Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-03-02
EVER SINCE.

the table and burst into tears.
Il knew it was of no use TO write"
said her brother Harry. handsome
young man, about 20, who had been sit
ting rather moodily before the fire. "lIe
says he has something better to do with
his money than send you to school. |
have an idea, Katie. Give me my hat
there, don't question me. III only be-
gone an hour or so. Cheer up till l
come back"
at is Just too badr mentally exclaim-
ed Harry as he plunged out into the
darkness and rain. II think uncle might
have given her something but it is just
like him. 1t is so hard to be forever
struggling with poverty. If it were not
for Katie, I'd rather be dead. Poor little
sister, She is so reasonable in her wants
ii is such shame to deny her this. But
III ask Mr.. Grayson TO let me sweep out
the store aud do the work of a boy. |
can have it all done 10y the time the other
clerks come and hc able to attend to my
own duties. Katie need never know it,
and it will bring enough to enable her to
go TO school"
Ringing the bell. lie was soon ushcrcd
! into Mr. GraySons parlor where he
found not Mr.. Grayson, but Miss Bruce.
Her uncle was not in just then, but
! would he not watt
Now Harry had heard of this Miss
Bruce bcforc-hcard of her as an hciress,
| naughty and proud. and he sat down to
! await Mr.. Grayson. feeling very uncom-
! Portable But to his SURPRISE she talk
ed to him, aud at his request played and
sang for him, and before the evening was
ovcr-Nr. Gray failing to come-hc
never could tell how it was, hut he had
| told her all his troubles and been sym
| pathizcd with 50 swcctly that he found
himself wondering was there ever auoth-
er such woman.
But this evening, like all others, had an
! ending, and when he arose to 90 Miss
Bruce held out her hand aud said;
II must say goodby, for tomorrow
return home | shall not forget you or
your troubles | do rot see how | can
comfort you. Hut be brave, and | know
your life will yet be a success
The world seemed darker than ever TO
Harry rs ne again went ont into the
night and rain-darkcr because he had
found what life might be il he dared to
WOO and win such woman as Miss
Bruce.
Katie locked mp anviously as her broth
or returned. bat. noting his sad face. she
asked no questions. but sat doyu beside
him. put her arm about his neck and
rested her head on his shoulder 1t was
a way she had Of comforting him when
he was sad.
The next day. as Harry and Katie
were taking their frugal lunch the land
lady came up to their front door and left
lcttrr. He opened it, and, 10 his sur
prise, there dropped out "A crisp 800 bill
\ hot flush mounted To his check. and
for a moment he was exceedingly angry
that any one should make him an object
Of charity 1T must be from Miss
Bruce" he thought.
"Wrll. Katie" he said. passing over
the bill, you can go to school now. for
some one has been kind enough To send
us the money without any name and has
prevented us from finding a way TO re
turn it,"
She gave a great cry of pleasure. but
looked surprised when Harry came
around, gave her a quiet kiss ana hasten
ed out of the room. She did not know
that ne went out to hide the great love
that was surging in his heart until it be
traycd itself in his face, for this behuti-
full. blue eyed woman whom he felt must
surely be the donor.
Katie went to school and prepared her
self for a teacher. The $50 became the
foundation Of much good, for by and by,
with Katics help, a tiny little cottage
was rented outside the city and fitted M
into a coy little home
Then Harry was promoted, and he
showed such admirable tact for business
that after four years he became junior
partner. Then his success was steady
and upward.
Katie married but Harry remained q
bachelor. with the memory of a sweet
fair haired, blue eyed woman enshrnct
in his heart. He could never marry while
the memory of her remained.
One evening while sauntcring up anC
down the beach of little seaside town
where he had run for a few days vaca
ton. he met lady talking to a small
child His heart beat wildly. 1t was thu
one he worshipcd above all others.
Miss Bruce?" he said
mo" she said with a smile, extending
her hand; Mrs. Lambert. | have beer
widow two years This is my littl'
boy" And she turned the little curl.
headed child about.
81 did not know you were married" h
stammcrcd.
Il married two weeks after | left m.
! unclc's."
THANK heaven, she is free!" he sal,
to himself drawing sigh of relief.
He found her just as frank and win
ming as she had been on that eventfu
evening so long ago. Day after day h
fingered at her side. Did she love him
Sometimes he thought she did. At las
he could endure his love no longer, an
one evening by the sea, under the pal
moon, he told her all-told how tn
money had come in an hour of need an
helped his little sister and how her con
forting words had cheered him o
through all the years
81 think | loved you ever since then,
he said. "Now | know you will think
!. am selfish man, for | freely confess
am not content with my first present, bu
want the donor for another. May hav
herY
We do not know whether she answere
yes or no, but we are quite certain W
have heard Harry Walker say he like
n his last present best.-New York News.
' All Right hut the Names.
Of A salesman in a local chinaware estal
rs lishment is responsible for the following