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

the time she had read Nolly's note, but Mr.
Bradford was cool as an icicle, and had taken
it upon himself 10 send Mrs. Dunbars friends
away, and wait on her himself It began to
be soon whispered about that Mr.. Bradford
would marry the widow. After all, she had
the property, and was such very young
looking woman for her age Such things
hat happened. She took his arm when she
went out with him, and he brought home
flowers, Just as he used to in Miss Nelly's
time. A pot of violets could always be seen
Mt the upper window.
year went by-two years-five; then
these two people, Mrs Dunbar and Paul,
were given up for more interesting subjects
Mr.. Bradford was getting to be quite an old
bachelor, and the widows hair was streaked
with gray. It was u monotonous life they
led. Mr.. Bradford went to business every
morning. as usual at the same old hour, and
returned in the evening to a quiet dinner
with Mrs Dunbar. The night was spent
with his newspaper, or a book, or Il maya
zine. At rare intervals he went to theatre
or concert, when Mrs. Dunbar generally ac-
companied him.
Interspersed with these little amusements
were letters from South America letters
from little seaport where Nellie was charm
ed with the climate, and the little circle of
society, in which she was evidently favor.
lite. Harry was engaged in the turpentine
trade, and made long journeys into the inte-
rior. Mrs Dunbar became interested in tur-
pentine, the ramitications Of which manufac-
ture Paul was made to explain at length. But
soon that subject was forgotten; another
took its place. Letters came which Paul was
not allowed to read--page after page, crossed
and interlined, which Mrs. Dunbar read with
increasing difficulty, as her sight was unrelia-
BILE. Paul would look over his newspaper,
and ask if he could assist her in any way
whereupon the widow would grow confused
and reply that she could not let him read
Nelly's letters just now they were of a pri-
vate nature. Not that she had any secrets
from Paul, but he was n man
'An old hundrum fellow, that might as
well be an old woman" pleaded Paul.
But Mrs. Dunbar shook her head. He was
a man, and a single man.
(which certainly is no fault of mine, said
Paul, who was able now to joke about the
past.
Well, this much she would tell him, that
she was very anxious about Nely--in that
climate. She didn't know what might be the
consequences fever might set in.
Paul said that Nature would take care of
everything. but went down town the next day
with weight at his heart which grew heav-
Ter as the months went by One day letter
came that Paul sacrificed the best business
hours to bring home, that Mrs Dunbar
seized with ayidity, and broke down at the
first line. ITS girl" she said, giving the
letter to Paul, "and she's named it after you
she said she would all along"
Paul took the letter his hand shook lit
tie. and he found il hard Mt first IN make ont
the weak. crooked lines. II have called NV
baby Pauline. mamma. Nelly wrote at is
a pretty name. md Won will NOT think il
after ali that have told Won"
Paul read those lines over nud over aooin
He was not curious man. but he vould have
been Glad TO know all that Erlly had told her
mother. He held his newspnper that uipht
at its usual l,npth from his ewes. and it Ind
the accustomed nodicum of news: but the
close Gttl, uriut consolidated into a broad
black BACKGROUND whereon Paul SAW nothing
but the dreamy picture of n Madonna and
Child.
This was the first year of Nelly's marriage.
Three wears later n boy WAS born TO her which
barely lived a week. Other children follow.
ed, that scarcely survived their birth. Mel.
ly's health had begun to fail. when il became
necessary for them to move to the interior of
the country, where Harry could better attend
to his business. Ii was a primitive way of
living. Nelly wrote, hut one could get used to
every thing
1--WE no doubt it's a thatched hut with an
eartheu floor" said Mrs. Dunbar. Il never
expect to see my child again-never! What
with the boa-constrictors. and centipedea,
and SCORPIONS and feyers. and foods. and
eoerything, l never expect to see her again
I've no doubt she is suffering for the necessi-
ties of life"
Paul had reasons of his own for knowing
that Nelly did not want for luxuries that mon.
ey could buy. 1t was Il place where money
was of little avail, but comfortable sums had
been sent to her at various times rs her share
Of her fathers estate. Paul had been COM
PEELED to give "A fictitious rotundity TO the
amounts derived from this patrimony; il had
suficed for the wants of the widow.
but She had not wanted. nevertheless. Paul
was alone in the world. 1t had been his
chiefest comfort to minister to the happiness
of these two women. WHY should he deny
himself that pleasure now ? Poor Harry Ind
not been successful in his business ventures
one after another had failed. Nelly's letters
bepnu to be few and far b,tween. In one of
them She smoke Of PanIine's beauty and
grace
when | look at my sweet daughter"
wrote Nelly. II tremblr. If any thing should
befall her. should die. She is like one of
he fresh sweet yiolets | us.d to love Her
whole life is A sacrifice me TO her Fnp-
hor pet cockatoo and monkey. Harry is new
or here. and am never we'll the dear child's |
happiness consists in assuaping the miseries
IF others"
"She ought to send the child North said
poor Mrs. Dunbar. "If | could even have |
NV granddaughter. Pnulu
What would Nelly do without her ?" said
Paul, and turned upon his heel and walked |
lwav. How selfish old women were! Here
vas Mrs. Dunbar willing 10 rob her daughter |
,f the one thing that made life .nJurabie
But the old lady yearned and fretted till |
l,r desire seemed TO bring lis own fruition
4 malignant fever had broken out and Nelly |
would send Pauline Immediately North.
"Nelly will come too. cried Paul. his dark
ace beginning TO glow.
''She will not leave her husband" said
Mrs. Dunbar.
Then let her bring him along said Paul
Who had always held poor Harry as a sort of |
auxiliary. Paul went out Of the house with
ight step and lighter heart 1t was settled
,o,v . tbsv n,ust aiI come North Ua i,nn,e