The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-12-15


but a thread of gold now-asking her
to wear it until he came back.
" For" said he, "I'll never come back
till | can offer you name and a home.
Somehow the devil has had possession
of me lately, but, bad as | am, would
scorn to do what they accuse me Of
torture feeble old man. While you
believe and trust me, there are plenty
who do not" And with a last =" Good
bye, my Beth" he was gone.
When the first letter came, addressed
to Miss Beth Allen in Wills round, boy
ish hand, Mr.. Allen frowned and his
wife scolded, but when she was for
stopping the correspondence at once
he said:
d" There, there, mother, let the girl
write to him if she wants to; she won't
do him any harm, and l can trust her,
for a true Allen will not go far out of
the way"
So the matter mad dropped, and for
five years 'Lizabeth's letters were re-
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and unexpectedly.
For months Elizabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an " told you he
didn't amount to nything," whenever
there was no one but her husband to
hear, and Mr. Allen waited in silence.
Time does much toward healing such
wounds, and five years had made it
seem more like an unpleasant dream
than reality, when the news of WHY'S
return came, awakening memories OF
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weather.
wise. The snow had fallen through
the night, covering the earth as with
mantle; the feathery flakes continued
to come lazily down until just before
twelve O'clock then there was rift in
the western sky, and when the old yell
low sleigh stood at the door the snow
shone as bright as ever.
{" BE careful, father, and don't let
Elizabeth get cold waiting for YOU"
was Mrs. Aliens parting injunction, as
she came to the door to see them off.
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly-fallen snow and send it in
little whirs to lie sparkling and glist-
ening a few yards from where it had
fallen. Robin was in excellent spirits
and Mr.. Allen declared, as he drew up
in front of the village post-office, that
the distance had never seemed so short.
- Draw the robe close around you,
darter, and don't get tired waiting. I've
got to bargain with Sam Chase about
that store, but I'll be quick as | can
then Wen drive down to Burnham's
and get the book you mentioned. "
With this and an extra pull at Robins
blanket, Mr.. Allen was gone.
L. l. H. 4 ,11 1n,,. =
more comfortable than the new one,' y
Elizabeth thought, as she nestled down
in one corner, drawing the robe more
closely to keep out the puffs of wind
| that tried to find entrance at all corners.
While tucking the robe between the
cushion and side of the sleigh her
| fingers touched something smooth, like
paper.
cone of fathers old receipts; he's
so careless,n she thought, with fond
smile, as she drew it forth for inspec-
ton. But a glance was needed to
show her mistake.
1t was letter yellow with age, un.
opened and addressed to herself in the
handwriting she knew so well. She
could scarcely trust her eyes, but there
was the familiar postmark-San Fran.
cisco-and she was just leaning forward
to read the date when gust of wind
taking it from her hands, deposited it al
the feet of gentleman who was pass
ing.
She dared not look up, but in a mo-
ment he was handing it toward her
saying:
% Is this your property, Miss Allen?'
hn Of
changed she would know it anywhere
the hot blood rushed to her face anC
she had scarcely courage to reply:
" think so; l never saw it before"
She felt the keen eyes search her face
and there was touch of scorn in The
question that followed:
Sc 1t is an old letter addressed to you
and you never saw il before?"
She felt that she must vindicate her
self, and heranswer came, full and clear
/" just found it in the old sleigh.
do not know how long it has lain there.
He glanced again at the letter; i
must be the same one, he knew the
date so well. The tone was almos
eager now:
"You never saw it before, Beth?'
You did not receive it, my last letter
and leave it unanswered?'
"Could you doubt me, WHIP" Sh'
was looking him in the face now.
81 might have known better, but you
were always so punctual, and when
received no answer to my last letter
was too proud to ask an explanation
thought you had given me up, lik
every one else in B. Can you for
give me for my want of confdence?'
But he needed not words for answer
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying bacl
the old sleigh had two occupants. Itwa
some time before they could explain
affairs to his bewildered mind, bu
when light began to dawn, he exclaimed
Z" 1t was that jim; he's so careless
Lost letter for me onceW
Will was persuaded to accompan
them home, and it was very merr
! party that surprised Mrs. Allen by thei
early appearance.
AS soon as possible Mr.. Allen hurried
his wife off to the kitchen to unrave
! the mystery, while Win and 'Lizabet
read and reread the old letter by tn
; light of the hickory fire.
What Ruth Miller would say was
source of much anxiety to Mrs. Allen
until one day VIII remarked, much t
her peace of mind, that Ruth had bee
pnUa0a6 for soma tina IN a friand 4