Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-29
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| returned the bill to her.

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l returned the bill to her.
81 owe you nothing madam. l never saw
you before in my life.
"You needn't lie to me! !" cried she, setting
he arms a-kimbo. 81 hain't kept genteel
boarding house fifteen years for nothing, sir
You'll either fork over on the spot, or I'll take
the law"
"rake it," remarked 1: "Youre welcome to
it."
"You wish to sarse me, young man. Re-
member what you promised. I'll have you took
up for it, as sure as my names Diggins I'll
larn you better than to deceive trusting wild
der woman in that way, you desateful hypo
critic p'
MADAM, you insult me. 1"
"Oh, it looks well for such as you to stand
on your dignity. Mighty lofty all at once.
You've forgot the cream flapacks l used to
make, and the kisses you used to give me every
evening after the rest of 'em was gone TO bed.
You've forgot the half dozen shirts l made you
and never charged you cent. You've forgot
that you solemnly promised that you'd marry
me last Tuesday morning. You've forgot that.
have youP"
Yes-yes-I-never-no !" stammered
dropping Miss Lilies arm in CONSERVATION.
"Do you dare to deny ?" cried she in a
rage.
out. ado you think | would marry an old
termagant like youp I'd sooner wed my grand
mother"
/ saw the fire flash up in her eyes. The
widow was waxing dangerous. l lodged the
reticule she aimed at my head, and fell over
backward as she charged upon me with her
half mourning parasol Miss Lille turned and
fled. l thought discretion the better part of a
valor so | leaped over garden fence near at
hand, and was Immediately attacked by large
watchdog that sprung out of akennel near by.
l seized daha pole, and hurting at the bel
lgerent, made good my escape by fording a
duck pond and reaching the next street, from
which hurried home at the best pace l could
command.
was resolved that ! would not remain in
Weston a day longer. Evidently there was in
the city some other Richard Smith, for whose
notorious self l was mistaken.
penned hasty note to my employers
giving my reasons for leaving them-packet
my trunks, paid my board, and marking my
baggage "R'D SMITH, New HAMPTON" l en-
tered the cars for the locality specified on
my trunks.
In selecting New Hampton as my destina
ton, had no very definite purpose in view
but in place of its size had no doubts of he
ing able to secure some lucrative situation anC
the office Of Boots" was better, if l could b.
left unmolested, than the station of the presi
dent, if / must lose my identity, and be attack
ed by viragos in the street.
1t was near noon of the next day when tn
train whirled up to the depot at New Hampton
allighted, and Fastening down the platform t.
look after my baggage, when | saw a youni
lady, in brown silk walking dress, earnestl
regarding me. As she caught my eye, sh
threw up her veil and sprung toward me. A
the veil swept back it revealed the ovelies
face | had ever looked npon. l had neve
dreamed of anything half so beautiful In in
voluntary admiration l stood still. She tire,
herself into my arms-her arms fell around m
neck-her velvet cheek touched mine-an
such kiss as she planted full on my lips M
face was in blaze. felt as if l had BEEF
stewed in honey, with lavender for flavor.
She repeated the kiss-the muniscient ittl
angel !-eXclaimlng:-
"Dear, dear II chard How delighted l al
that you have come at last %
was dumb. My mouth was sealed up wit
the sweetness of her kisses. dared not spea
lest l should dissolve the spell.
ave have been expecting you for four who
days. Only think what period of suspense
went on the soft voice of the lady, as claspin
my hand, she drew me INTERESTINGLY to ph9to
in waiting. "There make yourself easy, II
going to drive. Isn't it pleasant to be waite
The arch brown eyes sought mine, as, drawn
up the fur-lined robes, my companion shook II
reins over the white horses, and we wei
whrled rapidly away.
"Papa is so anxious to see you once NOR
Richards but his rheumatism is worse to da
and he could not drive down. William is al
sent on an errand for the bride. But | woul
come. wanted so much to be the first one
greet you, dear Richard. Alice is so beaut
full and so deeply, beautifully happy Ricl
ard you ought to be the most grateful ma
alivew
"I-I-belieye am !" exclaimed |, as reacl
ing up her sweet face, the little enchantress Fl
yored me with another kiss, which this time,
repaid with compound interest, and then blus
ed boiling hot to think of.
AT this moment the pheton stopped at Il
door OF fine old mansion, on an arstocrat
street; and, mechanically, | alighted, and LITE
out my companion.
The hall door was flung open. The caspir
hands OF the young lady drew me within Il
vestibule; her musical voice called softly at Il
door of O bOudOir
"Alice, Richard has comet"
Instantly the door flew open, and n darl
haired, beautiful woman came forth. She gaz,
at me an instant with unutterable tenderne,
and hen embraced me, with mingling of fery
and shyness absolutely bewildering.
Verify, was favored individual.
An elderly gentleman, supporting himself
cane, now came forward and saluted me,
"dear son." cutting short everything attem
ted to say by his joyful voubiity.
The folding-doors separating the Sitting-roC
and parors, were thrown apart. heard I
subdued hum of voices the rustling of hea
silks, waiting in the allowed arch in an ct
window, saw clergyman in gown and ban'
The elderly gentleman took the hand of t
dark haired Alice, and placed it in in mine.
"Take her." he said, with emotion ga
may God prosper you. We will have the m'
important thing first, and dinner afterwal
The guests are already getting impatient.
glanced at Alice's dress 1t was brio
white; and her beautiful hair was crowned wi
wreath of orange blossnms.
The sight gave me a tremor. ! felt we
and faint. My pallor must have alarmed
ice, for she cutched my arm wildly, and gaz
into my face with painful anxiety.
"What is it, Richard Are you i'll P Nj