Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-24

practice on, should be willing to be
thirty-one instead OF twenty-one. But
there! l made a solemn vow this morn
ing. all to myself, that 1 wouldn't COM
plain any more. What's the matter with
you. Billy"
At her mention Of piano Bnly's eyes
began to show alarming symptoms Of pop
ping from his head and though he was
now doing his best to look unconscious
his efforts were far from convincing.
Billy can't keep a secret" said Mr.
Brant, complacently, 80 l guess you'd
better jump up, Lillian, and get those
presents"
Lillian, primed for her part, sprang up
and Instantly returned from the sitting
room with an armful OF small packages
which she laid around the astonlshed
Rates plate. A new lunch-basket from
Mrs. Brant; a box of colored pencils for
marking examination papers from Billy,
who limited that II she didn't need the red
one, he could use it to advantage in draw
ing Indians; a handkerchief from Lillian
something from each except her father
who sat at the head Of the table looking
not the least guilty over his neglect. The
shrewd Kate saw through him, though.
From all except you, father" she
said, reproachfully, to give him a chance.
well, have got little something for
you, to tell the truth. But you'll have to
wait till after supper. l can't let a meal
like this get cold for any birthday gifts"
Something in his tone caught her at
tention. Billy's eyes, moreover, were not
yet moral, in spite Of the family gifts
having been brought forth. But II a
great hope leaped up in her bosom. 1t sank
again when her mother said, still pre-
serving the great secret:
Henry, you might just as well go and
get it now. These children won't eat a
mouthful until you do"
10 1,nfN -.
Kate longed. How could she suspect any
artifce in those words, coming from her
mother?
Are you sure it's the children, mother.
that can't eat?" asked Brant IT don't
see as you have done much damage to
that piece Of steak on your own plate.
Go ahead now and let my present wait"
Supper over they filed into the sitting
room. Billy and the younger girls crowd
ing their fathers heels in a manner that
again sent Hates hopes up. Mrs. Brant
took time to step hastily into the kitchen
and glance at her dish-water.
Sit down now, all of you, and I'll bring
Kate my present" said Brant, still care
fully adhering to the program OF deception
and surprise. He stepped into the dark
parlor and half closed the door behind
him so that Kate could not see in. Billy
quivered.
Il can't find 1t, mother" called Brant.
a l..
moved 1t. Bring the lamp"
Kate sprung up with a little nervous
laugh and seized the lamp, but her mother
took 1t from her as quickly. She feared
the girl would drop 1t when the crisis
came.
You go ahead" said she to Kate, with
a strange husklness. Her own heart was
pounding almost painfully, and she was
wishing II all over with.
BillV. DagglnR the atV-DOfnt Of Dlaaa-
ure, let out whoop, turned a hand
spring right there In the room, against
all law, upset a chair, and sent the cat
scuttling under the stove. Then he DART
ed into the parlor closely followed by the
hardly less excited Milly and Lillian.
Kate paused at the threshold, halted by
the unexpected warmth from the parlor.
In the dark corner opposite she saw some
thing Notwithstanding tall and loom
ing, with a narrow line Of white across
its front She advanced unsteadily. with
a face as white as marble. Reaching her
father. she blindly seized the hard. knotted
hands which had done the work and made
the beautiful thing possible, and then
sank, limp burden, into his arms.
II guess we overdone II, mother" said
he hastily. Run and get the camphor,
Web"
No, no. don't want it," protested
Kate, encircling his neck. Il just want
to cry"
And cry she did, with her head on his
bosom, while he awkwardly stroked her
dark hair, and her mother nursed her in
glstening, yearning eyes.
"Wots she cryin' for?" whispered Billy,
scornfuly. I'm bet paw wouldn't "a
bought 1t II he'd a-knowed that"
Then Kate slipped from her fathers
arms, suddenly knelt before the startled
Billy swept him to her breast, and rain
ed his little face with kisses. "Oh, Billy,
Billy, what would we do without you'll"
she cried, and laughed wildly, and
smothcred him again with her soft warm
lips, and laughed again, until the I'M
grateful lad had wriggled free and wiped
from his mouth the precious moisture
for which men have thirsted unto death.
She then arose and faced them all. with
hands tightly clasped. She knew now
where the hogs and steers had gone which