Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-11-21


table, Mr.. Dey and George exclaimed:
"I always told you something would
happen. Aud now there's an end to this
folly"
"But there is not an end" said Susie,
quietly. And so the sequel proved.
1t already seemed convenient to George
to be able to make what engagements he
pleased without the fear of being called up
on to go somewhere he did not wish to, and
Susie now cast prejudice to the winds, and
darned seditious thoughts into the toes of
stockings, and laid great plans in elbow
patches, which, if known, might have
scratched and pricked more seriously than
ever forgotten pin had done. Marca's
life was full of content, and she was so
playful with George and so social with Mr..
Thornton that Edith languidly began to
think that Marcia really liked men.
A few weeks after Marcia misad venture,
as she and Susie were going 10 lecture,
they met Mr.. Thornton coming in. His
pleasant face was clouded, and he bowed
abstractedly to them as he inquired for
Edith. Marcia's mind wandered little
would hardly have appreciated the elabo-
rate explanations of the speaker if she had
known what was going on in the parlor at
home.
Edith had greeted her lover in her grace
ful manner, and then, dropping into an ca
sy chair, had prepared herself for the usu-
al admiration. But Mr.. Thornton seemed
TO be thinking about something else, and
talked in an abstracted, disjointed style, and
al last abruptly broke into the subject on
his mind. A great blow had come in his
business; he had been in trouble for some
time, and now all was over--he was ruined
1t would take all his private fortune to pay
his debts; he must begin over again. OF
course it would he some years before they
could marry, and then he might be a poor
man. He ran through the matter hastily,
evidently too much disturbed to dwell up
on 1t, and anxious to let her know the ex-
tent of the disaster. Edith had lost her
plant grace as the tale went on, and before
1t was finished, seemed to be busy with
some plan. Mr.. Thornton leaned over and
took the beautiful hand that wore his cost
ly gift, and as he completed his recital,
looked in her face for some token of love.
She calmly lifted her white lids and said
"Why pay your de1ts? Keep your mon
ey and be comfortable. That's the way
many men do"
He started and dropped her hand, but
catching both, leaned toward her and said {:
"You are not in earnest?"
YES, for my sake. OF course | can't
marry poor man."
You know l never could think of such
thing" he REPLIED springing up and
pacing the room. "But Edith, a few wears
would not be long to wait, and / would
have such a prize 10 work for!" and he bent
tenderly over her, dropping kiss into her
golden hair
"lt would be great while TO wait, and
what of me, meantme?' And the tears of
vexation sprang into Edlhs eyes, but were
dried, for crying made her face red. ppm
twenty-five now. You must save YOUR
money
Don't talk so! cried Mr.. Thornton,
moving restessly about "it makes me
feel as if you do not love me-"
81 don't know that do" replied Edith $
soft voice, while she slipped the diamond
ring up and down upon her finger.
He stopped as if stunned, and stood like
statue until Marcia's clear voice said:
II wonder If Mr.. Thornton has gone.
hope he is in no trouble" and steps were
heard on the. stairs.
II cannot see thcm," he said. 'Good-
night" catching Edith in his arms. "You
don't know what you've said. I'll see you
Tomorrow evening"" and passed the ladies
in the doorway, bowling hastily as he went
out.
The next evening the engagement was
broken, and Mr.. Thornton was no longer a
frequent visitor. The family wore aston
ished at the event, and Marcia indignant
when she discovered the cause but Edith
had not nature TO be moved by surprise
or indignation in others, and pursued her
way, certain that she had acted for the best
Robert Thornton, however, had not forgot.
ten Marcia's helpful tone, and when he met
her one Sunday at church, and she urged
his calling adding, ''Susie and 1 are quite
alone now mother and Edith are away
he came.
He was slowly working upward in the
face of much discouragement,a and Marcia's
cordial sympathy and quick womanly in.
tuition were real help and comfort to him
He soon was in the habit of dropping in tc
ask her advice, or if things went wrong
to hear her hearty I'm sorryr' and 10 fee
the grasp of her strong hand. He even be
came inclined TO hold the latter little long
er than was necessary, and to lnger on thu
balcony in the summer twilight, talking o
other things than business, while Susi,
read by the low lamp in the library. Sh,
was becoming as much absorbed in her oc
cupa tion as the couple in the moonlight
though bones and muscles, belladonna anC
scarlet fever, are rather different topic
from those chosen by Marcia and her com
panion. But tastes differ, and while on,
temperament requires strong doses of phys
ic to bring healthy action, another on!,
needs a little petting, and all is right; anC
50 with the sisters. There came ar evening
when Marcia, returning from a walk, slip
ped her arm about Susie's neck, and laid
burning cheek on her forehead.
"Why grille r'-and Susie finished al
osseous sentence before she looked up
"Something has happened" she asserte,
when Marcias sparkling eyes and quiver
ing lips were fully revealed.
"oh, Susie, he's splendd-and we're :
happy!' was the rapturous response.
After an hours interval when the bool
was forgotten, and Marcia on the floor an
Susie bending over her, each trying to out
talk the other, Marcia suddenly exclaim
ed:
"But, Susie, what will you dor We hav
been so much together, and I'm your es
cort ?"