Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-04

To the others meaning "Why, what n Blue
Beard you would make me cut, doctor She's
engaged twelve deep, I'll be bound and it wants
an hour of supper time, and | cant get her
away Besides, she's not tired. Why shomd
she go, you know ?"
To this Df Rogers replied that he begged as
favor that Captain G. would take Mrs.
c. home. 1t must be done, and it would
he for the best. And being hard pressed for
his reason, the doctor said Mrs. C. was
about to be ILL., 1t was his duty to ask her hus-
band to take her away from the crowded room.
Captain c. laughed incredulousy at first,
hut it was hollow and forced laugh. 1t was
plain that he did not believe in his own dis
belief, and he knew the good old Melico too
well to suspect him of jesting on such point.
His voice quivered little as he asked an cx-
planation.
"Well if you tcU have it," said DIR. Rogers,
laying his hand on Geordie's arm, "there is
something wrong with your wife. Old Ching
noticed it first and told me of it, and | have
seen such thing but twice before and both
times in China. Pray Heaven that this may
not end as it did in those two instances!"
"Speak out man, you torture me," said Cap
tain c., gasping for breath and very pale.
at is a trhing matter, in appearance, at
least" replied DR.. Rogers gravcly and kindly;
"it is a small black spot on your wite's face-on
her left cheek-that is all, and"
"And what is it For the sake of all that's
sacred, tchat is it?" asked Captain C., quite
fercely
The DOCTOR noticing how quickly the group
was increasing drew his friend few PAGES back,
and whispered something in his ear.
The effect on Georde was terrible. The
brave, strong man trembled visby and shook
from head to foot, while his bronzed face be-
came of an ashen paleness. Then, followed by
ho b,, lX trip fo ,,;t !,
him. he hurried up to the place where his wife
was wheeling in the mazcs of the waltz. He
strobe lccklcssly in among the dancers his
wild haggard looks and brusque gestures caused
some confusion and surprise. His wife saw
him. stared, and with n word to her partner,
stood still. How beautiful she looked flushed
and excited with the dance, crowned with flow
ers, richly yet tastefully dressed how, too, her
fair English bloom contrasted with the pallor
of most OF the other pretty women present
how her softly bright blue eyes rested with
wonder on c. with apprehension for him,
lest he should be i'll. Certainly,i if one of those
two were in mortal danger, any one would have
selected the husband as the one who bore the
marks of it, But C. was careless of that.
All his soul was in his gaze, as he beheld in the
center of his wifes blooming cheek q small
black spot, not much larger than the head of a
large black PIN and quite circular. 1t did not
dsHgure her; only keen eye could distinguish
| it, and when seen, resembed one of those
"beauty patches" which the bellies of the last
century used to give an additional piquancy to
their charms. Yes, there it was, the black
spot the doctor had described. BY great ef-
fort G. smoothed his features and tried to
smile, as he begged pardon of the company.
lie had interrupted them rudely, he said-they
had all left off dancing by this time-and he
| begged they would 90 on and not mind him.
The musicians had ceased playing. lie waved
his hand impatiently-they went on. His wife
approached him, her partner beside her-a ma
val commander who did not feel at all disposed
to forego the rest of his dance with the queen
of the ball. "Was he ll?" she asked in an
anxious whisper. "No, no, he was not i'll, but
he wishe she would come home with him di-
rectly." He would give no reason. His man
ner was irritable, harsh, unusual. The young
wife looked at him in surprise; tears gathered
in her mild blue ewes but she was not without
spirit, and she dashed them proudly away. She
could not leave yet, she said; she was engaged
for several dances. If there was no reason to
be given for leaving so abruptly, she would not
be unciyl to her partners. And in a mo-
ment more the commodore whirled her off.
c. stood and bit his lips. She danced once,
twice, thrice more, C. stood moodily watch
ing her, the doctor at his elbow. 1t was sad,
agonizing to poor G., to watch that glorious
creature and to know that she bo'e on her face
the mark of-what? Even the doctor shrauk
from telling G. all he feared Her momen.
tary burst of hurt womanly pride was over
the sight of her husbands anxious face dis
turbed hers her gaiety fled the compliment,
of her partners were unheard; she begged tC
be excused; left the gentleman on whose arm
she leaned, and came up to C. with a sunny
smile: | will be good now and come home"
rbo q, h rod tn IN in upi
him. G. hurriedy complied. His wife
, recognized the old gentleman who had stared
so pertinaciously at hers his eyes observed he
, still. lie whispered word to the captain
Geordic tried to be calm as he asked his wife
shelf she was aware THAI there was a small
, black spot-a mere speck, on her left cheek
She blushed and laughed. Yes, she saw it il
the glass when dressing She could not rub i
, away. She thought it would go of itself. l
had annoyed her little, because il looked 81
like one Of those absurd patches bat she hopet
e nobody noticed it.
a "Excuse me, madam" said DR.. Rogers 81
c may be Of more consequence than you are awar
= Of ] am an old doctor, and may be allowed Il
# ask questions. Does it give you any pain?'
{, "None-none at all p
d The doctor looked graver still.
t There is looking glass nearly opposite
C Please to look and see ii it has not increased
c size"
/. The lady, half frightened, complied. "Yo'
l. it has, indeed it is almost four times as larg
d as it was-almost as large as pea. How tire
w some?"
c "Onc more question, said the doctor. "lIay
O You any idea what brought il 2"
&c "None," answered Mrs. C.. "Georg,
a love, think l wonld rather 60"
n "Think again." pressed the doctor. "Ila
le any reptile-any inscctP"-