Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-02-16

'Ill draw for you, sir, picture of your
accidentally 1t is an honorable gentleman,
STOPPING to bribe an ignorant slave to steal
from sick woman paper she intended to
destroy. Your work is driving poor helpless
creature to the verge of insanity. II is TAX
ing from one, who has never harmed you, all
tho glory of life for the sake of money. Like
Judas, you have sold your integrity for n few
paltry pieces Of silver but | swear you shall
never enjoy them. l would give every foot
Of land on this broad globe to blot from my
memory the words Of that paper. You sup
posed that because was gentleman would
pay you to hush up your black secret but
breathe it il you dare and your life is the
forfeit. Give me that paper, and see to it
that never hear one word Of it from any hu-
man being for If do, your days are num-
bered. Now go, and never do you cross this
threshold again, or take my name upon your
vile lips"
The lawyer skunk away, not daring to look
him in the face. Carl stood, his eyes flashing
and his lips compressed, till the last footstep
died away then, tearing the paper into
shreds, he sank upon footstool az Mrs. Dc
Clancy's feet, and buried his face in his hands.
She passed her fingers lovingly through the
glossy curls, but could fud no word Of com
fort for him in his agony. At last, with a
DlltOuS tIls Us il WEGblllnE Win MS own de-
spair, he appealed to her
"Oh, mother tell me it is false a horrible
dream, from which will awake by.and. by -
She shook her head sadly, as she replied
Would to God could, my dear boy But
remember il is not your sin. Whatever blood
runs in your veins, you can be a nobeman by
the grace of God and you are always my
dear son and Hopes brother"
Rising, be CROPPED his way out Of the room
like one suddenly blinded. Mrs. De Clancy
did not follow him, knowing full well that
each soul cries out for solitude and darkness
in its Gethsemane. When he appeared the
next morning, his face shone with the glory
of self-renuncation, and she knew that he
wore the victor's crown, though his heart was
sore wounded even unto death.
Shall tell her y he asked, as they sat to
gether in the sunny room, with the shadow of
the leaves flckering on the polished floor.
II think not, Carl, replied Mrs. De Clan
cyi but all the love and care you can give
her, let it be hers, for God alone knows the
passionate cravings Of her soul"
They spent the morning in laying plans for
the future-so changed since the happy yes.
terday Then he walked through stately pal
aces, and life meant JOY and duty love. To-
day the future stretches before him misty and
gray, and a self-appointed messenger, bearing
hOotlhB " lht nACh tuu COmIOII 10 lub u1lDB,
he goes down into the dark places of earth
Blessed ministry of earthly sorrow, that from
the bruised heart should arise the sweet fra
grauce of charity and conservation!
For Hopes sake they deemed it best to
leave place haunted by so many bitter mem
ories, and ere long they found themselves
settled in a fourshing western town Here,
amid now scenes Hagar found health and
contentment. The dead past was buried out
of sight, and none of them ever willingly re-
verted to it. As the years passed on, Hope
grew into beautiful womanhood and was call
ed to reign in good mans heart Friends
wondered greatly that the handsome, talented
DIR. De Clancy did not marry. To all he gave
the same reply: that his life was too full of
labor for him to cucumber himself with do
mestic cares. To Mrs. De Clancy, after
Hopes marriage, be said with smile that
was sadder than groan
Mother mine, you'll have your old bache-
lor son always to vex you with his grabbed
ways"
s"Oh, no! my boy; some day hope you'll
bring bright young face to make sunshine
in our home and sweeten your life with her
love"
Never" was the firm reply. The shad-
ow of the curse shall never fall athwart other
lives through mine. l am the last of the De
Clancys."
"And the best murmured Hagar under her
breath, as she sat looking toward the west,
where the clouds glowed with beauty, as if
they caught their radiance from the unseen
land. sunday Republican.