Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-30

believe 80 at all events, in another moment
my lips were pressed against Lizze's sunken
cheek, and her tears and mine mingled. We
stood thus hand in hand no longer divided
by any thought of class or caste, only two
sobbing, troubled women, and then
Like shade that had come and gone, as a
strange appartion might do, the tall figure,
with the shabby shawl gathered snood- like
over its head had glided away among the
trees, and | was left alone to think
Time-precious tme-was gliding by. |
had-how long to reach the millsi Scarce an
hour.
How should l go? BY which Of the two
roads would John come / stood out on the
green velvety lawn where Of an evening he
smoked his cigar while ! sat by. ] remem-
bered this rs | stood there, and had TO crush
back cry that rose to my lips.
just at that moment, once more low, soft
whinny came from Lassie's stable. Then
/ knew.
The groom was crossing the yard and
| speaking measurrdly, as one in great haste, |
told him to saddle the little mare. 'Iam 60
ing to ride to meet your master; you need
not come with me-"
Then / turned hastily towards the house,
fearing some expression of surprise upon the
mans part.
remembered what Lizzie had said Let
no one know thy errand."
TO fly rather than walk to my bcd-r TO
equip myself in my riding-d dress in so short
time that it was n wonder mortal fingers
! could achieve the task, and then. just for one
moment, to steal to my darlings little bed /;
| not to weep, tears weaken at such time,
but Just to kiss the cheek flushed in sleep,
and lying in such sweet repose upon the tiny
| open palm.
oh baby - l said bowing my head upon
my hands az l knelt, II am going to save
| him-for you and for me :" And | sobbed,
though my eyes were dry.
Who, watching q sleeping infant has not
seen that sudden. neffable smile that, like a
sunbeam playing on the petals of Il flower,
| parts the sweet milk -bedewod lips, aud passes
swiftly as it came?
chose to take that smile as a good omen :
| chose to think Heavens angel in my hour
of need stood by me, and the closed violets
| of my darlings eyes saw the ministerng
| presence.
| heard the clatter of Lassie's hoofs upon
| the stores of the yard | staid one fleet
ing instant at the nursery door, and then
down the stairs, out through the pretty porch
one spring to the saddle
Oh, it did not take long, and we were on
our way-on our way upon the journey that
meant life or death for him aud for me -
worse than death if the worst befel
| l dare not hurry much at first l knew
| that the hedges had eyes, and the trees ears
! How they sighed above my head Us the even
! ing wind swayed them gently
clinched my hand on the handle of my
| rding-whip. | set my teeth hard fought
/ for patience.
Every moment was as Jewel of great
/ price, and yet | dare not hurry. Not yet
| Once the horrible gloom Of the thick wood
| past, and then the terrible choice between the
! two roads would lie before me.
My heart beat so thick and fast | scarce
| could draw my breath and just as We were
near the thickest part of the bush and trees
something stirred while Lassie gave II sudden
start and then a bound.
STEADY. steady, little one, | said, speak
ing out loud lit is but a poor, silly sheep
! that has strayed into the wood"
| Lassie trcmbled. as | could feel but she
stepped on quietly enough, and Heaven
| knows where a womau's strength comes from
at such times 1 let the reins drop loosely on
her shining neck, and sang to myself rs |
| went along.
The stars that listened could not think a
| woman rode race Of life and death for the
sake of the man she loved could they?
We had reached the fork Of the two roads
the dark shadow of the wood lay behind us.
A touch, and the mare stood still
| Which which o my God help me I!
| guide me. ! prayed
Then let tho rein drop on Lassio's neck
closed my eyes, and gently urged her on. She
took the way that lay to the left. The choice
| was made.
Maddening thoughts throbbed in my brain.
Was John, even now, as Lassies willing
! hoofs rang out on the hard road, coming
along the almost parallel route, each step Of
his trusty steed leading him nearer death 7
| Or had some blessed chance delayed him
Should find him at the mill Z Would Heav-
! en- be so meTcful as that to meI
Three miles three miles Did ever the
road, cleaning palely white before me in
| gathering dusk, seem so long before The
night, like a soft curtain, was falling upon
the world l saw a single star glimmering
above-the robin sang no more.
We were in the open country, We passed
no more dwellings where lights twinkled
through the trees, aud seemed to speak of
human cOmpanionship and happy homes.
Alone in the twilight two solitary fgures-my
little mare and |.
"On, Lassie, on :" l cried to her, Fast
er. faster"
l saw the smoky canopy that overhung the
town, though now-ominous sign 1T was
less dense than its wont. / could have cried
aloud with JOY.
"I4assie Lassie make good speed, little
The road seemed to rush along beneath us.
Quicker, quicker make good speed
make good speed little mare !"
touched her hanks lightly with my whip;
she tossed her pretty head flung of the
white foam that had gathered on her bride,
and sprang forward with added life and spir-
II.
"Lnssie dear Lassie bonnie Lassie see
the tall chimnoys are in sight we are get
ting near him now, Lassie We shall save
him yet ="
knew not what wild words uttered in
my mad excitement; hitherto had managed
TO keep the curb upon my terror and my
pain but now, as the goal OF my desires was
nearly reached, could have tossed my arms
aloft I could have shrieked out TO the
night / could have been guilty of any mad
thing.
At the entrance to the town 1 drew rein
and Lassie aud l tried to look as quiet and
respectable as we could As we passed
through the narrow streets, where men stood
about in little groups, and women, with
staryed-looking children clinging to their
petticoats, stared at me and my painting steed.
The great gates that led to the mill yard were
closed.
How strange a contrast to when they stood
widely opened, and a swarm of men, like bees
out of hive, came pouring through them,
while the great bell, that meant work is
over" changed out its welcome message
A man looked through a grating, and not
without some curt expression of amaze.
HAS the master gone ?" l asked in a voice
that did not sound like mine.
"Noa, my leddy," he answered in the north
country tongue.
Once inside the yard l stepped from my
saddle, and left Lassie standing there pant
ing and foam Aecked. Gathering my habit
in my hand went up the steps into the cold
wlitewashed passages, and SO on TO a room
knew well-John's room.
He was writing at table, and the haring
gas above his head showed me his face grave
and anxious, change to a look of uttermost
surprise as he saw his wife standing in the