The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-05-22


She knew that he was growing great as.
well as rich, Men spoke his name al
most in whispers. He went mere and
there, and was fetsil aud praised on every
hand. If he ever thought of Jeannettc
she never knew it, much less had any
token of his remembrance.
But at last came Change. His fast
life undermined all. Wealth went first,
health followed, aud with the loss of
bodily vigor, the loss, also, of mental
strength.
Nothing on earth is so tickle as public
favor, and with the decline Of his idol,
that deserted him, no was glad to retire
to private life, with fame and fortune
both wrecked After time a longing
came over hin to revisit the scenes OF
his youth. He thought then of Jean
nette.
"Married long ago, no doubt" said
he, sand happier than ever would
have made her, poor girl"
He went to the quiet village. Being
weak from i'll health, he did not feel able
for the walk from the station to the no.
tel where he meant to stop, but took his
seat IN one of the carriages waiting at
the railroad, to ride down.
What was it9 Was it retrlbutionf Or
was it the last despairing effort IN behalf
of his good angel, which caused those
staid horses, who never in their lives be-
fore had dreamed of doing such thing,
to run away and upset the carnage,
throwing Stephen out Just at Jeannette
Allyn's door.
Whatever it was, they did it. And
when she came out, grieved to lind a
poor traveller flung lifeless at her door
stone, and babe them carry him in, and
lay him upon her best bed, and hasten
for a physician, she had no idea who the
stranger was.
When, in bathing his pale face with
cool water, she looked at it, she knew
him. She was deeply startled, but that
was all.
ssHe is an old friend. Why should
not care for him." she said.
And so Stephen Foster, shattered
wreck, lay in Jeanette Allyn's best
room, tenderly nursed and waited upon
for days before he knew her, or even
knew where he was.
It was herself who told him.
He feebly asked, one evening, for a
drink of water, and when she gave it, he
recognized her.
"Jeannettew he said. SIS it you
Where am ~
SIT is I, Stephen. You are in my
house." she answered.
"But how came here2"
"The stage was overturned at The
door, you were hurt and Brought here,
she said quietly.
"Have I been trouble to you longT
he said, with panied flush on his palt
face.
''You have been here week, but never
a trouble, Stephen" she answered
quietly.
"And not ungrateful, Jeanette. ART
-you-where is your husband9"
II never had any. am still Jean.
nette Allyn" she answered, still quietly.
"My wife is dead" said Stephen after,
a long pause.
$50 had heard, before you came,
said Jeanette.
"Not only that" said he, "but l have
lost all else: Fame, wealth, health
You have had broken-up wreck cas-
upon your threshold for mercy, my ole
friend"
''Mercy he shall not have, unless hi
stops talking at once, as the doctor ha:
ordered, " said Jeanette, trying to speak
gayly.
''But I cannot stop until you let mt
thank you," said he.
"Wait until you are stronger, then
Stephen, no matter what you are, or wha
you have lost, you are the friend of m,
youth, and you shall share all | have
until you are well enough to meet tn
world on your own account once more
Don't say word, but just rest now
When you are well we will talk it al
over"
Stephen turned his face away, and la
quietly as she bid him do. But ther
were warm tears trickling down upon HI
pillow where she could not see. Thi
was the woman he had thought beneath
him, and deserted for senseless doll o
fashion!
Well, his retribution had overtakel
him, and it was sufficiently bitter.
And well deserved, say you?
Perhaps it was. No doubt it was
But the heart of loving woman can for
give and forget much.
Stephen was now alone and lonely
Jeanette had always been both. s
when he was well again, and able to b
about the house, when he asked her t.
forgive an forget the unhappy past, an'
talk about the last and later love whicl
would never wander from her more, sh
did not say him nay.
Stephen had a small remnant G
,, money left, but he had no other home t
go to. So Jeanette would not let hir
go at all. There was a quiet weddin
in the little church, and then they wen
back to the cottage, which was noI
. home for both of them.
! Of course gossip commented, an
. many said he only married her for
home, and called her fool. But h
really appreciated and loved her at last
and though, no doubt he got better tina
he deserved, Jeanette never was sorr
that she had given it to him. Famil
Herald.
Clever FAT