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

INC uOuh hdd girCn them the Tight tran
at the foot Of the mountain.
cess and the wild unknown flowers in Il
great brown bowl by the window. He
noted the hardy vine that clamhercd
over the low doorway, looked about
him at the great mountains shading off
into misty hues, then with revercnt
thought he turned once more toward the
girl.
He had never said much about divine
care i'll connection with himself but it
seemed a thing not difficult to speak Of
i'll connection with her.
"Goodby," he said, touching the
hand she held toward him. "God keep
you. Then as she did not speak he
asked very gently, "You know who
God is?'
"Yes, " she said calmly. 9TH hunt
ers swear about him. He be tn bad
un. -
The shock that came to Wilmot at
this unimpassionod uttcrance was some
thing that he tried afterward to define
to himself 1t was like whirl that sets
one dizzy and dumb. He gave search
ing look into the innocent face turned
with peaceful expression toward the
far mountain. The words were blaSphe-
my, but if blasphemy must be in the
heart before II can pass the lips then
whatever she might say would be more
nearly like worship. She was not learn
ed. He knew that she could not even
read that axiom Of Prudhon, Evil is
God, if it We're placed before her. He
was appalled, by the unconscious igno-
rance. At the same time her innocent
trust in the nature about her enchanted
him.
"Goodby," she said at last, thinking
that he waited for the word Of parting.
'Thar bcant nuthin that'll come from
any these t hurt yo'." She gave "A little
wave of her hand. "Yo' be safe an tn
day'll be still till yo' git t your place. ="
He turned and led his horse rapidly
down the mountain side 4 sudden
shadow had fallen over everything.
In the name Of the plying God !"
he exclaimed after long trlmping.
The more he thought the deeper he
felt that it was cruel to leave her in
such wild place and in such ignorance.
What did the future hold for her? He
took off his hat and brushed back his
heavy hair. y sense of oppression stifled
him. He was ready to hate the day
when he had been induced to come with
an old friend to his western ranch and
the hour when he went out with Cray
mer for swift canter over the great
spaces.
Yet this had not changed the matter.
His coming did not call forth the hut
nor the living souls within it, 1t was
unreasonable that he should care so
much. Still he strobe along rebellious
at fate that could bring such fortune
to the fair girl he had left, looking
fOndly at the clouds and the mountains
and predicting no harm for him.
The grandmother would not be paid
''fur keepin on 'em," and when the
youth had given them the right trail at
the foot of the mountain Wilmot slip
ped a goldpiece into his hand.
81 don't know what you'll do with
it, I'm sure. But you can at least keep
it to remember us by. l haven't any
thing else with me that will do for a
gift. l wish you would take it that
way"
'Bleeged!" said the sturdy young
fellow, His face expanded into a broad
grin as he Went up the hill, tossing the
shining gold piece and catching it again
as he went out of sight The two men
mounted their horses and rode silently
on in the direction that had been point
ed out to them.