Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-03-31
4 FAIRY GODNOTHEP.

4 FAIRY GODMOTIIER
Madame Dupont, wrapped in a loose robe
Of some soft gray material faded cashmere
shawl partly covering her, lay on the lounge
before the bay-window that formed almost
the entire front Of her tiny cottage. Her
large black eyes, their brightness somewhat
dimmod by her long SICKNESS dwelt with
dreamy pleasure on the landscape spread be-
fore her.
It was a very commonplace landscape.
such as can be seen in any country place on
any summer only broad field, white
with daisies, among which two or three
brown cows patiently sought for tender
blades Of grass, with one tall stout tree stand
ing midway, solitary and alone, and back
ground of dense tangled brush-wood To
careless eyes, scarce worth careless glance
but to hers, so long shut out from sight of
earth and sky, a scene most beautiful. The
slender white wrinkled hands folded upon her
breast were yet too weak TO hold even one of
her beloved books, and the small feet still
lacked sufficient strength to sustain the frail
body. But-thauk Heaven tho cruel pain
had gone, and in its stead had come a blissful
rest.
All through the tickle months of spring,
taking no heed whether they smiled or wept
she had never raised her weary head from the
pillow.
And the snow-drops aud crocuses and scillao
and hyacinths aud tulips had grown and bud
ded and bloomed in her little garden, aud she,
who had hoped to watch them grow from the
first green leaf to the perfect blossom, had
only seen the few Viola had plucked and
brought to her bedside, where, seen through
a cloud of suffering a shadow had fallen up.
on their beauty.
And now it was the heart of June, and the
roses, gay in every shade Of pink, climbing
about the window, looked in, and entreated
her to come out. But no; she could not
hope to walk again among her flowers until
the roses had faded and the lilies Lad begun
to reign. And perhaps even this hope would
not have been hers had it not been for the
love and care and cheering words of VIOLA
the eldest daughter of the many daughters at
the big farm house. Kate, the strong, rough
Irish servant maid, was kind and faithful in
her way but hers was money service, and
left 70 it alone, she might have died; but vi
ola served for love, (she had loved the pretty
old madame since first they metz and love
brings faith and hope and patience, and many
other beautiful things.
For weeks the young girl came morn,
noon, and eve, to stay an hour each time, aud
her visits were the only CLEANS of brightness
that lighted that darkened room. Aud many
the wee loaf Of whtest bread, and golden pat
of butter, aud drink of sweet rich milk, and
fresh.laid, pink-tintcd egg, she brought to
tempt the languid appetite; and many the
song she sang, soft and low, to WOO for the
sick woman the angel of sleep.
And yet not only were they neither kith
nor kin, but she knew nauglt Of Madame
Dupont save that she had built the four
roomed cottage the preceding spring, and
had lived there since tue last July in the
humblest way.
There was a large family at the farm house,
and much work to be dono-hard, unlovely
work the very thought of which often made
the young girl, waking in the gray morning
from pleasant dreams, clasp her hands and
cry out, 'Is this TO be my life forever And
had it not been for the glimpse of beauty she
caught about her home-the far-of river
cleaning in the sunlight or moonlight the
orchard trees white with blossoms in spring,
and laden with fruit in summer and autumn
the shady woods where countless shy wild
flowers hid from the glare of the world, the
songs of the happy birds, and the grand sun
sets behind the distant hills-she would have
been heart weary indeed For she loved
everything beautiful. And especially did she
love music with all the tenderness of a crea-
tor, as madame discovered one day-the day
they first saw each other, in fact when Viola
stopped, entranced, on the threshold of the
door to listen to plaintive melody in a minor
key, feebly but beautifully played on the old
fashioned upright piano.
you love music?" said madame, turning
slowly and confronting her.
with all my heart" answered the girl,
the vivid blush that was ever ready to appear
flushing her sweet young face.
you play?"
A EfH1a. h,N bopa haA
piano for three years-since my own mother
died"
Let me hear you"
sob, madame, dare not try after you"
But the old lady rose and gently led her to
the instrument. There were two or three
keys entirely dumb, and the rest were not in
perfect tune but the spirit of music so
guided the long slender fingers that they re-
produced the minor melody madame had
played, SO daintily iuwrapped in bird-like
trills aud ripping runs that she, in turn,
stood entranced
after me, indeed" she said, as the girl
struck the last chord ~ had to learn, but
yOa it is part of you. And you have no
piauo? Ah, that is sad. Could l give you
mine, it should be yours But ii belonged to
my dear husband, who died twenty years
ago, and l could not bear to part with it, He
was a Fronohman, and professor of music.
was hQ American klEl, anu one OF uls pQplli.
When married him helped him teach 9th
ers aud so came to be called "mRdame." We
loved each other very much. But shall be
glad, my dear-very glad-to have you come
here and play as often as you will"
Gould / come as often as / would said
the girl, with bright smile, "I'm afraid
should soon tire you. But will come as Of
ten as l can. Aud oh, madame, suddenly
kissing tho soft wrinkled cheek-'I can not
tell you how much thank you p
But the 'often" proved very SELDOM for
some of the summer boarders smid until the
end of October; aud the hutter had TO be
churned, and the fruit canned aud the
younger sisters prepared each day tor school,
and the twin boys-nothing to speak of in
point of years, but perfect Methuselahs in
mischief-to be looked after from morning
until night, and winter wardrobes to be made,
and a thousand and one other things to be
done.
And then madame fell sick and all the time
Viola could spare she spent at her bedside.
"Time that had much better be spent at
home" scOlded her step-mOther; for there's
q servant there, and one servants enough to
take care of two such houses as that sick or
well. have no servant"
"You have me-" Viola might have replied,
and no servant ever worked harder, or for