The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-01-04

you expect? Go back to bed--you
can't do no good!"
But the honest farmer, melted by
the child's look Of wild, dumb distress,
opened wide his arms.
Iris Brooke ilew into them, and burst
into wild tempest Of sobs and tears,
with her face buried on his shoulder.
"Now. what is the Use Of that?"
said Mrs. Millson, impatiently. "1f
you was to cry gallon measure full,
you couldn't bring her b..ck; and it's
downright folly Of MiIlson to encourage
it."
But what am y ts1o without
mammal" pleaded the onlid. Where
am | to go?"
ITO the asylum, to-be-sure p prompt
ly answered Mrs. AIillson, needless of
her husbands gestures for silence.
"And be thankful that the town finds
so good a home as that for you, Now,
Millson, you needn't be glimacing at
me in that sort Of a way. Facts Is
facts, and Pm only speaking for the
child's own goodp'
I'D rather die," breathed Iris in so
low a tone that only Joab Millson
heard the shuddering syllaAles. "Oh,
please don't send me there
The ehild's pathetic words served
only to strengthen resolve that was
gradually forming in the farmers
kindly heart
Becky" he said next morning, to
his wife, don't send 10 the asylum
authorities until / have been to the
city. III see Mrs. Brooke's folks. You
say you found their address among her
papers?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Millson. "But she
told me herself they wouldn't have
nothing to say to her since she married
against their will. Where's the use oi
spending time and money to"
"Death is a wonderful softener,
said Joab. ~ shouldn't be surprised
If they'd be willin' to do something fol
the little gal, arter all. Anyhow IT.
worth trying for
His expedition, however, proved ut
terly fruitless. Mrs. Brooke's relatives
"a sour-faced old mail and a flinty
hearted ship-broker-wecs ineSorable
"she madt her own te,' said one
Now let her lie upon Il
81 warned her just how things woult
turn out" said the other. Il told he
1 washed my hands of her and hel
concerns. And l am not one to g
back from my word. What's that yo'
say? The little girl is not to blame?
am not chopping logic with you,my goo'
man. am simply stating my determi
nation to have nothing to do with eth
er Charles Brooke's wife or daughter
Good morning"
Joab Millson came back home wit
his mind made up.
(Which is worst" said he to himsel
"to tell little fb--a 'pious fraud,' tn
elder would call it, 'spose-or to be
selfish brute. One things sartin!
amt goin' to let little Iris be sent
any asylum! And Rebecca's one {
them women as has got to be managed
"Well," Mrs. Millson said, as he &C
out of the old box wagon that ha
been sent to the depot to meet hin
"What did they say?"
"Well," said Joab, with little twis
of his features, sit aint convenier
for them to receive Iris just now. Bl
we are to keep her.
"On what terms?" said Mrs. Millso
crisply.
"Six dollars week." declared Joa'
inyenting as he went on,
"That amt unreasonable" said Mr.
Nlillson, complacently, But abo'
, her clothes and schoolingy
"Ch, we're to supply all that, ar
they'll pay usl'
: "They give ma money to pay for it
said Joab, who had stopped at the bar
on his way back and drawn out all b
little floating balance of cash.
: "Well, declare" said Mrs. Millso
i with gratiied look. II wish we
: thought Of applying to them befol
o They seem inclined to do the rig
8 thing"
h Joab screwed his face into wor
contortions than ever, the minute
@ wife's back was turned.
al s'pose I'm mis'able sinner"
fl thought "But there! What's +
y low to do, with Iris big, mournful ey
looking up into minep Eve lied likt
trooper; but declare to gracious,
v do the same thing over again to Ike
e little Iris out of the asylum"
,e And looking toward the child.
r. said, aloud:
t YOU'D rather stay with us. Il
y, wouldn't you?'
er Iris nestled fondly up to his side.
You are good to me" said S
q. "But | would starve sooner than 60
ne those people who neglected my p
th mother in her worst need"
ar Co Jris Rrookp grew IN wild love