The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-11-28

after long time, he opened his eyes,
his first word was, "Gracc,"
"Do you want her Gerald?n asked
Laurence. bending over him.
Eyes" said Gerald. 81 have found it
for her at last"
"Found what?"
"Thc fourleaved shamrock"
And optaing his hand, he showed the
little leaf which he had all through
managed to keep safely incloscd within
his palm.
"rhe four-lcavcdl Shamrock"
Don't you remembcrl Grace wanted
it. She said that if she had one she
could make your uncle forgive YOU"
Il remember" said Laurence. with a
pang at his heart.
"What does he mcan?" asked Mr..
Latouche.
81 am afraid he must have overheard
some testing nonsense of ours about a
four-leaved shamrock. You know it is
said to be a talisman. May | bring
Grace here, sir"
Certainly, if The poor child wishes
Tor her Take the pony-carriagc.'
Laurence hurried away, and in a little
time the DOCTOR who had been sent for,
came. He said that Gerald had received
some injury, causing internal hemor-
rhage, and that his life wasa question of
minutes rather than of hours.
After little time he opened his ewes
and asked again for Grace.
Il" She will be here very soon now"
answered Mr.. Latouche.
He was standing a little behind the
sofa, and Gerald was quite unconscious
that the gentle tones to which he now
listened were those of Laurence's terrible
uncle.
a. am so afraid of being asleep when
she comes,n said Gerald. 81 want to
give her the our-leavcd shamrock. She
will be so glad to get it, she need not be
afraid of Laurencc's cross uncle any
more
" Does Laurence say that his uncle is
crcss!' asked Mr.. Latouche, his face
changing.
No." said Gerald: "Laurence is
very fond of him and Grace says that he
is good, and that it is foolish of me to
be so much afraid of him; but | think
she is afraid herself for she never will
walk near the mills for fear of meeting
him.
The sound of wheels was now heard
and moment later Grace entered with
Laurence.
She went straight over to the sofa and
knelt beside it. When Gerald saw her.
his whole face lighted up with Joy.
See, Gracie' he whispered, showing
his prize. 81 have found the four-leafed
shamrock"
"Oh, Gcraldr' sobbcd Grace, 81 shall
never forgive myself if my foolish talk
has led to this"
Don't cry about me-" said Gerald, II
am not really hurt. Put your arm round
me-so. Now can 90 to sleep comforta-
bly,. You need not be afraid of Lau-
rcnce's uncle any more"
81 would rather never have seen
Laurence again than this should have
She cried, passionately.
Fright said Mr.. Latouche in answer
to Laurencc's look of dismay, "she is all
the better worth winning for not being
ready to fling old ties to the winds for
the sake of her lover. How fond of her
that poor boy secmsw
When Gerald next opened his eyes Mr..
Latouche, moved by sudden impulse,
bent over him.
Gerald" he said, 81 can promise
you that your cousin need never again be
afraid of Laurence's uncle
- know" said Gerald, dreamily,
% she will always be happy now"
" As happy as Laurence and l can
make her."
Gerald smiled and closed his eyes.
After time Laurence, seeing how it
was, took him from Gracc's arms, and
laid him back upon the sofa.
1T is best as it is, Grace" he whis-
pcred; his life as he grew older could
scarcely have been a happy one. Up to
his you have made it So
The four lcaved shamrock, incloscd
within a golden circlet of Gerald's hair,
hangs IN locket from Graces watch
chain. Either by means of this, or of
some other talisman in her possession,
She has east such a spell over Mr.. La
ouche that not even Laurence himself
IS more devoted to her than is the stern
uncle to propitiate whom poor Gerald
lost his life