Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-01-13

remarked quite naturally that he was a lit
tie amazed at the way things had turned
round, that he wished to marry one about
whom he had so often expressed himself
In terms not the highest, and especially
that he could criticise her at the very mo-
ment he announced such serious inten-
tion regarding her.
"Yes, i am fully determined TO marry
her." said the doctor, not altogether salts
fed with Lionel's reply, "and 1 shall hur-
ry up tho matter, too, so If should soon
follow in the wake of Jerry don't be sur
prised."
Lionel smiled pleasantly, and assuring
him that he considered 1t wise selection,
they parted.
week after that, DIR. Herbert Keyser,
in his best black suit, with the momentous
question ready in the most approved style,
ascended the eminence on which his Ber-
tha's cottage home was situated. As the
mellow rays Of the moon lit up the vines
and shrubbery he considered 1t the lowell
est place in the world. His heart was full
of love and hope and he felt happy and ex-
lu,tant. On arriving at the vine-covered
portico and inquiring for Miss Reynolds
he was told she was not at home.
"And when will she return7'
"Indeed, couldn't hardly tell you, DR..
Keyser," said Berthas mother, mot for
two or three weeks, though"
1.-TWO or three weeksi Is she out of
town."
"Oh, yes; she went away this morning.
She has gone on her bridal tour"
"MarriedW gasped the doctor, feeling
stunned. "To whomP"
"Yes, she was married this morning.
The cards are ready and will be sent out
tomorrow. There is one for you, will go
and bring it; but won't you come in ?"
ask ed the old lady kindly. He shook his
head, and in his weak condition leaned
against the trellis for support.
Presently Mrs. Reynolds returned with
the snowy envelope. 1t was with difficult
ty that his unsteady fingers could extricate
the card, and then he read from the glim-
mer of the hall lamp: Mr.. and Mrs. Lio-
mel Hays, Miss Bertha Reynolds.)
Slowly he returned home in such maze
that he could not comprehend what it all
meant. When within few steps Of his
office he met Jerry Little, and blurted out
spitefully:
$50 after all, Lionel Hays has gone and
married that poverty stricken and illiterate
girl.'
Mrs Lionel Hays cannot be very power
ty stricken, neither can understand how
| Viola can be called illiterate."
"Hang violai Who's speaking of herr"
said DIR. Keyser wrathfully.
SIN alluding to Mrs. Lionel Hays you
speak of her."
"How2 l don't understand" said the
doctor, family, topping against lamp
post like drunken man.
"Viola and Bertha are one and the same.
1 never knew it until last night when Lilo
mel told me all about it and would you
believe it, Ivy Cliff, that we both consider
ed town, is the name of their residence
You know the cottage is situated on a vine
covered and terraced hill. l remember
now, those vines are nearly all ivy. They
have been engaged several months"
tIerDsAt Keyser waithd to hear no more
but reeling into his Office closed and bolted
the door, and then sank powerless into the
first chair that offered With his head ben
on his hands he passed the waning hour,
of the night The blue and gilt poems o
Viola lay near by all unheeded, while tn,
serpents and skeletons were his only sen
tinels through the vigils of the night.
Though desperate remedy, DIR. Keyse
became wiser man, and was careful evel
after to place higher estimate upon wo
man, and the knowledge dawning into hi
benighted brain that lady may WRIT
beautiful poetry and still combine all th'
graces of heart and mind, and be indeet
the angel of the household.