The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-07

sound of everyday life and activity, she
opened the door of a small, unoccupied
room, used as lumber closet, and throw
ing herself down in q corner, gave herself
up completely to her wretched thoughts.
/" / can't never go to the home," said
querulous voice on the other side of the
thin wall, can that you'd think of it in
my old age, John Simmons, is enough to
make folks cry out ag'in you"
Keziah sat up straight as an arrow from
her crouching position on the floor, just in
time to hear voice like her husbands,
and yet how unlike, attempt to answer the
complaints.
"There is no other way, mother !" it
said. "My wife certainly has done her
duty by you. But she is not able to do
more. 1t is not right that she should.
And the home is pleasant place. If |
only could, mother, do more for you y
"An' why can't you, ! sh'd like to
know ?" Another voice took up the
strain--a sharp, high-keyed one that
showed every symptom of speaking its
owners mind. "Just because her father
was thief an swindler an land knows
what all, an you've been tryin' to keep
her all these years from KNOWN how you
paid up the bills an tried to keep folks
from talkin'" -
There was a rustic on Keziah's side of
the wall, little dash along the hall, and
then she stood among them. The little
head was straight up now the bright,
black eyes were full of fire, as she said in
clear-cut tones to her husband, not mind
ing in the least the sstonished group:
els it true, John ?"
"What, Keziah ?" he asked and for q
second forgetting the enlargement, he
started forward as of old.
"About-about father ?" She looked
steadily at him, waiting for an answer.
If glance could have snnihilated, Sis
ter Sarah would never have spoken her
of years disappear in a moment. He
could only try to say Don't worry, or
imagine trifes, Keziah."
ais it true ?" she still repeated, not
taking off her gaze from his face.
And he, the honest, true man, could do
nothing else but say eyes"
"Then," said Keziah, and all the blood
in her little body rushed up into her
face, dyeing it scarlet, "you are the
noblest, best, and grandest husband that
was ever given to a wife. l don't ask
you to love me, John. don't see how you
have all this time. / only say, forgive
me-" She clasped her hands together
and stood perfectly still, her face now
pale as DEATH"
Glove you !" cried her husband, Glove
you Oh My wife, !"
Somehow. Keziah never knew just how
and John didn't seem to remember, she
found herself in his arms, folded close tt
his heart, while perfect rain of kisse.
descended on cheek and lip and brow.
Mother" said "rSister Sarah" giving
her a nudge, "corne; it's time for you L
60 to bed"
"But don't wanter," said the old lady
pettishly, who was little broken, anC
having no thoughts beyond her own troub
les, had seen nothing. can 'tisn't TO
you to send me off, like child"
Swell, you must 60, at any rate" ejacu
lated Sarah, with determined snap; ant
without any further demur she took hole
of her elbow and fairly hooked her out O
her chair and escorted her safely out
Cant you never tell, I'd like to know
when you amt wanted"
"Yis; | know ain'tl' exclaimed tn
old lady, taking pretty long steps to keel
up with her daughters excited move
ments, which were anything but graceful
-" I'm TO be sent to The Home an you'll
have to 60 along too, so you needn't b.
80 smart"
"There amt no home for us but thi
one" said Sarah, pointing with her thumb
backward into the tiny bedroom tina
Keziah with all her care had managed t,
keep cozy and neat for "John's mothe
and sister," "Land O. lives, ma, we'll b,
wanted now and loved, and set by, if W
hain't never been afore. An that's
fact There, now then, I'll get your night
cap "-Margaret Sidney, in Independent