Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09

ingly clasped the thin hand in hers, "for
your sake anyway, will go with Jenny,
and learn and believe all can. But Miss
Green, my music teacher, whom love and
believe in, says that all Christians are under
a kind of delusion."
"Can Miss Green explain how mere de-
fusion could last eighteen hundred years
and more Does she think that few, like
herself, see face to face, and that the rest
see through glass darkly ?"
al suppose 3d." faltered Isabel, al don't
know, she speaks as if she knew. She says
she never believes anything without some
good reason. She says it is absurd to be-
lieve certain doctrine, or cling to partic-
ular church because ones grandparents or
parents did"
"In that admit there is some TRUTH"
was the reply. Each must choose for him
self, though it is always better for families
to go together. But you are tired, dear
child, go play my evening song and no more
tonight"
Isabel gladly went to the piano, and after
running her long, delicate fingers swiftly
over the upper notes, filling the room with
music like falling, ripping water, they fell
to the low notes and changed the melody to
sad, slow wall. Here, at home, under the
power Of that older, wiser, stronger woman,
the ambitious, overbearing school-child of
the morning seemed swallowed up and lost
forever in the fervent, earnest girl, now ex-
pressing part of her higher self
CHAPTER II.
al never saw such queer girl as Isabel
Grey" said Jenny Childs to her mother,
that same evening, as they sat in their small
parlor together, both sewing at some large
piece of work. The little boys had gone to
bed and the tired mother called this her
resting time
"Why do you say so ?" she replied bend
ing closer over the work. al notice nothing
pleasant nor original about her she is very
conceited, and so lily made that it fairly
shocks me to look at her."
"But don't mind that now that know
her, mother. 1t used to annoy me, but she
is very interesting and has so many new
ideas. like to hear her talk and, though
know she is often wrong, it cannot hurt me"
"Some of her wrong ideas might take
root in your mind and grow up
"Perhaps so" said Jenny, hesitatingly.
She then silently reviewed the question of
the morning-that small misrepresentation
might bring to pass great and good results,
in which case the lie was no sin. There
was silence in the room while the two work
ers meditated, each after her own manner.
Jenny's conclusion was that truth was more
precious than all things else, more to be de-
sired than gold.
The next day among the crowd of gay
girls, Jenny Childs was always to be found
near Isabel Grey. She could not resist the
powerful attraction there was in the girl.
Isabel was always in the center of group.
Her eyes glowed and flashed while she pro-
posed her many new and inviting plans for
both fun and profit. Just now she is I'M
folding her plan for the proposed reading
club. They are to meet at different houses,
one evening each week. She is appointed
president, and others to the offices of treas
urer, secretary, etc. All are quite enthusi-
astic, a universal murmur of applause is
heard from all sides, while frequent clapping
of hands announces cooperation. Before
they had quite finished all the arrangements
the bell struck. Recess being over, they
went in, but no one could fail to perceive
the additional dignity in the tread of about
twenty of those girls. That night in the
long and noisy procession walked Isabel and
Jenny together as usual.
"How strange it is" said some behind
"that Isabel Grey likes that stupid little
Jenny Childs. Isabel is so witty and bril-
liant, and yet will leave any of us for her."
"Well," said others, wiser if not older,
"Jenny may seem stupid and slow, but she
has brave, strong traits, that some day we
shall see the force Of"
"Isabel," said Jenny, think your plan
for club is very nice, but | cannot join it."
"Well, should just like to know why
not" exclaimed Isabel, with indignation in
her voice for, as we see, she is becoming
fonder of Jenny every day.
Because was the firm reply, Z" l know
my mother will not approve of it. know
it Just as well now as after ask her, so
there's no use."
al don't see why she should object" per-
sisted Isabel. Jenny hesitated. She knew
that her mother actually disapproved of Isa-
bel, as well as the kind of books to be read,
so she faltered out, smother will think it
waste of time"
$50 would grandma" said Isabel " if she