Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-08

j horse; for she was looking intently at
n face in the carriage-.the face that ha
: stood out distinctly in her mind throuo
nine weary months, in sunny fram,
against the background of gloom an
miSery-the face of the lady who ha
ridden into Grosvenor Square on that he
July day. With cry that Dick did nc
hear, she stopped her head and darte
swiftly under the ratings into the road
She heard the ring of the hoofs besid
her. smothered exclamation, and clat
ter on the road rs q horse was reinet
sharply up on her right hand; but whel
she glanced up with frightened, wistfu
eyes. and saw it was the doctor, she ius
nodded her head, re-assured; and he look
ing after her. saw her dart between tn,
line of carriages, and spring up on to the
steps of the Victoria.
The lady in it was leaning back talking
to young man on the other side, and sht
paused abruptly as Polly's eager face cam'
on to a level with her own, and turned
toward her; while the young man put NJ
an eyeglass. the better to suppress the
audacious beggar, just as Polly brought
her hand out of her pocket, and cast the
hihNtSch oAiiiIliSo anu slApcuCc lHIO Tile
lady's lap.
It's the change. she said. breathlessly.
What change, said the lady, with sud-
den shy blush rising to her face, as she
SAW people beginning to collect. and whis-
per and stare-as she saw the doctor, who
had dismounted and was leading his horse,
stand beside Polly with an amused smile
on his face.
Don't laugh, Paul she said to him, half
laughing herself. What is it all about?
don't understand.
Nor do |, he said: but that is little
patient of mine, Margaret. Come Miss
Polly, l thought you were so poor-where
did the money come fromp
Don't you remember? said Polly, turn
ing her sweet perpexed face on the other
beautiful face beside her. A day last Julyp
1t was in Grosvenor Square, and you were
riding chestnut horse with white stock
ings, and you gave Dick-that's him yon-
der, my brother-a sixpence to post II let
ter but it was sovereign, and we kept
the change to give you.
The lady sat quiet for ~ minute. with
her eyes bent down and her delicate GLOW
ed hands touching one after another the
shillings that lay in her lap: then she
raised her eyes, that looked sweeter than
ever, with just the shadow of tears in
them, and said, giving u quick glance
round, and then looking straight past
every one ut the doctor, Why Paul, it was
nine months ago-and l never missed it!
They were all quiet for minute, while
Polly stood looking from one to another,
wondering and perplexed. Then the doc
tor touched her and said, Come Miss
Polly, We shall have you i'll again. | am
going to put you and the boys into cab
and send you home. Good bye, Margaret,
until tonight. He spoke in different
voice when he turned to the sweet face
and shining eyes, and he did not call her
" Lady Margaret as other people did. for
he was going to be married to her in three
days.
Well, that was the end or rather the be.
ginning in many ways, for PolIy-for there
was no want or misery or loneliness for
her any more; and Dickie, in after wears.
used to say their fortunes turned on the
day when the lady rode into Grosvenor
Square with the letter.
But Polly on her knees sometimes
thanks God for the temptation she resisted
one miserable night in winter-for who
else knows, or can ever know, how great
the temptation was? and loyal Polly
ignores or has forgotten how nearly Dick
fell into the temptation Loo.--Ha,pcr's |
Weekly.