Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-02-20

from stool near the bright, cheerful fre Of
wood.
Gretty had just dressed for the evening, and
very simple but neat was her attire. She was
slight and delicate in form, with sparkling
eyes and an eager, pretty face.
She asked fifty questions OF Bernezell, near
ly oil on the same subject and when the
chamois-bunter bade the mother goodnight
at last and went away, he beckoned Gretty to
follow.
HE has something to tell me, " said Gretty
to herself, her fair face flushing with anxiety.
Very humble are the heroes of this little
tale, but in Gretty's eyes her Rudolf was by
no means humble. No young man in all the
glen was so tall, fresh and rosy, so stalwart
and strong as Rudolf, goat-herder though he
was. None had 30 beautiful voice, so white
brow, such glossy hair. None could bound
from crag 10 orAg, or climb the mountain
steep, ak in hand, so bravely as he did and
his wild glouglou at suntise or sunset could
be heard ringing high DER hill and glen, aud
reeJhoed, too from peak to peak. Aud Gret.
ty, simple lassie, loved him 30 dearly and de-
votedly.
There was a scimitar moon shining through
the pine-tree tops, aud the stars we're all out,
so there was light enough to see the foot path
that led to the we'll Here was seat, and
Bernezell did not say word, anxious though
Gretty was, until be got there. The truth is,
this honest chamois hunter hardly knew what
10 say, or how much 10 fairness he dare tell
the girl.
Probably he ought to have thrown the mis-
ers Offering in his face, and, stgmRtizing him
as villain, refused to have anything to do
with his plans and schemes. But" thought
he, "it do my friends life Is not worth a
davta Mur1a~ 10. ka, aA
among these mountains before an assassin
is easily hired. No, I'll take the cash, and
I'll keep Rudolf away for a time. shall not
spend the money, though have a brother
in Paris who will be glad to see us. And the
money I'll send as gift 10 Gretty's mother
when her daughter is married. She will not
know where It comes from, and 1t will keep
her in comfort for years."
"Gretty, my little sister, he said when they
were seated by the WE'LL you won't see nor
hear from your lover for two whole months.
He is well and will be we'll He and are CO.
ing together. 1t will be for your good-at
least for your mothers. cannot tell you
more. Nay, l pray you, do not ask My
lips are sealed, You'll be true 2"
There we're tears and prayers and entreaties,
but Bernezell remained as firm as the rocks
that lowered over them yet when he left
next day to seek his friend in the bills he car
ried with him lock of bonnie hair in tiny
parcel, and beside it the blue ribbon that had
bound it.
Rudolf was rejoiced at the idea Of going to
Paris, but couldn't he go to see Gretty FIRST
No, there wasn't an hour to lose. He must
come at once or stay.
Then I'll go" said the young man. Il
can trust Gretty."
You may, indeed"
And what deal I'll have to tell her when
do get back !"
Yes" said Bernezell, laughing.
So away they went over the hills.
Old Won Hausen was a friend Of Gretty's
mother. Grettys father and he had been in
separables. He came to the cottage now ev-
cry day. He read to the old lady and talked
much with the daughter. His universal
themes we're money and poverty-the pleas
ures the former could bring, the misery en-
tailed by the latter.
He broached the subject nearest his heart
first to the mother, and, strange or not
strange, he gained her consent to marry
Gretty.
Meanwhile weeks few by, and there was no
word from Rudolf. Weeks and a month, and
then two. Oh what has become of him ?
Was he false ? Impossible
But terrible storm, with q slight shock of
earthquake, took place, and all Gretty's goats
At all events the doors were found open, and
the goats had fallen or been cast over preci-
pice near the cottage. Near that dear old
well where she had plighted her troth she now
must sit and weep.
Ah it was the mournful tale Of "Auld
Robin Gray" repeating itself. For Gretty's
'Mother she fen sick"
poverty stared them in the face, and they
we're beholden to the charity of Won Hansen
the miser.
By night as we'll as by day Gretty toiled
hard with her knitting needles. Work was
the only consolation, the only relief, she could
find. And her face grew wan, and dark cir
cles appeared about her beautiful eyes. What
can be harder to bear than grief and poverty,
tooI
Many months went by, and still no lover
returned.
Won Hansen had heard that he was dead
that did not add to Gretty's grief. Some one
else heard he was married this was worse,
but she bore it,
Meanwhile where we're the truants
Bernezell had found his brother ailing, and
at the end of & month medical men had pre-
scribed q voyage TO Madeira. They would
just get back within Eve weeks then they
would both return to the dear little cot among
the Swiss mountains, and Rudolf would mar
ry his Gretty. Here at Madeira Bernezelrs
brother died.
I'VE are wealthy now, alasl" said Berne-
zell, land wen go shares"
The steamer that was to take them to France
was week behind time. One day, "Yonder
she is ~ shouted Rudolph, ind of they both
went and we're bundled on board. The ship
stayed but an hour then steamed away again,
bound for the distant Cape. They had board
ed the wrong sbipl
There came a day when in the little cottage
among the bills Gretty sat weeping by her
mothers bedside, and near her stood Won
Hausen. The doctor had just gone. Moth
ing, be said, except change, could save the
patients life.
NOW. Gretty, my child, now or never !"
cried the old man. "Bs my wifei Give me
the right to save your mothers life. Gretty,
be minel"
Gretty's mother did not speak, but
"she gazed IN arsttys face till her heart was like to
break"
Gretty stood up-tearless now, but with a
sad, pale face. She took her mothers hand.
Give me the right to save your mothers
life, pleaded the miser one again.
"Stay J" cried q manly voice, II have pri-
or claim"
Next moment, with fond cry, and color
in her cheeks once more, Gretty was pressed
to her lovers breast.
That day three weeks sdinkle-dinkle-
kle-dang went the village bells. Not pretty
bells at all-indeed, 1 always thought they
were pot metal-but how sweetly they sound
ed in Grettys ears She was going to church
to be married. That ends my story, as mar
riage ends all stories. Yet one word few
years after this the old miser died, and Ru-
dolf found himself his heir. "As some reps-
ration" said the will. 'for evil done and med.
itated. - Gordon Std6Ler.
The Song OF II MahdI.