Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-09-05

turned into a sob. THAT is Pauline my
daughter. People say she is like what l was
long ago, when when you Oh, Paul."
The voice was sweet yet, but hollow and
thin. Was that Nell that wasted creature
upon the lounge, and the big wistful eyes,
the pale sunkon face-was that Nelll Pau
looked at her with so much yearning in his
face that Nell covered her own with her
hands.
Don't, Paul" she said "If you do
shall break down"
The very words she had said on the old
wharf Paul took one stride over to the sofa,
then stopped short "Where is Harry p he
snid in tone of constraint that he meant tc
be easy and natural. 81 have a good berth
waiting for Harry. He aud must be warm
friends Nelly, we must be happy yet"
Nell burst into loud sobs. Harry is dead, u
she said--"dead of the dreadful fever many
horrible months ago"
"Dcad ~ said Paul, with an accent or hor-
ror. Dead :" he repeated, with a softer in
Election. flush came into his face, which
deepened and deepened, then suddenly fled,
and left him pale again. A man cant help
his thoughts. and those of Paul came so thick
and fast they nearly stunned him. Then the
young girl came into the room again with her
grandmother, who could not take her eyes
from the beautiful face
"She's so like Nell was twenty years ago,
isn't She Paul ?" said the old lady with gloat-
ing eyes. leading the handsome creature
straight to Pauls arms. There, give her a
kiss for her name" said the foolish, fond old
lady
The ripe red lips touched Pauls. A low,
shivcring cry came from the lounge. The
old lady thought it only natural that Nelly
should cry Just now. Pauline began to cry
NaA Dt,N al gg.1 Dat,l H..
bitter loneliness the craving the uuspeaka-
BILE yeaning 1t was so plain to him. 'Tnke
Pauline out to supper he said to the old
lady II will bring Nelly"
The happy old lady carried her treasure
away, but the poor pale creature on the
lounge refused TO go. ~ want nothing" &"
she said only to be left alone"
"Alone :" echoed Paul.
''Yes, alone. am only a wr,ck Paul,
you and mamma have my old self in my
sweet daughter. | am only burden let me
die. Oh, my sweet daughter! God forgive
me what miserable creature am '
Paul knelt down by her side. His face
looked so dark beside Nell's it was almost
fierce in the intensity Of feeling man
can't help his words sometimes; those of
Paul were like the tumul.uous surging sea,
they had been pcnt up so long. As he spoke,
a faint color crept to Hcll's wasted cheek
"Hush hush =" she said soothingly.
Think of it," he went on. Twenty long
years TO eat and drink and sleep, and have
the one gnawing sense Of loneliness and mis-
cry; to 90 out in the morning, and come hack
at night to the one monotonOus. lisiless life,
the unsHtisfed longing, year in and year out
till twenty years have come and gone You
had your husband, yOur children. your hours
OF JOY. Even your hours of bitterness. your
hours of agony, were sweet compared to
mine"
Hush! hush :" said Nelly, taking his
trembling hands in her own. Come, Paul
mamma is calling MS to supper. How nice
every thing looks 90 she cried, looking about
the old fashioned dining-room. See, Pau
line, the old sidcboard that have described
10 you SO often! See the pretty brass rings,
and the brass hobs on the dear old glowing
fire. Come to me, Pauline, Just one little
minute, dear"
Nells sweet eyes were wet when she kissed
Pauline; she could not forgive herself for
her foolish jealousy.
Let us say grace tonight" said Paul,
from the head of the table, looking over the
happy group. He had not been used to the
simple ceremony, but he bent his head and
their hearts were full, and Paul's was happy
for the first time in twenty years Harptr's
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