Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-02

phIni anu knockeu louuly On mtS' Oohtoh
door.
Before her knuckes had fairly left it, the
door was flung open by Mrs Denton herself,
who stood silently regarding her visitor with
an expression Of resentment and indignation.
GLOW dye do, Miss Denton2 TN Miss
Keziah Fletcher Perhaps you've heard of
me before. was at Helmstone considera-
BILE spell, an since l got back I've been laid
by with the rheumatic, or I'd have called be-
fore. l come to see il you'd take tea at my
house tonight. I'll make you comfortable,
an itll be n sort Of change for you"
Mrs. Denton made no reply. She stood
staring Mt her visitor as il she had not heard
her words. Then her eyes wandered TO the
! gate, and fell at last upon the spring wagon
and its small occupant, whose golden curls
were escaping from the close calico sun bon
net which shaded her pretty face from the
MONDAY sun.
SIS that your child ?" she asked abruptly,
but without taking her gaze from Hetty.
Thore was a hungry yearning look in her
! eyes as she spoke, a tremor in her voice.
Land sakes No indeed !" calculated
Miss Keziah, with virtuous horror in her tone.
II never was married. The only man 1 ever
cared a straw for was drowned at sea, and
| those that cared for me was mercenary in
their views. Hetty's my sister James child.
Jane, she died to Helmstone some six months
back. Come, won't you jump in the wagon
and go with me? l didn't low 10 be disap-
p'nted in havin' you to tea, so 1 made all
ready for you"
Eyes, I'll come" snid Mrs. Denton, with
dra wing her gaze from Hetty, who was grasp
| ing the reins with ludicrous earnestness, as il
the steadiness Of old Moll depended entirely
upon her.
She went into the house and put on an old
fashioned straw bonnet and faded black
merino shawl. Then she walked down the
path and climbed into the wagon after Miss
| Keziah, without uttering word.
"You forgot to lock your door" said the
careful spinster, as she took the reins from
Hetty's little hands
A bitter smile curled Mrs. Dentons lips.
Il never lock it," she said there is
nothing in the house worth stealing
The two women logged along the quiet
country road, with the child between them,
Miss Keziah talking on Indifferent subjects,
in her kind, sensible, whole-hearted way.
She did not allude to her visitors sorrows,
nor did she mention the visits paid to the
lonely cottage by other members of the sew
ing circle.
A man took the horse when they reached
Miss Keziah's farm which was mile from
the centre of the town, and one of the finest
in the country. 1t was well cultivated, well
stocked with fruits of various kinds, and its
buildings were all comfortable and roomy,
the house itself being built Of stone, in a sub
stantial, old-fashioned manner.
Miss Kezlah led the way into her sitting
room, and helped her visitor take off her bon
| net and shawl
Have the easy chair, Miss Denton" she
said with great cordiality, ''apd make your
self to home. I've got to see to supper, but
| guess Hetty kin amuse you spell. Hetty,
| mind you're good while I'm gone
She left the room and was absent nearly
half an hour. When she returned Mrs. Den
ton had Hetty on her hap and was telling her
a fairy story. The first smile the poor wo-
mans face had worn for nearly year rush
ed on it as she looked up at Miss Keziah's en-
trance, and said ''She reminds me so much
of my little Bertha. You can't tell the good
it does me just to hold her in my arms--they
have been empty so long
A deep sigh followed the words.
I'm glad she hasn't bothered you" said
Miss Keziah, cheerfully. but now come
in to tea. guess you're pretty nigh famish-
ed awaiting for it.
A sumptuous repast was in readiness
Broiled chicken, cold ham, light biscuit, ap-
pie, grape, and pumpkin pie doughnuts,
pound cake and cookies, composed the bill
of fare, concluding with every variety of
sweetmeat and condimeut, preserves, pickles.
honey and cheese. Miss Keziah could not
have arranged a better feast, had she been
expecting bishop to tea, instead of a poor
widow whose stony heart she wished to soft
en-.
With cordial smile the spinster motioned
her guest to a seat. and, after putting Hetty
in high chair, sat down herself at the head
Of the table and reverenty asked blessing.
~ didn't put up as many kinds of pre-
serves as usual this year" she observed, as
| oh a hal Aru ton, 70 Naln alIw
amt the woman used to be by a long way.
Rheumatic do lay holt on body So I'm in
bed or on crutches half my time. calker-
late I'll have to give up the farm if don't
mend. l did lot on having Jane here to
manage everything for me but, poor thing,
the fever carried her of all to onct, just as
she'd got free O. that ornary husband O. hers.
I'd hate to give up though. Jane and me
were both born here. and I've never knowed
no other home"
When supper was over the two women
walked about the yard, made a tour of the
garden, and admired the cows as they came
leisurely up to the barnyaId to be milked.
Then Mrs. Denton remarked that it was
growing late, and she must hurry home.
whats the need of your going ?" asked
Miss Keziah, 1--WE got four spare rooms,
and would be glad il they were all full. Sup
pose you stay all night?"
Mrs. Denton hesitated. She thought of
her lonely, neglected house, peopled with the
ghosts of her dead children, and contrasted il
with this bright, homelike place, where q
child's sweet voice made music.
DO stay" said little Hetty, clinging to the
visitors dress.
This decided the poor, heart broken wo-
man.
81 will, and thank you for asking me,
Miss Keziah. have not deserved such kind
ness"
That night after Hetty had gone to bed
the two women sat talking in the large sit
ting-roo which an open wood fire made
cheerful and bright Gradually Mrs. Den
!. ton was led to speak of her children, all now
resting in their narrow graves in the village
cemetery. She spoke of their uniform good
7 ness and love for herself, but said little OF
her grief at losing them. Her voice seemed
harsh and strange to Miss Keziah, who un
derstood the effort for control the poor wo
man was making.
Poor soul you've seen a sight of trouble
1 know" the spinster said, softly, and she pu
, her hands tenderly on those of her guest
which were olasped hard together.
There was a deep silence for few mo
ments, unbroken save by the ticking of th'
eight-day clock in the corner Then sudden
ly Mrs. Denton threw herself at Miss Keziahi
: feet and broke into bitter weeping Hoarst
sobs tore their way from her breast and hel
whole frame shook with the violence Of emo
/ ton. The restraint, the self-control of years,
was broken down. The heart, burdened fol
80 long, found relief at last in passionate
sobs and cries.
4 Miss Keziah said nothing, but tenderly
( stroked away from the hot forehead the thicl
hair grown gray with sorrow. There wal
sympathy in ever touch.
"You are so different from the rest, " sale
: Mrs. Denton, when at length she had grow
q calm enough to speak "The others who
5 have come to me have driven me nearly mac
with their unmeaning advice. Not one Of
them knew what suffered, not one could un
= derstand my grief. When my boy, my Ed