The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-07-16

and mamma nearly penniless. God has
been very good u.s." ft.t
She paused to note the effect Of her
coiffure in the small mirror then plac-
ing snowy rosebud in one side of the
wavy tresses, she unlocked her trunk,
and began turning her dresses over.
II will wear my black grenadine n
she said at last. decidedly. MAX likes
dark colorsI'
1t was easy to see that the young lady
was very anxious to please Max Peyton
DR.. Peyton, as he had a right to be
called, now that he had received his
diploma, and was looking about for
practice. But, ahl the weary waiting
-'for Max was poor, and had little in
huence. And. there was DR.. Shipton,
who was growing too old TO work longer
at his profession. whose comfortable
practice ne would dispose OF for two
thousand dollars-so small sum, when
the hopes of two young lives are a
stake.
For Max and Faith had been be-
trothed for more than a year. Poor as
they both were, Mrs. LINDSEY loved
them too well to object; though her
heart grew heavy as she thought Of
their long days of waiting, which
stretched before them like arid desert,
And, while I have been telling ali
Faiths secrets, she has been getting
herself up in the pretty grenadine, and
at last floated downstairs to meet her
lover, with the brightest face imagin-
able. Max was a tall, fine-looking
young fellow, with world of determin-
alton in his dark eyes. He was brave
and earnest. To him life was battle,
in which he meant to come off con-
queror.
And the days flew by on golden
wings, bringing nearer the hour when
Faith must return to the city and the
toll of the schoolroom. What was her
CONSERVATION, one morning, to receive
terse note informing her that the
school-board which employed her had
determined upon retrcnchment OF ex-
penses for the coming season, and had
proceeded to discharge number of the
teachers, herself among them. Poor
Faithi Though the confinement of the
scboolroom was irksome to her. she
was. nevertheless, dependent upon her
situation for q livelihood, and it was
taking away from her her sole support.
For n time she was stunned by the
intelligence and knew not which way
to turn. Then, more trouble came. A
small sum which she and her mother
had contrived to save between them was
lost by the failure of the bank in which
it was placed; and it seemed truly" that
troubles never come singly," for (and
that was worst of ally Mrs. Lyndsey's
health began to suffer. and Faith
thought, with sudden shock Of grief
and terror, that her mother might be
taken away.
These were dark days to Faith; and
had it not been for Max-brave, true
patient Max-she would have come
near despairing.
1t was one ever ing In early autumn
A bright wood-fire roared and cracked
on the broad hearth; for the old house
which had belonged to Aunt Patience
was built with great. roomy fireplaces
Mrs. LINDSEY and Faith and Max,
who had dropped in for the evening
were gathered around a large table
drawn up before the fireplace, and
strewn with books and work, for Faiths
only dependence now was in needle
work.
Times were hard with the young
physician; and he had, at last, made up
his mind to tear himself from home and
all he held dear, and go out into the new
western country, and build up prac-
tice. He loved: Faith too well to will.
ingly subject her to the hardships and
trials of his new life. No! He would
60 forth alone-and work so hard, and
strive so earnestly. that some day he
would be ready for his wife, and Faith,
he knew. would be true.
"But 1 shall be old and gray by that
time" smiled Faith. through her tears.
81 shall love you just the same, my
darlIngw the young man answered; and
somehow. Faith could not doubt him to
save her lifei tla..
So. sitting there before the bright fire,
the three discussed the proposed depar-
ture; till, at las, Faith dropped her
tear -dimmed eyes upon her work, and
quiet fell over all.
Mamma" said the young girl. sud-
denly, after long, thoughtful silence,
what do you suppose Aunt Patience
did with hei moueyP"
Mrs. LINDSEY smiled.
"l'm sure have no idea, DEAR" she
answered, 81 considered that subject
exhausted long ago. 1t was thought,
however, that she converted her ready
money into jewels. I Iremember hearing
her say that diamonds were the only
safe Investments which never depreciate,
and that stones Of value are never drugs
In the market" ~ crowd az
Imagine Aunt Patience bedecked
with diamondsp' laughed Faith, mis-.
chievously. Max, just imagine. II you
can, the antiquated lady whose portrait
uhlge yOuuei hllucu III JeWSlss ahu
fashionable ball-dressw
Faith laughed again, and the Others
could not resist the contagion. For
Faith, with her cheerfulness, bore her
crosses with fortitude.
She's only mammals aunt, you
know" interpolated Faith, apologetic-
ally, ''and she died seventeen years ago!
Mamma, did any one ever search-a
real, good, old-fashioned search, mean
for Aunt Patience's money!"
Her mother smiled sadly.
"Yes, indeed. For years we could
not give up the hope of findingit. Every
nook and corner about the old place
has been carefully examined. No, no,
my child. Aunt Patience laid her money