Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-14

creature she would have broken down under
the strain in less than month, even suppos-
ing she had been able to do the work at all.
But we said nothing to discourage her. We
knew the awakening must come soon, and the
important question with us now was how and
by whom should Mrs. Whippe be told the
truth. But the end came suddenly, without
warning
One morning, while Ida was giving Mr..
Whipple his breakfast, he was attacked by
another Of the dreadful hemorrhages, and
immediately, almost before Ida could sum
mon Mrs Whipple from the dining room, he
was gone. The poor little wife was frantic at
first. She would not believe her husband was
dead we could scarcely quiet her sufficiently
to ascertain her wishes in regard to those last
sad details which must be attended to even
though the hearts of the living seem break
ing. Ida alone had any influence over her.
10 Ida she clung, to none but Ida would she
listen. We had fearful scene for some
hours, but at last Ida succeeded in quieting
her, and carried her away to our cottage,
where she was persuaded to take a soothing
draught which DR.. Harrison had prescribed
and presently fell into a quiet slumber.
For many reasons we decided not to take
Mr.. Whipple's body home for burial. The
APoAoo Whn al llAlBOIlhul COublubIhllOut bul
the greater reason lay in the physical cond.
ton Of Mrs. Whipple.
We took the little widow home with u.s.
She was to remain in our family until we
went home in June, when she would make
the journey in our company. Her devotion
to Ida was something touching. She could
scarcely bear to have her out of her sight, and
would sit for hours on low seat at Ida's feet
looking up into her face as if it were the face
Of an angel
This seemed to puzzle Dr. Harrison greatly
More than once l fanced he was on the
point Of asking some questions, but if he had
such an idea be thought better of it. As the
days went by Mrs. Whipple grew stronger,
and we resumed our excursions, she making
one of the party. The hills and canyons about
Manitou were sblaze with the most brilliant
and beautiful flowers and Ida was continual
ly climbing to almost inaccessible heights in
search of something new and rare. Mrs.
Whipple never mustered courage to 20 with
her but once.
Mrs Marvin" she said 81 do not think
it is safe. You really ought to stop her. She
dragged me up one hill as steep as the side
OF house, and when we got to the top it was
just little narrow ridge and the other side
was just as steep. l wouldn't have stood up
right on that ridge for anything. l thought
o-SN4N oNACA1 tuAlblS Oh lltO lLt IhNlut, huu
l sat there, wishing could scream for some
one to come and lift me off But Ida ran
about like cat on that narrow little place,
where single misstep would have dashed her
down. oh hundreds of feet-picking Indian
pinks !"
laughed at Mrs. Whipple's fright, and ad-
vised her to stay at home with me. had no
fears for Ida, but had no fancy for such kind
of climbing myself. The time was rapidly
nearing for US to return. We felt well salts
fed with the result of our winters soiourn.
Herberts health seemed completely restored,
while Ida's throat was entirely well and her
general health superb. We we're now plan
ming few last excursions before we left for
home. We were going directly East, taking
Mrs. Whipple with US, while DIR. Harrison
would spend the summer months in the noun
tains, intending to winter in California
Mrs. Whipple and l we're sitting on the
porch one morning, when DIR. Harrison came
up to arrange the details of the ascent of
Pixies Peak, which he, with Herbert and Ida,
proposed making very soon. Mrs whipple
and l did not feel equal to such an undertak-
ing, but the others were enthusiastic. Her
bert was out this morning with a riding party,
and Ida had gone for flowers DR.. Harrison
sat down with US, and tried to persuade US to
join the party.
~NSe - oaih lAib. Nnlpplt, anu MIS-.
Marvin l wish you would not let Ida 90. 1
know she will get hurt. She fairly takes my
breath away, she is so reckless and daring,
never thinking of danger. Do prevent this
scheme, won't you ?"
DR.. Harrison looked at her curiously.
Mrs. Whipple, he said, II really cannot
understand your great fondness for Miss Win
throp, you are so totally unlike"
Mrs: Whipple turned upon him. Her eyes
flashed
''Dr Harrison" she said, ''if l did not
adore Ida Winthrop should be wicked, un-
grateful woman. From the first day came
here, when she found me down by the Narsj
spring, almost desperate in my helplessness
and weakness, she has been to me the most
faithful, untiring friend that ever woman had.
Unlike me! it was good thing for me that
she was. Little helpless idiot that am
didn't know enough to make a bowl of cruel
properly or spread a mustard paste for my
sick husband. Ida used to get up in the ear
ly morning and come down and get my hus-
bands breakfast for him before she had had
her own because did not know enough to do
it. She helped me get him up every morning
and put the room in order for your visit with
her own dear hands, because did not know
hoy never can tell half she has done for
me- but she is an angel. Never speak slight
ingly of her in my presence, Dr. Harrison-I
won't hear it.
Dr. Harrison looked perfectly dazed for a
few moments. Then he said:
''Is this true Mrs. Marvin"
So, Herbert not being there TO prevent me,
told him the story of Ida's life. What a
sweet, self-denying daughter and sister she
had been and how the whole family loved
and depended upon her; and took this op-
portunity to give him the scolding for his sus-
picous injustice that had been aching to
bestow upon him all winter. 1t did me good,
at all events, whether he was benefited there
by or not. He heard me meekly and patient
ly. When had finished he asked very quiet
ly
(which way did Miss Winthrop go"
"Over in the canyon between Red and Iron
mountains, answered Mrs. Whipple. "She
has gone to look for columbines that can
yon is just full of them"
DR.. Harrison bowed and left us.
Mrs. Whipple and sat there, waiting as
patiently as we could for the denouement 1t
was more than two hours, however, before we
saw the two returning, walking very slowly.
They came up the steps of the piazza togeth-
er. Ida's face was flushed, and there were
traces of tears on her cheeks, but she did not
look altogether miserable.
DIR. Harrison led her up to rue.
Mrs. Marvin" he said, 81 have been an
egregious fool, and worse, I'm afraid but Ida
has forgiven me- Do you think you can ever
take me back into your good graces p
And Ida, half-tearful, half-aughing, with
just a spark of mischief in her eye, said
Mrs. Marvin, he says he is pronounced
woman suffragst. "-Sunday Republican.
The Infancy Of Navigation.
Rear Admiral George Henry Preble, u S.