The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-01-01

like mill-hOpper, and her clear laugh
ter FLASHING like water over weir.
But there came day-a day that shall
not soon be forgotten-on Lochrysn-
side, and up to the hilltop where sits the
lonely house of the Marchbanks. A
runaway horse, frantic with the clatter
of the broken shafts behind him and
the thresh of trailing harness, tore
round corner upon the children as
they played together. Miriam sprang
to draw little Rob out of danger. But
hoof struck her even as she clutched
him. And 80 they brought the young
child home and gave her to her mother.
1t was by the window that looked
upon the western sea that they laid her
down, and she lay there little time
silent and very white. But by and by
there came the morning and the dawn.
For it was June, and the daysprings
are early then.
"Look, mother" said Miriam,
"look out at the nursery window for
me, and see if there is any star on the
hill tonight"
"No, no, Miriam" whispered her
mother; "hush thee, dearest, and rest,
for the stars are long ago gone to bed"
But 60 and look, mother" said the
child.
And her mother, willing to pleasure
her in all, went. And 10, as she looked,
she was aware of a tall figure, like a
gray shadow, that stood under the tree
by the gate, and looked steadfastly
towards the house.
1t was her father, and Allies heart
stood still.
She went back.
well, mother, did you see the starr"
Childie," she said, bending over
the cot, "there are no stars. 1t is COM
ing bright day."
"And did you see nothing, mother?"
persisted Miriam.
:" saw man standing by the gate"
Mother" said the little one, lift
me up in bed little wee Bit"
Propped on pillows, she looked out
over the sea. A light sprang to her
face as she gazed. Mother" she said,
in hushed, eager voice, "why did you
never show me the purple mountains
over the sea before? Was l never
awake at this time before? See, they
are over yonderl The sun is shining
so bright upon them. Look, look
quickly, mother dearl
And cry sprang from the mothers
heart as she looked, for there were no
hills for many thousand miles across
the wide western sea.
"There are no mountains there, my
lamb" she said; &" only the sea as it has
always been. Lie down now and sleep,
dear one"
But, mother" said Miriam, {" l see
them; see them 80 plainly. 1t is a
fine morning there, and all the children
will be going out to play and gather the
flowers. Let me get up, too, mother,
and go out with the others to pick the
flowers on the purple mountains"
And her mother hid her face very
deep in the pillow.
There stole little hand to her head.
"That was grandfather's step on the
gravel by the gate," she said. go out
and fetch him in. Say little Miriam
wants him. Perhaps he will see the
purple mOuntains"
And without word her mother went.
Aud without word the old man came
in. Father and daughter stood at OPP
posite sides of the bed.
Look, grandfather" said Miriam
"Isn't it funnyl Mother says she can
not see the purple mountains over the
sea there. And l see them so plain
Why, can see the sun on their tops
and the little dimply valleys where the
children play, and the woods. Oh,
can almost hear the birds sing! There
are no sick children or sad folk any
where. Look over the sea, grand
father, and tell me if you can see thu
purple hills with the sun shining or
them. You will tell me true, won
you, grandfather"
Aud she took the old mans hand
He stopped gravely over the bed, anC
his eyes followed along the direction o
her finger.
81 see them," he said. 81 see then
plainly, little Miriam"
She clapped her hands and crie'
aloud: 81 knew you would, grand
father. Now, mother, you see"
Miriam reached up hand to eithe
side of the bed.
Mother" she said, " it is growing
little dark again. cannot find you
hand-give it to me into mine" Sh
had taken the old mans hand already
Grandfather" she said, tax
mother to the window and let her Sc
the purple mountains. She cannot Sc
them by herself -
And father and daughter Withdrew
to the window, and clasped each othe
for the first time in ten years.
But when they turned, little Miriam
had gone out TO play with the othe
children upon the purple mountain
far beyond the sea, whereon the SUI
shine lies for ever and ever.-S. r
Crockett, in Outlook.