News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1889-12-26
window. His pale face put on a look

and take her under proper shelter,
will have him arrested for crpeltv +
animalsl'
The servant pushed into the crowC
and a moment after returned an
scrambled on his box.
81 told him, SIR he said.
''Drive on!" commanded the gentle
man, sharply, and the carriage role
away down the street, and vanished i
the gathering night.
On the platform the sword disar
peared in its sheath, and old Hagan'
ILLUSTRATION proceeded to hide he
naked arms and tinsel gown under he
long cloak. Some bottles of elixi
were passed down to the crowd, and
corresponding number of dollars fount
their way to Hagan's fiappy pocket
The receipts were not large. Plainl,
a Chrlstmas-eve, with the thermometer
approaching zero, was not favorable
time for the sale of patent-medicine
The crowd ebbed from the platform
and dispersed in the street. Hagal
gathered up his bottles. and said to tn,
girl: "Come along, Esther!" and tn,
pair trudged off across the bare, bleal
common.
Her red Turkish slippers were now
thrust into ugly overshoes, and Esther
walked as if foot-sore and weary
Even the holiday splendor of the little
shops failed to arrest her notice.
''Daddy!" she groaned, 'Fm awful
ly cold and very hungry!''
'"Hold up, grill" he answered, not
unkindlY. 81 know of a public-house
near by-we'll stop there You shall
have cup of tea, and I'll comfort my
self with glass of toddy."
They found the house and turned
into it. Old Hagan sat down before a
cheerful fire to count his receipts.
''Let's not go out again tonight,
daddy" pleaded the girl. 'sPe0ple
will not buy the elixir on Christmas
eve, and snow is beginning to fall"
They could hear the soft rush of
flakes against the window. In the
chimney the wind howled like a wolf.
''Come, now" said Hagan, sus-
piciously, ''you've been only a month
on the road, Esther; and hanged if l
don't think you're a-growing sick of it
alreadyl"
She flung out her arms with tragic
gesture.
81 am, daddy ami" she ac-
knowledged, in a heart-broken voice
"To tramp all day, hungry and cold,
from town to town-to be stared at by
strange eyes-it is very hard! And
oh. daddy, it kills me to remember how
happy l once was"
''Hark - interrupted Hagan. ''There
IS somebody at the door"
He went forward in answer to
sharp knock. Into the room pranced
he coachman whom both had seen on
he village common.
II felt sure that | should find you
lere," began the man. ''My master,
dr. Brockholt, has sent me to fetch
-ou to his house. He's the sick gent
hat was in the carriage tonight and |
rave you the bank-note. Come along,
I'D man, and young miss with you.
Mr.. Brockholt doesn't like to be kept |
Waiting"
Old Hagan swelled with Importance
81 see' he said, '"your master wants |
few bottles of my elixir. I'll wait |
lpon him at once. Hurry, Esther" |
"Must l go. too?" she said with a
yrimace.
eyes, miss" answered the coach
nan; "Mr. Brockholt was very par
ocular to speak of YOU
She donned her old cloak YEARLY, |
At the door waited the
banking bays and the elegant carriage.
"My eyes ~ cried old Hagan, "but
ne fame of the elixir is spreadingl
here's some rare streak of luck ahead
E us to-night!''
They entered the carriage, and were .
'iven away through the storm-swept !
reefs of the village. Esther leaned |
lex among the soft cushions, with a
oh of intense enjoyment. Old Hagan
oked from the window, and saw an I
ched gate set in high boundary |
all. Through this the horses turned, q
Id dashing up a drive, stopped be-
re stone house, with a tall tower /
Id rows of lighted windows, stand 5
g in forest of Norway frs.
A footman opened the door. Esther '
nd Hagan followed him across a +
ainscoted hall, where wax-lights t
zone in old wrought-silver scon"es, c
nd the lackey, pushing aside a por-
ere, called, 1.-THE parties from the !
IN, sir" and waved the pair into a
pom beyond.
1t was a splendid apartment, fur {
ished in subdued colors, and warmed {
Y blazing Yule-log. In the glow of
he fire stood an invalid-chair, cush- {
)ned like a sultan's couch; in it re- (
lined a man, young in years, but pale :
nd wasted. His languid head, resting
gainst the silken pillows, was matched
nth smooth flaxen hair, and he wore
forked beard of the same hue.
A black velvet dressing gown
his long, gaunt figure; against
he rich fabric lay his hands, like sym
letrical pieces of Parian-on one, a
ing, set with a big diamond, threw
ack the flash and sparkle of the Yule-
Og.
81 saw you on the common to-
light" began Adam Brockholt, as he
urned to his visitors. ~ could not
rive you from my thoughts, so | sent
ny servant to bring yoH here"
''Sir," cried old Hagan, fumbling at
lis bag of medicine, ''here are six bot
les of my elixir. Whatever your dis
ase may be, I'm ready to warrant a
ure cure"
The jeweled hand checked him
quickly.
THAT stuff! Don't let me see it."
He beckoned Esther forward.
'|Your name?" he said.
esther Heath"
ssThen you are not this mans daugh- |
.er? Who taught you the sword-exer- |
;ise?"
"My father, sir-he kept fencing
school-he is now dead"
els it true that Hagan saved your
life month ago."
She grew shade paler.
eyes"
"And brought you to your present
physical perfection by the use of his
nostrum"
..No; | was never i'll, sir-it is part
Of our business to say that. He saw
me drowning in a river-he pulled me
out"
Old Hagan turned his head and
couohed. Brockholt did not seem to
hear him-he was gazing fixedly at the
girl. The freight seemed to draw
blue sparks from his eyes, as it did
from the ring on his hand.
Il will ask you but one more ques-
ton" he said. 'Have you husband