Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-13

these and the other visitors who came
at long intervals to sit at their table.
There was something new and strange
in the look and manner of these men.
Their words were unlike any they had
heard, yet she understood the meaning.
1t was like new music to one who loves
music, or like rare beauty to the eye of
an artist She kept the echo of it in her
heart and thought Of it late into the
night.
The meal was nearly over when she
came AMI stood beside Wilmot once
more. I'VE ha mt got $ much 5 we'd
orter hev fur yo', she said in her clear
voice that sounded as if some wild bird
had taken to speaking words.
we were two very hungry men, ;"
was the reply. "Nothing could be moro
/ delicious than this rich milk and the
mush and the bread and butter.
"Thank yo', kindly, " said the young
hostess. She turned away without look
ing at him this time.
The child began petulant whimper.
She took it in her arms and Soothed it
! to sleep. Then she carried it to door
at the end Of the room. Wilmot started
to open the door for her, but. noting the
look ON his companions face, leaned
back again in his chair, The next mo-
ment he mentally kicked himself for a
coward
While she was gone the grandmother
cleared away the things and began
slow, unaccented monOlogue. The
grandfather had gone to the settlement
to do some trading and would not be
back for another day. The youth and
the child had lost their mother three
years back but their father had gone
below-the usual manner in which Ore
gonians refer to San Francisco-and
was doing fair. He wrote to them once
a year and sent box of things
Laurel didn't belong to them. Her
father died crossing the plains. The
mother was most dead, so the train left
her, with the baby and the wagon and
other belongings, at the hut.
but Laurel be growed inter COM
fort t. me, added the grandmother,
can tn young uns take { her mighty.
We couldn't git long nohow 'thout
Laurel"
ut doesn't seem safe for you, said
Wilmot, so live here so far from any
one else"
"Hugh Yes, " answered the old voice.
at be perfectly safe. We don't see no
one fur moons t'gether. N thur beant
no more trouble with Injins here bouts.
Onct in awhile one comes long, but we
don't mind 'em. TIL gran ther hid tn
hut way up here out O. sight when him
! N me wus young folks N nobody
much don't know't we be here. The
farm be tn leetle good spot o. groun
jest out thar in tn desert He lOtted
out t. build big house down thar, but
pears like we dunno how t. tear our
sells way from tn old place. | s'pOse
some folks I'D think it be lonesomelike
livin so by oursel's. But thar's tn
beasts, They be heap o. comp'ny."
The two men looked at each other.
The wind moaned out cry of terror,
and the pleasant cracking of the fir
wood i'll the hugo fireplace turned to a
CHASTITY sound. The young girl came
into the room while the grandmother
was speaking and paused just where
the Pickering light touched her slight
figure.
"Some days" she said, with a little
culver in her voice" some DAYS I'm
feared when thar beant no need to fear,
n some days, agin when thar be-
seems like tn fear do all GO l shook at
ev'ry noise l heor'n all day II might
l couldn open my mouth when | seen
you, been that feared. ="
1t was an eerie figure, young, slight
and fair, standing III the wavering light
nd IL,
that tender, thrilling tone. Craymer
shivered and drew near to the fire.
Don't be afraid tonight" said Will
mot 1--WE don't pretend to great BRAY
cry, but We'll DO our best to take care
of you and the grandmother and the
Ehild"
She did not answer, though she stood
with hands locked before her until he
had finished. She went to the youth, a
sturdy fellow, who had fallen asleep
on the skin covered lounge and aroused
him gently. Then she drew aside some
curtains of skins and displayed a recess
containing bed and tiny washstand
'This be yor place" she said to the
strangers. ut be all clean ag'in tn
compny's comm. -
Iutu she STA long wooden bar
through iron loops to fasten the outer
door, wound the clock and with swift
silence set the chairs at rights Mean
while the grandmother covered the en-
bers with ashes, When all was done,
they each said "Good night t. yo'"
and disappeared
The two men sat before the ash COW
cred embers until the candle burned
low, Then they arose silently and pre-
pared for bed.
"It's the eeriest place l was ever in, 4"
said Craymer, "I wish the wind would
stop its wretched groans We are in a
witch care, and we shall be boiled in a
caldron at midnight by spirit with
sunny eyes and serious lips. "
cts an atmosphere of innocence and
trust" said Wilmot. "And we are
nearer heaven than we may ever climb
again"
CHAPTER H.
The morning meal was over, and the
Travellers rpodv tO mount tbpir borcac