Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-07-06
THE GATE BEAUTIFUL

teachers, 'ltuEn tine INV
farmer, nurse, cook, what not entered
his wfe's room with tray in his nand.
He had done this every morning for three
years.
breakfast my lady?"
A pale face turned from the ample
white draped bed in the corner. Yes, my
lord. oh. how tempting Hugnl she said
as she glanced over the neat tray and
savory dishes. You're so good to me-!
He lifted her tenderly and propped her
shoulders with several pillows. why
shouldn't / be good?" and he kissed her
softly on the cheek. mot every knight
has so fair a lady to serve" He smoothed
the bed-clothes carefully, and drew the
rose-c olored nightingale closer around her
pale throat But when he Strengthened
his tall body and looked away from her
instantly. as II a shadow had fallen upon
him, lines Of care appeared in his down
dropping features, and his breath was
silently long-dTawn.
But his voice was still full Of cheer.
"IIo there bearers of the napkin and the
cup!" he called and one knew at once
that he spoke to children.
In moment they appeared girl hard
ly out of babyhood, with a napkin pressed
in her hands as carefully as if 1t was some
priceless chalice. and a boy two or three
years older proudly carrying cup OF
steaming coffee.
Sec. Mama Althea, carry It in one
hand. and it's full too!''
"Mama's dear little mani" she said
/ fondly. taking the coffee from him. Have
/ you all had breakfast"
yes. mama" both answered.
And did you have brolled steak and
| strawberries, too?''
1--WE had"
"Skitter out Of nere." interrupted the
| father. Knight Of the kitchen, the dish
towel waits"
The two ran out laughing and obedlent
But the mother turned to the window
| Some swift determination settled In her
! face, yet her eyes were hopeless. "Oh,
l won't let them do it! won't have bet
ter things than they have!' she whispered
! vehementy to herself.
! Hugh hustled about, setting to rights
the meagerly furnished room. Madam
Althea, why don't you eat? Doesn't the
feast please you? The cook has done his
best"
She smiled at him; but it was not a
frank response to his CHEEKY words. She
knew that under nis merry manner his
heart was heavy with care; still he could
work, work for them ALL and she could
do nothing Yet she must play her part
too: so she smiled. And the cooks best
is very good; I'll try to live up-that is,
eat up-to his effort"
There was silence for a little time. She
ate with the slow appetite of the inavlid.
Il must try hard this last morning" she
murmured to herself as she languidly
picked at steak and slipped the coffee
''we had frost last night didn't we?
she asked.
ooh, tribe; nothing to hurt us,
guess"
Althea was not deceievd by the light
words. She knew that two degrees OF cold
more or less meant distress or comfort
for the next year
Another clean jacket and apron?' she
said presently. You extravagant boy!'
He went to the bed and moved the tray
to nearby chair He pulled and smoothet
the bed-clothes with quick strong motion.
that were not ungentie yet they betrayed
the ma sculine overexpediture of vigo
upon small matters. Perhaps the brisl
movements covered emotion that he wish
ed to conceal; for he leaned over her an'
silen y. tenderiy stroked her hair; and /
was sometime before he spoke; but whel
words came they were gay at first; ant
I not less so at the last, only more earnest
''You know I'm a lightning change artist,
stable boy one minute. chef the next, AM
!, after that attendant upon my lady Of tn
: chamber How could ! do It withou
: | proper costumes? I really need a whit
cap. and-and I won't economic by wa,
{ OF the laundry bill. mean to be Away
d., and entirely white in your presence"
She smiled at him with brimming eyes
He could not return the look, but turne
a quickly and caught up wide white clot
: | and threw II over the spread-coverin
= the upper half OF the bed. What thing
will you have today?'
1.-THE lace-work and tatting-oh, all {
= them, guess. / never know in the morn
), ing what l shall do best during the day.
He crossed the room, and took from tn
y ureau-drawer a curious array: a box {
= spools a finished piece of lace still fasten
: : ed to the rafting tracing-paper. the news
paper of the day before, drawing boar
;, and pencils. a Bible, pen-knife, scissor
: rule. pincushion. and dozen other article
a Of feminine use.
please give me Baby LOUIS apron: /
finish that today. / hope"
He brought It, rs that ALP
. Yes. I thing so. except that I wis
= you'd move the bureau over by my bet
% side. so that can get things as nee
"a them. and not give you so much"
, And have YOU straining yourself"
:, interrupted. mo. madam; see throug
e your dark design; you wish to deprive II
~ OF the pleasure of serving you"
~ please do it," she pleaded. IF I
~ promise not to Nput anything away, won
"a you move IL? Try it for today. thir
the room would look better; and I cou
have my glass OF water there. Little TX
10 so often spills 1t when she brings 1t
~ me-"
a He could not understand her perslstenc
"A but humored 1t. Anything to please 20
4 Wen try 1t today. and see II you ke'
a your promise" He rolled the burea
across the room and against the be
Does that satisfy you. Madam Unreasol
ableness?"
THANK you, dear"
He made an extravagant bow, al
Up leaned over to say good-by before he we
to his work.
Of She drew his head down close, pressii
kiss after kiss upon his cheek and liz
la "Oh, sweetheart how can you always
n so good. so patient, with me? Good-h
-Good-by my dear husband. my deare
m -dearestl"
err ''Why. I'll be back at noon," he sal
wondering at the passionate words.
M "Oh. yes; but noon is so far on" s.
st took his face in both slim, white han
and looked deep into his eyes. God BILE
youi" she said, and turned her head
70 hide her emotion.
- You're running under too high pres
ure, little woman. Better slow up a b
as You know we can't put into port for daI
b. ages just now" He waved his hand in