Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-22
The Red Cottage.

Dr.. Duustan was dead Every one in
Haybury was wondering if his young assist
ant would step iuto the practice, and every
one felt sure Of it when they found that Mr..
Trayers was engaged to the doctors niece,
Cyrilla Dunstan.
DR.. Dunstan had lived up to his income, |
and Cyrlla did not even inherit from him
enough to keep her from actual want Her |
uncle had never looked carefully into his af-
fairs, and on his death it was found that the |
sale Of his practice would barely pay his
debts.
What shall we do ?" asked Cyrilla of
Arthur Travers you see | have no money
now, and poor uncle always told me | should
have enough to furnish Longley Rise, and to
keep the wolf from the door till you got IA
nous We must wait, Arthur it would not
do for me to pull you down. and tears came
into Cyrlla's eyes.
But Arthur Trayers had other plans.
Cyrilla,' he said gravely eve were
to have been married at Easter and think
it may still be so. Dearest, could you bear
to be very poor and not to live at Longley
Rise for a whiIe-the Rcd Cottage would
hold us both, and my old Tabitha would
do her best for you; but you would not have
your old comforts round you-think of it,
dear"
Cyrilla looked up quickly. 90 Arthur,
quite Ike the Red Cottage. don't want
comforts; and Tabby is such an amusing old
thing"
The young people were very happy in their
new plans, and it went forth to the world that
the marriage was to take place.
Then began Cyrilla's troubles: her friends
told her she was doing most imprudcnt
thing, settling down with that young Trayers
on 200e a-year, she who had been used to
her pony-carriagc, her books, her large allow
anco for dress it was ridiculous for her, and
ruinous for him Now if he had taken the
old doctors practice that would have been
| different matter people would have naturally
gone to him, and he would soon be able to
clear of any debt incurred at the outset.
| Cyrila was very uncomfortable, and luckily
bethought herself Of trying to make Arthur
so he listened to her summary Of her friends
opinions, and laughed outright, then growing
grayer, he said " Cyrilla dear, you have no
near relations, and therefore this is matter
entirely between you and me, and we won't
let any one else settle il for us. If you can
live happily in cottage with one servant, no
piano at first aud few amusements, don't let
any one lrighten you out Of it. As to the
practice, | have not the money to buy the
half Of it,
But couldn't you borrow some ?" asked
Cyrilla.
THAT will never do, said young Trav-
ers.
"No, Cyrilla dear, you and | will manage
better than that; | should be miserable
man, even with you, if | had load of debt
on my shoulders Still dear, Mrs Vernon
and Mrs Charteris are right; you ought tC
think seriously before accepting " love in Q
cottage You know you could have a home
, with either Of thom.'
Now, Arthur, know you arc in jest,
said Cyrilla. " have taken the love- anC
don't mean to give it up because Of the cot
tage indeed | do like it best, if they would
not worry me So
"Come along, then, and don't mind them
| want to take you to the cottage Tabby il
: longing to make friends with you; she hai
lived in our family thirty years, and think
me a baby still"
"And can't imagine what you want with /
wife" laughed Cyrilla.
The Red Cottage was pretty little place
Cyrilla was delighted with it. Tabby stoot
aoof at FIRST but could not resist the brigh
ways of her young visitor.
We must polish things up bit for you,
she suggested. " reckon you'll be used t
finer ways than ours"
But this Cyrilla Indignantly denied
And we must get some one to help you
Tabby," said her master -" little girl ou
of the village"
None such ever darkens my kitchen,
said Tabby, severely; "lazy little hussies, a
} cats more than they works. No, no. master
me aud the misses will do all"
Cyrilla laughed and bushed, well pleaseC
at the old woman's patronizing adoption o
I her, and she hastily stopped Arthur's moutt
as he began protesting he did not mean her t(
{ do homework.
| There there,--leaye it to u.s. said Tab
byi "woll manage. The man kind never
knows nothing
Faster saw Cyrilla installed in her tiny
house after ten days wedding.tour. Tabby
had frightened up tho rooms. Cyrilla's OWL