Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-04-22

fcation only, for she knew to a cent the
state of her finances.
PardOnably she wept a little that her
work was accomplished. The goal was
reached she had set, and beyond which She
had not before looked Now She was
brought face to face with blankness
Whittier should she wander through it,
and what should she strive for? She asked
herself these questions, for it was borne in
upon her that the old desire was thing of
| the past, being gratifed, and that she must
discover a new one. Through anticipation
her hope had mirrored brightly, but now
she found its reverse side dull: and with
the disappointment mingled a bitter sur
prise that it was SO.
The widow broke in upon this coniurcd-
up sadness with real living sorrow of her
own. She was crying. and all Abby S
heart-tenderness went out to her at once.
for the widow was proud little woman
and had kept her greis at home until now,
fairly driven for consolation to Abby
kindly arms. And there she lay and sob
bed her story how Jim had been placed
under bonds and had broken them.and could
not pay and must 90 away to some prison
Little 10y little she laid bare the trial OF
desOlate years. and Abby listened sympa-
thetically.
"Jim could get away" said the widow.
che would 90 into the navy as his father
did. Jim always wanted to, but couldn't
let him 60: he is all l have. He can do
nothing else and | would not let him 90.
| was so SELFISH kept him against his
leaning-and now he must 90 to prison.
! It's judgment on me
And Abby consoled her distress and
lulled her to rest as gently as she would a
grievng child.
The next day Abby strobe down the
white road to the village, and drew all her
money from the bank. The cashier ioked
her upon her extravaganza.
"Going to buy gold-heeled shoes now,
Abby
She looked mp smiling. eyes, my gold
heeled shoes. Took long time to pay for
Them didn't it?"
~ wish we might all get them if it
would make us look as happy as You do
now, said he.
Abby marched from the bank into the
presence of the town officials sitting on
Jim Bankers case. The constable was
there ready to conduct him to the state re-
formatOry.
"What will it cost to get Jim off9' She
demanded.
cone hundred dollars, said the clerk
Abby counted the amount on the table
while all the room stared. Come, jim.
said she
Jim came from his constable-guarded
corner, and followed her out. He was
amazed. His malodorous career had not
| brought him many acts of kindness at the
towns-people's hands. "What does this
mean, Miss Amy, he said huskily
She smiled at him reassuringly. "Just
this, Jim-gold-heeled shoes. And jim
90 home now. and say good-hy to your
mother Then be good sailor-and a
man.
Quickly he stood bareheaded. before
God, I'll try" he said
That night the widow again lay in Alb
by $ arms 'Jm's gone. he told me all. ''
she whispered. GLOW could you9 Abby.
Abby, here I've lived beside You for years.
and never knew Won.
Il haven't changed a speck. said Abby.
in affected grimness. her face turned away.
ABBY, don't turn away; you've saved
Jim. on We saved me And think what
it cost. "Oh, Abby, your gold-heeed
shoes
There, don't mind. Leather is good
enough the rest OF the way"
81 can never pay You back, Abby, but
while l have crust "Oh. Abby,
can't tell you all ! think. she cried. for
the event bore poetic fancy into her plain
furnished mind. But ! do believe your
gold-heeled shoes are laying up Tor you to
walk the streets OF paradise ''-Harper'H
UeekM.