Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-07-06

devotion. Rachel was his ideal, the central
figure of all his brilliant dreams, his sole coun-
sellor teachor and friend.
When the early southern spring opened,
they spent delightful Saturdays wandering
over the Knobs, floating down the river in
one of the queer "dug-our canoes, or making
excursions into the swamp for the splendid
"iire lilies ferns aud moses that grow there
in rich profusion.
Rachel complained no more of dumb days.
Her interest in her work had deepened, and
at Nubbins's earnest desire she had extended
her acquaintance among the villagers. She
soon found that to win their respect and es-
TEEN she must mingle with them in their
homes, and break down the barriers of wealth
and culture by simple kindliness.
One bright Saturday early in June, Rachel
and Nubbius came home at dusk from a long
ramble over the Knobs. The boys pencil
had been busy, and the exquisite "bit' sketch
ed while they sat on the brow of "Crowfoot"
had filled Rachel with proud excitement
1T is the best you have done. You will be
famous some day, darling she said, taking
him into her arms, while a world of tender
ness beamed in her gray eyes. And oh
Nubbins let me tell you a secret. sent your
last sketch to "a friend of mine at home
the gentleman who taught me drawing-and
he is going to sell it. Think of that my com
fort'
as he the one with the spectacles and
cross eye, that used to rap your knuckles
when you played wrong?'
NO not Herr Pelligrew. This gentleman
is young and handsome"
The color had surged away from Rachel's
checks, and her eyes had q faraway, wistful
look that sent a strange pang to Nubbins's
heart
Miss Rachel, once you said l was all the
friend you had. l don't b'lieve it. You've
got better one, and you'll 60 away some.
time !" he cried, sitting passionate sob.
''Hush, child lost him when lost the
rest
She turned away her face to hide its pallor,
while her lips folded sternly. Poor Rachel
She knew that Royal Dallas loved her, yet
pride had caused her to ruthlessly cast away
the best gift of a womans life.
Royal Dallas was absent in distant city at
the time of the Greames' misfortunes, and
when he returned he found only a brief note
of farewell awaiting him. Rachel had gone
no one knew whittier, and his long, patient
search was a fruitless one. A year had crept
away, and one June day he received a pack
age directed in her clear, flowing hand, and
containing beautiful crayon sketch. En-
closed was a single slip with a few lines con-
cerning the little artist, simply signed IRA
chel"
miss Rachel, Miss Rachel Oh, wake up,
please It's comm SO fast, an there amt
minute to lose Can't you hear the rush
Oh, Miss Rachel Miss Rachel"
Rachel sprang from her bed, aroused at last
by the shril despairing cry that had been
ringing through her dreams. Hastily throw
ing on her clothing, she ran to the window
and looked out. Above was inky blackness,
but there was an awful CLEAN at her very feet
and the thunderous roar of rushing water
struck terror to her heart The levee 1t
had broken, and the mad, free river was
reaching out mercless arms, whose grasp was
death.
Miss Rachel, I'm a-waitn'. Open the
window and step right into the boat"
Tremblingly she opened the wooden shut
ter then felt herself almost dragged into the
canoe, which rocked perilously upon the toss
ing waves
7'Nubbins How did you get here? Is
there any hopeI'
"I'll make for the bridge it's the only
chance was down on the levee to-day a
sketchin', and 1 knowed twas a-leakin'. l
want asleep when it broke; l was thinkin'
bout you, Miss Rachel, and l had the canoe
lashed to my window
1t is needless to picture the horrors of that
awful night Morning dawned fair and sun
ny upon a world of water, beneath whose
dimpled breast slept death and wreck in their
most frightful forms. To the two who clung
with despairing hold to the pillars of the iron
bridge, the dawn brought little hope. Nub-
bins was crouched at his friends feet, watch
ing her white face anxiously and striving to
cheer her fainting heart with words of hope.
The morning dragged YEARLY away, and it
was noon when Nubbins espied dark speck
moving toward them.
"a boat Miss Rachel you are saved"
Rachel turned at the joyful cry, just in time
to see the little hands slip from the iron pill
lar as Nubbins went down, down into the
gurgling black waves beneath them.
With low, wailing moan Rachel dropped
her face upon her arms, feeling that the res
cue which came too late for this precious life
was scarcely welcome to her. Stunned with
grief and blinded By tears, Rachel neither saw
nor heard anything more until pair of strong
arms lifted her into the boat, and the voice
whose deep, rich tones had once epitomzed
for her earth's sweetest music, said tremu-
lously;
Rachel! Thank God l am in time !"
Royal" The thrill Of gladness died with
a pang so keen that Rachel burst into pas
sionate weeping 'No-oh, no too late to
save him On, Royal, why didn't you come
u minute sooner? 2"
why, Rachel, here is your pet in the end
of the boat, wet and shivering, but lively as a
cricket. pulled him out, almost before lie
got his head under"
Miss Rachel" said a shrill, piping voice
from under heap of shawls, II knowed there
was better friend than l, and he's come just
as | said. l most wish he'd "a let me staid
under cause now he'll take you away"
YES, please God" responded Dallas fer
vently. but her friend owes the recovery
of his happiness to you, Nubbins, and it shall
be your mission to make beautiful the home
we shall share with our beloved Rachel"