Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-29

ciful heavenl Helen, look at him He is
illw
at is nothing gasped. "Only
| cannot-cannot marry YOU p
40, heavenW cried Alice, in horrible dis
may and seeing she was about TO fall l flung
my arm around her for support.
AT this moment, the hall door was opened
and turning at the sound, l saw, with my own
eyes, my second self enter the room My ex-
act counterpart. Richard Smith, number two.
His fierce eyes took in the scene at one
sweeping glance. He rushed towards me with
wild ejaculation, and, tearing the hat-faint-
Alice from my arms, he planted his firm grasp
on my throat. | put my hand on the same To-
cality of his body.
"What are you doing ?" he Numbered in my
ear
"Whot are you doing P" l Numbered, in re-
Spouse.
"Your life shall pay the forfeit" he exclaimed,
with mad violence. "1he man who has dared
to win Alice Hereford's love shall die !"
Gentlemen" interrupted the sweet voce of
her whom he had called Helen, abe patient;
there is some mistake. Which of you is nam
ed Richard Smith ?"
81 am" replied l.
81 am" replied my counterpart.
"But which of you is Richard Smith-the
son of Archibald SmithP'
81 am" said my second self.
"And l am not" said 1 "my father was
named Robert"
Helen looked at me moment, half i'll doubt.
evidently, how to trea. me after what had oc-
cnrred. Finally she held out her hand:
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Smith," it was all a
careless mistake of my own. Can you forgive
me P"
thought of the kisses she had given me-
and wished the same mistake might be made
over again, though l was wise enough not &c
make known my wish.
"Let me eNplain," she continued frankly
"We we're expecting my brother Richard home
from the south, where he mas been for some
four or five mouths past, and were quite sure
that he would arrive on the train which brought
you. He had been some years engaged to Miss
Hereford, and the marriage ceremony was tc
take place Immediately on his arrival. | wen
down to the depot to welcome him, and because
of the striking similitude in your personal ap
pearance, l mistook stranger for my brother
That is all. Brother Richard, Mr.. Smitf
is entirely blameless of any wrong. W.
gave him no time for explanation. lie
me present you to each other as friends.
My counterpart shook hands with me, ant
begged my pardon for dislocating my neck tie
l granted it, and begged his pardon for com
| nltIlDR me depreciation OH HIS neck-tie
And then a sign from the elderly gentleman
we all walked into the drawing room, where, il
brief space of time, my counterpart was mad
the husband of the blushing Alice
The acquaintance so singularly begun witt
the Smith family, soon ripened into friendship
and become one of the most precious of life
blessings to M.
Helen Smith had kissed me- and she coul
not forget it. If man can get woman t
think of hint hardly matters in what way
he has claim on her it was so in my case
l believe that never met Helen but she blush
ed at the memory which stole over her.
Three months after our first meeting, sh
kissed me again, and called me 'Dear Rich
ard" And this time she was well aware tha
she was not addressing her brother.
Is it fortunate, or an unfortunate thing, t
have counterpart When | think of tn
boarding house keeper, l say mo" but whe
: look at Helen, and recall the circumstance
of our introduction, am accustomed to sa.
eyes"