Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-01-26

There were two advantages, he thought, he
had secured in Strutton. There was but one
doctor in the place and he was growing old.
The people around were wealthy, and alto
gether Allan Carlton felt satisfied with his
prospects. lie took a pretty little house in
the High street-a house that was always
rcsplendent by means of bright windows,
dazzling white blinds, and Il glittoring
door plate, on which was engraved the
name of DR.. Carlton.
The townspeople liked and esteemed
him; he was a general favorite, and con-
sidered everywhere as Il great acquisition
to society. But as in the words of the song,
"Money comes slowly in," the practice
was very long in growing. Every one
liked the young doctor, praised him, con
sidered him clever, amablo and talented;
but his rival, DIR. Black, had been for so
many years among them, that he under
stood, it was thoroughly believed, every
separate constitution in Strutton. For long
wears he had been the confidential adviser
and intimate friend of every one whose
patronage was worth having. People did
did not like dismissing an old acquaint-
ahce without some definite reason, and
there asnone in this case. However pop
ular and agreeable the younger doctor
might be, he found but little employment.
If any stranger came to dwell at Strutton,
Dr. Carlton was chosen and the elder man
was not unknd to the younger rival. Sew
eral times he had confided cases to him,
had summoned him to consultations, and
always spoke of him in way calculated to
win the esteem of others for him.
SO matters went on very slowly and sat
isfactorily until the doctor had the good or
i'll fortune to fall in love.
There was no more charming girl in the
midland counties than Laura Fulton. The
only wonder was that every one did not
love her as desperately as Allan Carlton
did. She had tall, slender, graceful fig
urc, with white hands that might have
served for duchess, with pretty tapering,
rose tipped fingers, sweet, fair face, with
delicate bloom upon cheek and lip, white
brow, large, limpid blue eyes, clear and
shining, full of love and trust, a wealth of
fair hair, that crowned one of the prettiest
heads ever seen out of picture. Her
beauty was the least charm the greatest
was her loving disposition and tender,
sensitive heart.
Soon after Allan Carlton came to Strutton
he saw and loved pretty Laura. At first it
was without any hope; but in Il short time
he saw that the sweet face blushed its
brightest crimson for him, her shy, tender
eyes dropped when his own met them and
1a1i Ia,
his grasp. All this the young doctor noted
and it gave him hope.
So one evening, the end of bright June
day, when the fragrance of the hawthorn
filed the air, and the red ses were bend
ing their dew-laden heads, Allan told the
treasured story of his love, and that to not
unwilling ears.
II was worth kings ransom to see the
vivid beautiful glow of happiness that
lighted up her fair iace-to see her shy
eyes droop so rs TO hide the love light in
them.
That hour in the evening cleaning was
one of the happiest Allan and Laura ever
knew. 1t ended all too soon-there were
stern realities to face. They both had the
same fear; it was that Mr.. Fulton would
not think Allan wealthy enough for his
child and heiress.
Laura had no mother; she had been dead
for many long years. Her father was n
stern, gloomy man, who had but two
sources of happiness; one was his daugh-
ter, the other his money. lie was proud
and fond of Laura; he delighted in her
beauty and accomplishments; he had al
ways intended her to make what he con-
sdered a good match. lie thought her, to
use his own words, "Good enough for any
thing or any one"
Knowing all this, the lovers felt afraid
till Allan went boldly next morning to
know his fate.
This was a different thing from telling
his love story in the evening cleaning to
willing ears. At this interview there was
nothing said of love or constancy, not one
word Of the hopes that make life so bright
to young and happy lovers. 1t was all
prose and matter of fact. Mr.. Fulton ask
ed Allan what his prospects We're, how much
his profession brought him per annum, If
he had money saved, and Il variety of other
questions more agreeable to worldly ia
Tiers than to unworldly lovers.
lie had thought with complacency of the
little account he had in the Strutton Bank
When he named-one hundred and TWEEN
ty-hve pounds--it seemed so trifling he
wondered he could ever have been proud
of it.
But the stern man who listened to the
young lovers story did not appear to
think so badly of his position.
"You must be aware, Mr.. Carlton" he
said, "that have looked for something far
different for my daughter. | expected her,
with her fortune and other advantages to
marry well. Still do not wish to be hard.
| like and esteem you; you have done
your best since you have been in Strutton
you have shown good and useful qualities,
industry, perseverance and courage. Yet
one more reason-my child loves YOU
am disposed to give you a fair trial, Lau-
IN is too young too marry, she is not twen-
~ yet. If at the end of two years you can
show me that you are in a position to sup
port a wife, l will give You one"
"Nay,' he interrupted, as Allln was
aboutAo express his gratitude, "hcar me
out. You have saved some money. If at
the end Of two years you can show me a
balance of five hundred pounds, | will put
five more to it, and we will make arrange
ments for purchasing a partnership with
DR.. Black. If, failing in this, you can show
me that you are making clear, two hum
dred per annum, | will do the same but,
understand distinctly, if you fail in both
these objects, then at expiration of two
years ! shall consider Laura free, and the
whole affair ended. She must not waste
+, the best part of her life in a long and use
less engagement. Now my advice to you
is-work and save"
Work and save Allan did. The reply
was so much more favorable than either he
or Laura had expected that in the first gla-
mour of love and hope they saw no di1i-
culties.
nna xnar nuasa1- hoouttf,,1 s,,lJo,, ,toa a.