Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-27

heart was full Of pity for the little creature
beside him, and he was already debating in
his mind various plans for her relief.
"What chill there is in the air tonight :"
he said rousing himself His overcoat was
hardly protection, and he thought with dis
may how his companion must be shiverng
under her thin shawl.
"Well, here we are, Miss Mint l must be
of to the Office. Sit 10y the fire till you are
thoroughly warm, and tell our landlady to
make you something hot and comforting; /
see you have cold coming on
"rhonk you, Mr.. barley you are quite a
DOCTOR" laughed Ellen. II hope it hasn't
taken you out Of your way coming home with
me-"
"Oh. it won't take me ten minutes to walk
to the Office " said Caleb Good night, Miss
Mint, and he walked briskly away.
Caleb barley was between thirty-seven and
thirty -cght--a big, broad -shouldered giant of
a man, with strongly Unmarked features, pro-
fusion Of sandy hair and an expression Of
mingled good-nuturc and determination. He
has had to fight his own way in life since lie
was twelve years old, but the battle, though
a tough one. has never made him forgetful Of
the suierings Of others.
II wonder, Norah, how long Miss Mint
means to keep this upE'
"Kape what up, maam y
"Why, lying in bed this way, and to be
waited on Ike a lady. don't doubt she's as
well as am"
'Well, guess you wouldn't say 10, ma'am,
if you was to see her. She can't speak above
a whisper. and is as white as the wall. As for
waiting on, it's not much she gets Of it, poor
thing, for Bridget and has our hands full al
ready
WHATS the matter with her Z" spoke out
Caleb, from corner, where lac sat reading
the newspaper lie had been away for three
days and only returned the night before.
"Sakcs alive Mr.. barley, are you there =
said Mrs. Starkweathcr, l!,tle startled. u
never saw you. What's the matter with Miss
Mint, did on say Oh, shes gotta bad cold,
aud SO have ], but can't 90 10 bed, for all
That
Il, she rery III, Eorah - asked Caleb, as
li, Mudlaiy houuccd out Of the roo!A in quest
OF something.
'Iudado. Sir. you'd think 80 if you saw
her. said Eoi4h. low ring her voice that her
mistr,, ,s might not hear. Its my belief the
poor thing won't get over it. Her lungs and
throat is that sore she can scarcely breathe (;
and her room Us cold Us al outdoors, and the
water % hump of ice IN her pitcher this morn
ing DO my best for her but it's a sin and
a shame the way Miss Starkweath,r treats her
sh, $ 40 more frpiin' than my shoe
"Im sorry TO keep You waiting 80 for your
breakfast. Mr.. Darl,y.' said Mrs. StGrkweath-
,r, rc-,uteriuv. She was generally very gra-
cioUs to Caleb-hr always paid her promptly,
never complained Of his meals, and gave her
very little trouble ia any way.
DO you know il poor little Miss Mint has
any friends or relatives any where, Mrs
SArkweather - asked Caleb, ignoring her re-
mark. -.
~ IL. sf....l a.. ,. - . I;.,i. 90. q -,
pshiy Then. IN bautering tone which i'll
concealed spitefll feeling: You and she
seem TO have grown to be great friends these
last three months. Mr.. barley"
The poor young lady seems to need
friends, said Caleb. ooidly. Then altering
his voice little: "IOu are the most suitable
person to befriend her, Mrs. Starkweather,
and am sure you will
well, Sir, do my best, but you must re-
member"
''Sec.that she has comfortable room, and
fire. and doctor, and all the care she
needs" said barley, cutting her short, and
putting II roll Of bills into her hands Say
nothing about this to her, remember" with
emphasis. Il don't wish my name men,
toned"
We'll, Sir you're generous man, must
say said Mrs. Starkweather, rs she turned
away But her inward comment was The
great fool To throw his money away on
! this miserable little Miss Mint, when the over
coat he's wearing don't look fit to go out in
the street with But it's all one to me :!
smiling to herself. as she reflected that the
result would certainly be some money in her
own pocket.
"W,u. how is Mss Mint Z" she said, enter.
ing the poor girls room, an hour later. Ellen
turned her head foebly, too weak to show the
surprise she felt. "How are youy' repeated
| Mrs Smrkweaiher trying TO twist her acid
! face into d, gracious smile rs she took the thin
| hand in hers.
Pretty weak" whispered Ellen, family.
"Well, this won't do, l See, We must hav,
| you down stairs whore youth be more com
Portable Is the bed all ready Norah. ant
have you made the fire"
Yes, ma'am."
''Well. do you thiul, you can walk, with my
help AID Noru's;' said Mrs Starkweather
but you must let mo help You on with this
wrapper first"
Ellen looked at her with strange ming
ling of anxiety, gratitude, and distrst in hel
| eyes She scarcely knew what to make Of
this unforeseen kindness, but she was faint
sick almost unto death, ," and could not hell
welcoming it, Yet she managed to gasp out
"You know how it is with me | gave yo'
all the money had last night. You had bet
| ter send me TO the hospltaI-'
Nonsense of hospitals :" said Mrs. Stark
weather, as she put back n stray lock iron
I.flens face. We're not going to serve yol
that way Don't say another word about it
All you must think about now is how to &c
we'll"
4 tear trickled down Ellen's check. 'If
get well, your kindness shall not-l will seN
for you-any thing" Her voice died away.
The quick thought darted through Mrs
S,arkwcatheI's mind that here was a splond
chance to get her brown merinO made owe
free of charge. But she said aloud: "Yo
don't spose I'm so hard-hcartcd as not to fec
for you when you're sick, do you? Here
Norah, raise her up, and wen put this wraT
per on her. We mean to take good care o
YOU and get YOU well again, my dear.
"Th old crocodile" said Norah, indignant
Is, to Bridget. when she found herself in tn
Kitchen again. ITO see her palaverin' owe
the poor thing as if she was the best frion
she'd got Hospital, indeed Only last nigh
she talked of sendin her there herself an
she'd be there before the day was out onl
for Mr. Caleb. He's good young man, an
n kind-heartcd; there's not many like hin
l can tell You now"
''Will you please pu: that stand by me, NJ
rah and give me the pen and ink -
Now, Miss Ellen, it's not Mr.. Caleb woul
want you to be doing that copying for hin
I'm sure, and you so weak you can scarcel
r raise finger"
"Oh, Pm much stronger than l was, NJ
T rah, and l must really get to work agail
Please do as l ask you, Norah,
"Well, miss, but tell you you're not fit
) do it," As Norah spoke she brought the Ii
tie stand to Ellen's side.
During the three months that preceded +
r lens illness Caleb had given her considerab
| copying" to do for himself, and had inte
ested few others in her. What he did wit
I the numerous manuscripts she copied for hi
4 remains mystery. My opinion is that the
were slowed away in the bottom of an o
/ trunk in his room.
: Ellen worked away for some time when 81
was again disturbed by the entrance of N
: rah.
= Miss Ellen, Mr., barley sends his regar
e to you and would you like to take lit