Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-10-06

Such an awakening, such q vigil comes
sometimes into a life, to stir its hidden
springs of tenderness and turn them out
ward into a wider channel.
1t was Daniels regular custom to build
the fire, and set the kettle boiling before
Nancy got up. When she entered the
kitchen next morning, she found not only
full wood box, but pile of freshly split
kindlings, and a trimming pail OF water
standing in the sink.
"Why, what under 'lection?" she ex-
claimed to herself; "brushed up the stove
hearth, too-an' if he amt gone an
ground up coffee enough for three or four
days 1t amt so good when it's KEEP.
Well, | shan't tell him''-and after the old
couple had had their comfortable breakfast
together, and Daniel had said again, 81
wouldn't do too much today, Nancy" she
remarked in casual tone, at wont take
me long to get my work done. | shan't
have to stir round a great DEAL guess,
everything fixed so handy" 1t was her
way of saying ''thank YOU"
The sight of Nancy going about her
household work i'm her usual way had
something reasshring in it for Daniel.
| The calming routine of everyday life
seemed to lift the disturbing atmosphere
which had settled oppressively upon him,
and he felt a sense of physical relief. As
| they sat before the stove in the evening his
face relaxed, a smile moved around the
corners of his mouth, and he now and
then dropped the back of his hand upon
his knee with gentle slap.
"What you so pleased about, DAMP"
Nancy finally inquired, one evening.
Daniel turned toward her, and laid his
spectacles on the table.
81 was thinking about old times. You
remember the time Leone up to you after
singing school and asked if should see
you home an you says, NO, sir, | can see
myself home" an walked off, an you
hadn't gone three steps before you fell
right down on the ice ker-whack?'
Nancy's face was suddenly flushed.
Remember? | shan't forget it longs
live. | was mortified to pieces! l did
seem to hate to have you come along an
pick me up-but | never'd a spoken to
you again if you HADN'T
"What'd you do it for, then?n asked
Daniel.
81 guess it was because kinder wanted
You for comp'ny, an didn't want anybody
to know it,"
Beats :" said Daniel, in some admi-
ration. "Girls are queer creatures, take
EN- whichever way-so are women-most
women he added, with touch of eau
ton.
"They'd have to be queer to be queerer n
men folks said Nancy. "Nou was a
good deal taken up with Angelina Foskett,
too, bout that time | don't deny she
was pretty looking with those curls of
hers
"Curls are well enough" said her hus-
band, "but they aren't very substantial to
| s..l
we'll" He took off the stove lid to look
at the fire, and put another stick of wood
on, somewhat to Naucy's surprise, for the
temperature of the room had been one of
their points of disagreement, her own en-
feebled frame demanding more heat than
suited her more robust husband.
Better have your shawl on, hadn't
you?" he now remarked. "I'll get it for
you if you'll tell me where it's"
Its in my bedroom. l can get it,"
mo, you sit still" He came back
again with it. 1t was a pretty, old-lady-
like shawl of knit grey, with a lavender
border. Daniel did not put it arr und her
he would not have known how. He
stood holding it awkwardly in his hands.
"Here it's"
"Much obliged, Dan'l,' said Nancy. ~
dun know what's got into Dan'l, to act
so, she thought
The sunlight was beginning to slant one
winter afternoon when Nancy had visitor.
"Why, come right in, Mis- Eldridge!" she
exclaimed to the stout, good-natured wom-
an who had inquired about her at the
prayer meeting; "sit right down. You've
brought your work-that's good"
"Mist Eldrige's gone over to the Cor
ners, so l thought I'd stop in till he comes
back" She looked Nancy over with keen,
but not unsympathetic interest, and decid-
ed that she was better than she had eX-
pected to find her.
I'm glad to have somebody come in an
bring the news" said Nancy, as her caller
folded her sewing after an hours talk II
ask Mist Bell, but he don't always remem-
ber"
"When warm weather comes you'll be
able to get out MORE" said Mrs. Eldridge.
cts proper coldr'
"Well, l don't have to be out in it as
some do" answered Nancy. mist Bell S
so savin' of my steps. He wont so much
as let me draw a bucket of water from the
well. Don't make any Difference what |
want-kindlin' or oven wood, or some
thing from the press-room, there tbs. |
don't ever have to speak of thing twice
roses or bonbons with more concealed
pride than Nancy quoted her husband
attentions. you're fortunate" said Mrs.
Eldridge, little stiflly.
81 do know as | ought to spoken as |
did," thought Nancy, afterward. enlist
Eldridge amt very easy man to get along
with. | hope she didn't feel bad"
"Where's the old backgammon board,
Nancy" was Daniels question, soon after
this visit.
Cup in Johns room, Dan'l."
"You havn't forgotten how to play,
have you?"
"Why, no, l guess not. l guess l could
beat you" This she proceeded to do, great
ly to Daniels delight, only surpassed when
he himself won an occasional victory.
The old couple sat with the board on their
knees, bordering the moves, or fourishing
their dice boxes in each others faces in
excitement when unexpected double skies
made the Throwing OFF, from the ''table''
a close contest. "Isn't there some other
game you can play better'n this?" asked
Daniel, when she had defeated him three
times in succession. There's new game
now; they call it Halma, an it's some
thing like checkers. I'll ask about it, an
! s "a H., -