Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-09-09

We did not live in the grand house
then, but in a small one OH an old
fashioned street. There were five of
us Brandons, Jack, Nan, Helen, Cecil
and |, Dorothy, large family to sup
port Oh the very modest income mother
derived from the property papa left
her. Jack had been expected to fol-
low papas footsteps and study for the
ministry, but the life was not suited
TO his pushing. energetic nature. Poor
Jackl EIe had a hard struggle TO
bring mamma around to his way
of thinking, but by-.mi-by she was
forced to yield anu allow him to aban'
don tho idea Of professional career
altogether.
lie Ind great scheme for making
his fortune in the West, but it re-
quired capital, and we had very little
of that. Nevertheless, Jack would
not give up; the idea was good one,
and sooner or later he could make il
WORK, he declared.
The two other girls, Nan and Helen,
had their own congeninl tastes and
pursuits, and dorothy had my
separate life. road and studied,
dreamed and planned, rs every girl
will do, laughed at generally practical
Jack and the girls, but always helped
aud encouraged by Jacks friend,
Philip Hurcourt.
Ii was strange that such strong
friendship should have grown between
us two, for Philip was much older
than |, practical, sensible mau, aud |
was only Dorothy, the dreamer, as
they called me, queer mixture of
sense and nonsense, childish impul-
siveness and girli,h fancics. Yet he
always sympathizad with me, always
drcw me on to tell him all my fancies.
Ho was Dorothy's friend truly-in
those days lcforc tho change which
altered all our lives.
Mammals uncle, an old man who
hated my father because he was n
clergyman, "u creature of ideals, with
no practical ability" as he character
lied him, and who, since papa's death,
had paid very little attention to us,
died aud left his entire fortune to me
TO me, Dorothy Brandon.
Why not to Jack, who needed it SO
much? Why impose such crushing
responsibility upon me? 1t was
strange to find myself risen from in
significant Dorothy to u person of sub
stance, and confess that at first |
felt miserably nervous and frightened,
instead of pleased at the prospect of
my good fortune. 1t WAS useless 10
attempt to Shift any of tho weight of
responsibility TO jacks shoulders, for
beyond moderate sum to enable him
to develop his cherished schemes ho
would have nothing to do with my
money.
But mamma and the girls were ra-
dianlly happy. They didn't feel their
dignity impaired, as Jack did, because
the money happened to be left TO mo,
and when mamma saw my pcrplexity
she wisely undertook TO help her bur-
dcncd daughter.
But another thing troubled me
greatly. Philip was 50 changed. The
first time he called after the funeral |
was alone in the parlor and ran to
him at once, expecting holp and SYM
pathy as usual, but the moment | met
his eyes full knowledge of the change
in him and its cause flashed upon me,
Another knowledge came as quickly
knowledge that gave me exquisite
pleasure aud quick, Keen pain, that
lied my tongue and made me for the
first time in my lifo shy and con-
strained with him. All at once
knew the true meaning Of our friend
ship. He was not my friend but my
lover, aud now this wrctched money
was to come between us. When | was
poor hc had meant to win me; now
that | was rich he would not take adj
vantage of my girlish liking, bu
would leave lie free.
And what could | do2 Nothing
only wait in silence whilo every day
we driftcd further away.
grew nervous and irritable will
thc long strain; it told upon m
health, too, and just before Christina
severe cold, combining with til,
nervous anxiety Of the last few
months, made mo really i'll. For
day or two dragged myself abou
refusing my mothers entrcaties TO se'
the doctor; all the time hoped h
would como without being summoned
One afternoon l was lying on
couch in the library, wrapped il
shawIs, with my aching head burie,
in the pillow, when someone opene,
tho door and came in. All the colo
| lnfL MY fncn In Ihn ininnan inu of 900