Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-03

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dav, and that size would be at home Mt ON,
O'Clock; so was very busy PREPARING he,
dinner when | heard a knock nj the door
On opening it, saw servant girl. who
pale and trembling said:
"Oh, ma'am. Miss Claudia is very i'll.
and has tainted"
A mothers fear lent wings to my feet as
nlstened to the house where she was.
found Claudia better, though very
pale: She was sitting with note in her
hand, which she handed to me without a
word 1t read as follows:
"NovEMBER 9Th.
DEAR Miss LANGDoN: | am sorry to
be under the painful necessity of inform.
ing you that your father has met with n
severe accident and is now lying at
Hospital, in very low condition.
YOURS in deep sympathy,
E. TMLEsToN."
1t IS impossible to tell how much the
stricken heart can bear. had thought
my cup was full; now it was running
over.
Claudia took leave of her pupil. and af-
ter a brief preparation ut home, we set ont
Tor the hospital named in the note.
Mr.. Edward Tilleston "a handsome
Young m IN of about five and-twentv) was
the assistant house surgeon at the institu.
ton alluded to. lie was a stranger TO me
then; but not to Claudia, as it seemed. for
she had often met him at some of her
pupils houses. He now received us Mt the
hospital, and kindly preceded us to the
bedside OF my husband, who had been
Knocked down by vehicle in the street.
For weeks he fingered between life and
dealh but his good constitution, together
WIN the Kind attention and skillful practice
OF Mr.. 1llleston prevailed, and he was
soon pronounced out of danger. | may
say 1t was blessed illness, for ever after
nat he was changed man-the kind
'houg ghtful husband, the indngent father,
eschewing entirely the sins and vices
which had nearly proved his ruin.
One day Claudia came in, and noticed
traces Of tears on her cheeks. When |
questioned her, she threw her arms ronnd
my neck and hid her blushing face on NV
bosom.
"Oh, mammal said she, 81 have had
TWO such surprises that could not help
crying tears of joy. This morning, as
was gong to give my first lesson, I met
Edward Iilleston, who-what do you
think, ma nma? Well-but he's coming
himself presently to see you and papa
" Very good, my DEAR | said, " can
guess, Claudy, what it is all about. A it,
Tie bird had already whispered to me that
ne Was fond of you; and if | mistake not,
my little girl will not make an unwilling
pride. | know him to be a young man of
gool family and sterling worth. HIS faith
er, General FilIeston, used to visit us SOM.
years ago, and has always proved himself
friend to your father since his failure in
business, although | was not aware of the |
relationship until lately. But what is the
other surprise you have had this morn. |
ing?' '
" Oh, mamma! just at the very moment
was coming in,' replied Claudia, there
was II large van at the door-and some
thing had been lifted out and placed in the
p ssage-and lhere it is now, ready to be
brought up stairs. Well, | looktd-and
there was piano; and on opening it |
saw 1t was my own dear old piano! In
side was paper marked, From Mr.. Gil
more's friend Now who is Mr.. Gilmore,
and who is this friend. But at all events.
is thus not Il great surprise also mamma?'
What picture of domestic comfort WAS
our little sitting room in those long winter
evenings that followed!
Edward Tileson (who proved to be Mr.
Gllmore's fren'D spent most of his spare
time with US now, AS Claudia and he were
to be married early in the spring, and
there were arrangements to be made that
required more heads than two.
Mr.. Gilmore was introduced to us, and :
sometimes admitted to these conferences.
IS he declared he had right to be, and h.,
would prove it on the wedding day. ,
The eventual morning arrived, and with +
ta check for thousand pounds for Claudy /
md packet for myself containing NV d.
ong lost watch and engagement ring, and It
note accompanying them addressed to
ne. 1t read thus: il
my DEAR Lucy: Ever since nv h
rsend Edward Tllleston bought the ring, C
Tatcf, and piano fro II your husband (ralh. il
r than see them sacrilice'D, have cher o
shed in my heart happy secret; and that II
}, that you are my beloved sister, whom l n
id not seen for thirty long years. The te
'atch revealed it all. On returning from n
ndia year ago, determined to change d
~ ZANE for Il time, in order to test the Y,
lrmory of old friends. AS have enough n,
nd TO spare, neither you nor yours shall H
Yer know want again. in
Your loving brother. to
JOHN WARWICK. W
! am an old woman now, with sivery &C
tlr. My dear husband has lone been co