Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04

bonnets Just alike-sisters So" She look
ed up at him absently. There were little
anxious wrinkles around her eyes.
His full lips remained obstinate. 'Pd
give her a bunnet every year-two on
EN-" he said. 1T isn't the money. It's
the principle-and the apples" he added.
She looked at him sadly. well, put
EN- in the storeroom, Roger" She spoke
with a sigh. She reached out a slow
hand to the basket. Il always feel as II
l was eating 'Manda's heart" she said.
Her teeth sank into the red skin.
He carried the basket away. A few
minutes later he put his head into the
! sitting-room door. I'm going to the
store" he said. ANY errands?"
She looked up with a perpleKed, ques-
| tioning face. She had been thinking about
! Amanda Tobey's bonnet 1t was a brown
velvet, The flowers had originally stood
up straight along the front OF it. 1t was
five years since the last one toppled and
| fell.
ANY errands?" she repeated slowly.
| II don't know" She reused herself
why, yes. You might as well stop at
the minister's, and carry a tumbler Of
! jell, and ask how his wife is"
BE sure to ask IL she's any better to-
! day." she cautioned, as she reappeared
with little basket in her hand. And
| carry 1t careful I've put In some chicken
| broth"
lldll an uuuF lAleI roger 1dlCOIL SAT
in the minister's study, the empty basket
on his knees, his hat on the floor beside
him, and embarrassment on his face.
The minister twirled the paper cutter
| In his fingers, and spoke slowly. 1T Is
really town scandal, Brother Talcott--
a town scandal You've been neighbors
50 long, and the families friends for gem
erations and your wives own sisters"
| He looked up with Il pacific smile.
The face opposite him gave no response.
1T isn't as If Brother Tobey was a rich
man." went on the minister, softly. "They
| don't have-sometimes-I am afraid
they don't have the bare necessities of
| life"
There was silence in the study The
clock licked uncomfortably.
Roger Talcott wlnked fast. you
hadn't ought to let 'em suffer-" he said.
Mo-" The minister waited.
There was a hundred dollars for EN-
last year. said Roger at last.
The minister assented with a nod.
Yes, you gave q hundrsd-and hundred
the year beforehand every year since
I've been here"
The parishioner looked a little ashamed
at the recital OF his good deeds. His
eyes were fixed on the basket. How
much dc they need?" he asked in a low
voice. Il don't want Ethan Tobey to suf-
fer-not while I'm a-livlng."
The minister waited a moment I'm
silence. That's the hard part of it," he
said at last "Ethan's got a suspicion
where the money comes from, and ! can't
get him to touch another cent-not a
cent"
The two men looked at each other.
Roger Talcott drew a deep breath.
Welt" he said.
The minister nodded. He says II II
wasn't for the apple-tree, he wouldn't
mind. He'd as lief take help from you
as not But as long as that tree stands
and as long as you claim the fruit, he'd
rather starve than touch a cent of the
money" The little minister had grown
eloquent
Roger Talcott stared at him, big and
helpless. What am l going to do?" he
asked. Il can't give up the tree. It's
mine. It's matter of principle" His
mouth set itself obstinately. IF he didn't
claim 1t, I'd give 1t to him in q minute
The minister looked at him pltyingly
Shall we make it a matter Of prayer,
Brother Talcott?' he said gently
Roger Talcott looked up rebelliously
After a moment Of silence. he deposited
the basket on the floor and got down on
his knees.
The little minister prayed with earnest
fervor for the removal of this stumbling
block in Zion" He prayed that 1t might
be hewn down-that the lightning might
shatter it-or a blight from heaven de-
Scend on its fruitful boughs.
When he rose from his knees, a light OF
resolution glowed in his face. He held out
his hand with winning smile.
Our prayer shall be answered, Brother
Talcott." he said, firmly. Wait on the
Lord-He shall bring 1t to pass"
But 1t was with unconvinced face and
rebellious shoulders that Roger Talcott
picked up his basket and departed.
The next morning. when Grandma
Tobey peered out of the small-paned win
dow to see whether there had been a frost
in the night, she rubbed her eyes. Then
she lifted n corner of her apron and
rubbed the window-pane. She crossed
the room and sat down by the stove.
'Well!" she said. feebly.
She glanced cautiously toward the bed
room door. Her lips opened. They closed
again and she rose from the chair
Drawing her apron over her head and
holding the ends in her teeth, she opened
the door softly and stepped out.
Halfway down the path to the well she
paused. She looked back to the house
She turned swiftly and hurried back
Ethan she called. Her voice sounded
breathless. There was a note OF awe in
1t.
Ethan"
The bedroom door opened a crack
What do you want?"
You put your clothes on, and come
What for?"
I've got somethin' to show you"
What is It? My Jints are dretful this
mornin. can't hurry"
You'll hurry fast enough when you
see It," she responded. The face
framed in the apron hem wore a scared
important look
There was period OF grunts and shut
fling from the bedroom, and Grandpa
Tobey appeared. hobbling stiffiy. What
is it?" he demanded
You come with me-" she said. She ad-
Vanced to the door. He followed slowly.
In the door he paused, blinking at the
fresh, crisp light. Suddenly he started.
quick sound broke from his lips and he
clutched at the decreasing with falter-
ing fingers. Where is it?" he demanded,
hoarsely.
She had turned back. and stood looking
at him nutteringly. THE Lord knows,
Ethan" she said solemnly.
She hurried toward him. Don't take
1t that way, Ethan" she pleaded. She
bent over him where he sat collapsed on
the door-stone.
He lifted a feeble hand and CROPPED at
his forehead.
Il can't seem to see it," he gasped.
1T amt there" she said, with a grim
smile. You get up and come along with
me and see what's happened"
Slowly he rose to his feet, stumbling
| and blind, and laid his hand on her