Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-04-04

tagged out" she said briskly; "be careful to
put your candle out when you're ready for
bed"
The wavering light played with picturesque
effect on the silvery hair lying softly against
her brow. Her brave, self reliant little fig
ure caught a mysterious charm from the
shadows piled up behind her.
"Wait-please wait a moment" said the
stranger, in a weak, choked voice. as she
turned to go. evil you shake hands with
me' Thank you" as she gave her hand gen
tly and wonderingly. This day has been of
pure gold You're a good woman. Your
charity does not sting"
The undercurrent of feeling in his tones
electrified her and she went away rembing.
What was there about this homeless one that
made her think of one dead to her these many
years. Miss Elizabeth began to despise her
self as a soft hearted old fool.
Bedtime came and she and Lucy sat for a
while by her window looking up at the clear
sky where the large stars burned, shedding
halo of star dust on the world. Then her
thoughts went back to him. Was he aseepl
No, impossible. He was doubtless wonder
ing YEARLY where he would drift on the NOR
row and how it would all end
Suddenly she and Lucy looked at each
other with startled faces. What was that
soundl They listened again. A stealthy
footstep a voice and little vibration as
something fell
Hes not asleep at all she said in an ex
cited whisper. whats he dongnow2 was a
fool to let him in, mebbe. How do know the
mans not a theft There-dont you hear
him speakingl He's let in an accomplish while
we were downstairs. Oh what fool was
I'm going to get Peter I'll show him we're
not so green either"
Let me go with YOU" chartered Lucy
taking hold of Miss Elizabeth's skirts, AM
without making sound they crept through
the dark halls to Peters door
In few moments he joined them, carrying
a revolver and a candle. Miss Elizabeth will
stout cane followed, and Lucy, trembling
with fear, kept close by her side. When the,
reached the door leading into the attic Mis-
Elizabeth pushed Peter aside.
LET Inc go first. I'll face him." she SAT-
in an indignant whisper
She paused and bent her ear forward Yes
there was the sound again, and his candl
was still burning, as she could see by tn
thread of light stealing under the door. Sh
turned the knob quickly and the trio burs
into the room without any sort of warning
and saw-not pair of thieves plotting a rot
bery-but the stranger sobbing like chill
over little book pressed fervently in hi
hands.
"What is it, What's he got thereln asked
Peter
Miss Elizabeth knew. Her face grew whit
as the kerchief around her neck 1t was
little time stained volume of Goldsmith
"Vicar of Wakefield" which her old love
had given her in the early days of thei
courtship, and it had lain for many years i
the attic with babies cradles, TOYS. children
useless little garments and other dust
tokens of the past She looked at the THU
wan face on which the candlelight played
1t was turned from her now in shame.
She stood erect, her eyes misty and que
tioning, her hands folded tensely before her
is it Dick," she asked.
II meant you should never know" the oil
man stammered, and she saw the tears ste;
from beneath his lowered lids,
Why did she not hate himi Why did 81
almost forgive him without question. II
why or wherefore was past her KNOWN,
She only knew that the sight of him move
her deeply.
But she struggled against the feeling tn;
well nigh overmastered her, and the pride c
a stanch New England woman flushed hi
cheek No, she could not forget the bite
ness of the past.
She felt the warmth ooze away from h,
her heart. She became his judge, and all II
details of her unhappy past rose one after a
other as witnesses against him. When 81
spoke her voice was cold, and Peter ha
never before seen such bright, stern ligl
in her eyes