happy news"
"Oh no am quite contented now Da-
vid is ever so good to me, and think more
of him every day. And then there's my ba-
| by"
Let me see her. What n sweet little face"
Isn't it :" with an exultant smile. and
she's much prettier with her eyes open.
They're not blue they're dark gray, like her
fathers, and just lovely. And l named her
after you. Felicia Davida that's her name.
| How | wish he was here I've told him heaps
about you. He's over in the field yonder
with the hay-cutters. They do twice as well
if he sits by and looks after them"
Dear Mrs, Dalrymple, how glad am to
see you again! And to think of naming your
baby after me!'
"0h, wanted to. You were so good TO me
that day. All you said to me came true.
couldn't think more of David than l do now
if he was as tau as Goliath. He's little, but
he's got the biggest heart. That's right ba-
| by; wake up and tell the lady that papa is
the best man in the world He is, isn't he !:
Did you hear her? She said yes"
-Hdrber'S Bdzdr