Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-01-05

| prepare for their visit, and saw them drive
away with, 1t must be confessed feeling
Of relief, somewhat difficult, perhaps, TO an
ayze.
Instead, however, OF setting about the
various little tasks, which, TO beguile her
Loneliness, Mrs Middleton had suggested,
Sophy sal down by the window, aud was
soon lost in deep thought. What was the
subject Of her mediiations, think could
not tell, even if | could, because do not
choose TO belray all the weakness of my
sex but ! am sure her eyes were wet, and
her face very sorrowful. when who should
come troitng 10 the door but Archie Har-
ris himself, the very last person in the
world one might expect OH election .day
when everybody, young or old, was or
ought TO have been, busy at BrookyIle polls
Be this as il may, however, here, as | said,
came Archie, who threw the bride of his
pretty bay pony over the gate.post.
81 met your folks. Just now, going to
the village, aud hearing you were at home,
called to see you"
Sophy received him with mixture Of
reserve and cordially quite unmstakeabe,
and blended shower Of tears, smiles, and
| bushes, which Archie interpreted favora-
bly,, suppose, for he said
Then you are glad to see an old friend
once more. Sophy."
Certainly am, and it is a long time
since you were here"
Long let me see-six weeks, guess.
Yon do Mt call that great while, do you 7"
ooh, yes. do" replied Sophy. blushing.
1--WE are so 'onely now that we have learn.
ed to think much OF our friends"
Have youl" said Archie, regarding her
with look half pleased, half sorrowful, as
| if some painful recollection at that moment
crossed his mind that is enough to make
some Of us almost glad tina, you have left
Brookville."
oh never say you we're glad Of THAR
cried Sophy, earnestly, "when it made inc
so unhappy"
mot glad on some accounts, certainly"
said Archie, mot that you should have
met with misfortune, but only because you
think more Of old friends here than there"
True real friends are the same every
where" said Sophy, not exactly knowing
what TO say.
"Somelmes-not always" replied Arch
lie, significantly "But if friends bring bad
news, are they less welcomed I"
81 do nj believe you have any bad news
TO tell me this afternoon" said Sophy.-
"You look very well pleased"
"Oh il is not disagreeablc news TO me,
but perhaps it may be to you." said Archie,
smiling.
"Ld me hear it, them" said Sophy, cor
may he ! can guess it. Mr. Wilson has
sold the old place"
Eyes. the old place has changed hands
again, and think for the better; but that
is not the news mean"
do tell me, them" said Sophy, impa-
tiently, "ior cannot guess"
perhaps" said Archie, suddenly be-
coming grave, "il may make you sorry
and if so, had rather not be the one 10
tell 1t; but-Philip Greyson is married"
els that all :" asked Sophy, blushing TO
the very ewes at the mention Of Philips
name, 81 thought your news was bad"
"And do nj you really care about ii %
said Archie. Let me look in your eyes,
Sophy, and see if you are in earnesl-ii
you really do not care"
"No. indeed, | do not" said Sophy
looking in Arches face with a smile which
spoke entire truth. 81 should not have
) cared if he had married all the girls in
Brookville."
/, "You thought differently once" said
: Archie, "and | am not sure, Sophy, that
you will care 10 hear an old story Of true
: love over again, after the last talk we had
on the subject"
, ooh, Archie will you never forget that
foolish business" exclaimed Sophy, burst
ing into tears.
People forgive easier than they forget
sometimes" said Archie land can't fol
, my life, forget any thing that concerns you
] may be mistaken. but think that, afiel
: Philip Greyson. you care more for me thar
= any one else; and now that he is mar.
4 ried-"
: Sophy answered with glance, which
] told whole story Of peni,encc, and I
l. world Of reproach.
e "And il you think | could make yor
= happy, as / would Try to do, dear Sophy.
o he continued, "why then, perhaps, yor
won't object TO 60 back to BrookEille. anC
}, live with me at the old place. and take
grandfather and grandmother with you
e hey, Sophy?"
!, Poor Sophy was crying so heartily, from
u mingled feeling of joy and sorrow, that sh'
could not answer, and so Archie proceeded
nave uteH very loItuhaie thle last year
II suppose, because had nothing TO draw
II inc of from business, aud have been ab
n to buy the place from Mr. Wilson. / vii
o put it in good order again, and we shall b
y so happy thsre-shan't we, Sophy, darling
u But you don't speak"
re "Because am so happy that have NJ
" words to tell it," replied Sophy, smilin
a through her tears. "Bul will you real
e forgive all my foolishness and vanity, dea
y Archie And shall we really 60 back 4
Brookyie; 10 the 'old place'-and will
= you. tool Oh it seems like blesse
ID dream"
g "a dream that will last. | hope" sal
% Archie, land pay us for all the sorrow W
is have had The past year-for you have n
I, been sad alone. Sophy. have ,houhgt {
you, and loved you Just the same an
RS longed to tell you So often and often, onl
rr | thought il you did like Phil Greyso
best"
o. "Please do nj name him again." sal
m Sophy. And Archie, nothing 10th 10 di
"a card n diaauraaahla tnntc nromiaad.-I hl