Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-12-03

mic and Mary were agreeable, for her own
part she saw no objection.
This was the way, you see, in which the
old folks took Edgar's conversion. That
long talk with Annie had apparently quite
changed her cousins views on the subject,
and the young fellow had ever since been
most dutiful in his attentions to the elder
sister. The friends of both denounced Ed
| gar's conduct rs heartlcss; and Mary's la
| dy acquaintances declared with toss of
the head, that "Mary was but poor spirit
ed thing to take it so easily; though of
course, if the girls and the old people were
satisfied, IL was no business of theirs"
1t was certainly little strange that Ma
ry did not seem at all put about by her
| quondam lovers faithlessness; and the sis
tiers seemed, if possible, greater friends
than ever. Such consultations and appar-
emily unwarranted laughing at odd times,
such private signaings and whisperings
and accidental interviews in secret places
as these young girls had, were wonderful.
Edgar seemed also TO flourish on his apos-
tacy, and to all appearance, had succeeded
efIcctually in getting rid of his 'old love
! before he was on with the new" Although
constantly walking out with The sisters, he
always paid more attention to the elder.
On one occasion, the three had delayed
coming home rather long, and Mr. Leslie,
growing impatient for dinner, went out in
to the ground to look for them.
While walking down the avenue, he
heard the sound of voices, and through the
leaves could see one of his daughters-ho
could not tell which-approaching slowly.
The two were engaged in earnest conversa-
ton. Edgar's head was bent as he smiled
on the fair face that looked so well, as a
gleam of sunshine, slanting through the
alder overhead, shed a glorious ray upon
the rich blush and modest droop of the
long silken eyelashes.
Too deeply engaged to notice the old gem
tleman's approach, they continued their
conversation, which, to judge by their mu-
tual bushes and smiles, must have been
unusually tender, until they almost STUN
blod against the too treacherous papa. Mr..
Leslie recognizing Mary stood still for a
second irresolute, abashed by the Grim
soned confusion and the manifest start with
which the young couple greeted his appear
ance.
Mary exclaimed her iather'
es' Mary she said with loss OF the
head. "How fortunate that we met you!
we were Just talking over the marriage
Mr.. Leslie's face cleared up but frowned
again, as he asked where they had left An
ME?
oh poor dear! replied his daughter,
1
with blush, Tho silly girl did not wish
to listen to the talk about her own marri-
age; and so-but here she is herself,' said
Mary, as Annie came leisurely round the
corner.
The longed for day at length arrived.
Owing to the comparatively recent death of
Edgar's parents, and to his intimate friend
Campbell having just lost his father, the
marriage was to be very quiet affair in
deed.
Mary, poor girl, who, of course was
principal bridesmaid, sent word at the last
moment that she could not appear, being
confined to her room, rs her mother eX-
planned, by sudden fit of illness.
Some sympathizing lady friends shook
their heads very significantly when they
heard it, and listened to Mrs. Leslie's ex-
planatlon with polite lncreduiity.
III was no wonder, they said-or ralher
looked, III the poor thing had broken
down at last indeed they had always eX-
pedcted 1t, ana II was wonderful now long
and well she had managed to keep up ap-
pearanccS.
The happy couple were very agltaIcd'
Edgar looked pale ana excited. lie was
trembling with agitation, ana his eyes wan-
dcred continually from the bride to the IA
ther The bride herself, though closely
veiled, from some whim or other, which
Old Leslie could not understand and which
the LADIES put down to affected modesty,
shoWeu as ihuch agitation as Edgar
Ihe marriage service was Snort after the
fashion Of dlssenters. The clergyman was
matter boc,roborl- mad, If o. short rs ,,.,.,