The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-08-26

true one, iBdys brother was on u
ocean even then, In few days "a
ship that was bringing him would al
\ rive
Tidy occupied peculiar position 4
the Wilton home. She was not exact
Z iy servant aud certainly not a mem
I bcr OF the family when the childrei
were robbed Of both parents In on'
short year II bad been her presence
like slanch sail. that had born
them through the troubled waters
Another letter came TO Tidy In !
few days. but this one was addressed
10y another hand. and not German
one. IL was written by the supcrln
tendent Of great hospital in New
York. Karl Schneider. Tildy's broth
ar. bad arrived In America very III
The note gave no particulars, but re-
quested that Tidy come TO her broth
er as quickly as possible.
She read the letter IN the linen
closet, where Lottie found her few
moments later sitting on the floor with
her face buried IN her hands The
sight OF her forlorn, motlonless figure
was a shock TO the girl. Tildy's face
when she raised II looked pitifully
strange. The Wiltons had seen II
bright with smiles many times. but
never tear stained. All through that
afternoon, when the girls helped to get
together the few possessions which
Tidy needed for the journey TO her
brother she seemed to their startled
fancy another person. They were all
conscious Of grave respect for her
that they had not known before.
A farmer who lived up the road had
offered to drive Tidy to the station.
All the Wlltons hurried down the
driveway with her and stood beside
the stone wall when she went away.
Not until the farmer. In his high bug
gy. had taken her from view did re-
grets occur TO mar the peace OF those
left behind.
"You might have driven her down
yourself jack" Lottie said reproving.
ly as a cloud of dust faded in the dis.
tance.
"You ought to have kissed her" he
retorted, with a pang of Indignation
Tildy, seated alone and feeling very
sad, noticed that the cars were filed
with good natured people returning
from some excursion. The new scenes
and the flying. unfamiliar landscape
might have made this a red letter day
In her career If her errand had been
a happier one and her heart had been
less anxious. =
Poor Tidy! The world seemed al
very wide one as she hurried on and
the strangers jostled her rudely anM
impeded her way when she timidly
pushed through the great station Put
at last she stood beside karls bed In |
long, window dotted room. Then
the universe seemed bounded by the /,
walls that closed about the slender
lad. She forgot everything else while
she hung over him and held his mana
in tender clasp.
lie spoke but few wosds to her,
for his days were ebblng Iast. At the
close Of week his short soJourn IN
foreign land had nearly ended, and one
evening, still holding his sisters hand
and smiling IN her ace, he started ON
another journey. This time Tildy's
brother found nls way to happier
shore.
Several days passed before Tidy,
stunned and helpless, reused herself to
think Of the familiar routine of duty.
She was too much wearied to summon
thoughts. but at last she did write a
short note to Lottle in which she spoke
II returning to the Witons and touch
ID upon her loss IN quiet, unobtru-
;ive way. II was a labored epistle,
which cost poo- Tidy much effort, and
was written with a lead pencil. But
upon II. and the humble sheet
II paper seemed TO her to hold some
Element that made 1t eloquent.
All the family gathered In the sit
ing room TO hear this letter read.
rhe elder sister delivered II with
that made Tildy's words dou
,ly impressive. A startled trio stared
t her as she rose after II was finished.
Il tell you" she said with sob. ''it's
shame-a perfect shame!"
Jack and the little girls sank back in
heir seats. weakly suTendering before
Ter sweeping assertion. It never oc'
urred 10 them TO question what she
meant Something in her manner made
hem understand. They had felt the
Inwritten pathos of Tildy's note and
t hurt them vaguely, bupthey natu-
ally recolled from Lottie's next words.
"She's been sort Of slave to u.s."
he said quietly. and this idea. hurled
0 suddenly, smote the listeners like a
low. From nearly every corner Of
he room some reminder Of Tildy's
aithfulness twinkled before their eyes
s they stood there breathless.
"See. She doesn't even expect any
from usf' Lottie went on
eIenfessly. And. oh. she II the best
rieId We have! How could WEI How
onld wef'
The only comfort that the silent ones
ould grasp was the fact that their
ccuser held herself included In the
lame. Roses sweet treble voice was
welcome sound after an interval OF
reary quiet
cant we begin 10 be good now, this
linuter the little girl suggested, paus- |
ig anKiously. expectant OF n forbid
ing frown on Lotties brow. But, TO
er great relief, her sister acqniesced
racefulIy. raising no objection at all
, the plan.
They all began TO hustle about the
,om. hardly knowing what they were |
do. but feeling very cheerful nj the /
irn affairs had taken. Jack proceed |
! 10 raise bis spirits IN quite boyish ,
lanner, but be fingered at the door ,
before he left the room.
II say. Lotfie." be venfured. "she !
ec0rated cake for tea aud special !
.f.a..n .-a..s ,saI.4r tsrJEu