Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-05-10
inquired Liz, in most matter. Of fact

ana gel ready 10 leaVe lnlS mouse iO-mOr-
row." replied the most dis racted girl.
"And you won't marry Hiram Scovile ?"
II will never marry Hiram--so help me
father In Heaveni'
"Thats the talk r. said Liz, with an om-
inous shake Of the head "that's the cheesel
Now, just let your trunk alone to- night,
and watch this pumpkin for me. I've got
to go out for an hour or two, and wouldn't
have II burn for considerable. I calculate
TO spread myself on them pies"
"Shall I have to sit here all the time,
Liz2'
"Well, guess you'd better. The tarnal
stuff sticks sometimes when you least ex-
pect it," And with these words Liz shut
the back door aud hurried out of sight.
"It's good fvo miles there and back"
said she 10 herself. "I can't walk It and
get back in any kind Ct season. Now, If
this aint a case of special Providence, then
don't know. There's Dick Sanders tin
cart this blessed minute He's inside,
ss,rting his supper with old marm Chase.
I'll borrow that vehicle; and if I'm half as
smart as ought to be, he'll never know
where in the world ii went to, or how 1t
got back, unless I'm mind TO tell him
which, just as likely az not, shall be-
In "a twinklng old Dobbn's wrappings
were removed, and in a twinkling Liz was
in the peddler's seat, and in twnkling
more out of sight. The tin pans ratified
and cattered, the bells around the horses
neck jingled merrily; but Liz heard moth
ing, saw nothing, but the object of her err
rand. Leaving her strange team block
or two from the principal hotel Of the town
she had entered, she made her way to that
establishment.
"A woman to see you on the steps, Mr..
Moreland," said servant in waiting.
"Looks like washer-woman. Says she
can't come in."
ITS Liz" whispered the gentleman to
himself "Bless the dear creatures heart,
what can she want tonight, wonder. Oh,
Flora Flora Y and with heavy heart Mr..
Moreland walked quickly to the door.
Here was face for an artist-a face upon
which true nobility sat enthroned. No
need of acquaintance to tell what manner
of man he was. He had come to Water
town on business, and had informed Liz of
vduals had been in correspondence since
the trouble between said gentleman and
Flora, and Liz had always known that
Philip Moreland was not married, but she
wisely kept her own counsel. believing
that this lesson was needed for the entire
subugaton of the rebelIious little Flora.
Not that there had been any falsehood told
though in this connection. APbilip More
land had married, but not this one.
"Tve come for you, Mr.. Moreland." said
Liz.
"Fpr me What for?" inquired the gen
tleman, in bewilderment
sect on your great coat and come along;
we'll talk afterwards" said the woman in
tone of authority.
"But Flora ?"
Don't know nothing Mt all about it,
Has put her foot down that she won't mar
ry Hiram -; confessed that she loves
you married or single, better than anybody
else in the created world; and if she can't
have You, she'll live single till Gabriel
blows his horn, and then look up Philip
Moreland.
Liz, you have taken away my breath"
"Wall, what If l have?" replied the
strange woman. "You refused to bulge
till did,"
The tin.cart was little too much for the
anxious lovers risibilities even. He laughed
till the tears ran down his cheeks and froze
on, and then laughed again, until others
came to melt them.
Over the hard uneven ground they went,
bumpity bump. while the bells sounded
out merry peal, which sound Liz declar-
ed just as welcome to her ears as any we'd
ding chime she ever heard.
The tin-cart was left in the lane, old Dob
bin carefully covered, and Farmer Nevin's
boy was sent to tell Dick Sanders where
his establishment could be found.
"Just look here now; aint that Il pretty
sight?' and Liz brought her companion to
a sudden halt by the kitchen window.
There stood Flora, one foot on the stove
hearth, her elbow on her knee, her head
resting in the palm Of her left hand, whilo
with the right she diligently stirred the
pumpk in to keep from burning.
"Set her to work to keep her from think
ing," said Liz softly. "Stay here in the
!
won't take but minute" she continued,
as the impatient man would have rushed
in"
"Oh, Liz, you have got back-how glad |
am It's been awful lonesome here. Where
have you been9"
"Wall, I had a little arrant about Mr..
Moreland. | wanted TO find out whether
wall, you see, whether he was married or
not, and | find out he amt"
Liz! Liz! Liz! who told your Speak
| quick, dear old Liz, or shall choke you
to DEATH
Al this juncture, Liz opened the porch
door, and with burst OF tears which the
poor old soul couldn't control another mo-
ment, sobbed out
"He did"
What's the use of going on7 Flora was
in the gentleman's arms, of course, and the
whole affair was lovingly and satisfactorily
settled.
When, few days amer, Dick Sanders
pulled up to the door, LIS merriment was
entirely beyond control and when he COM
menced to rehearse the story of the lost
lin. cart, it can be safely said that no such
peas Of laughter ever echoed through the
old farm house before or since.
II heard those bells with my own ears,
Dick Sanders, and l never heard 'em ring
so fast before. Do you believe in spirits,
Dick ?"
"Gollyl no, Liz; should be afraid of
my shadow If did. You don't believe in
'em do You LizH"
"There was spirit of a woman in that
tin-cart, Dick Sanders, as true as you're
alive, chasing after a man. I'd be willing
to take my affidavit to it,"
Dick lefl.- Woods Household Magazine.
Too FAMILIAR.-There is station on