Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-31
THE SLIPPING OF ROTH STOOLS.

ously between love and lucre.
THE SLIPPING OF 10th STOOLS.
Tomkins' week of suspense was over,
and he stood before Annie 10 hear his sem
tence. As will have been anticipated, II
was favorable; and Tomkins bore 1t as
well as he could. Annie was, perhaps, a
little astonished and even nettled at his
want of rapture; but then she had not been
behind the scenes as we have, and knew
nothing of his med tations during his soli-
tary ride. She would have been complete
ly reassured by the extreme anxiety he
displayed to have his happiness as
speedily secured as possible by the mar
riage ceremony, only his manner, as he
whimpered, "Let the happy day be soon,
dear ANNIE" reminded her little of Mae
beth saying, "If it we're done, when tits
done, 'twere well It were done quickly"
However, Mrs. Maddox was consulted;
and she, considerate soul, having always
been Of opinion that short engagements are
on every account the best, "when there are
no pecuniary obstacles, and there Is no OBJ
ject to be gained by waiting" saw no OBJ
lection whatever to "that day six weeks"
"That day six weeks" came at last
young woman and young man went into
a pretty village church two and came out
one; and the ranks of the married were re-
cruited by another couple called Mr.. and
Mrs. Tomkins.
And Bushby got cards.
Ha of oil raI tha, .
cation had not included the spelling of dis
syllsbles. And even when he had spelt
the name, it conveyed to his mind no idea
of any living creature he had ever seen.
Who could the scoundrel bef Perhaps he
was an old gentleman-the old gentleman
indeed. 1t had all come of Toms going to
Ceylon. For mother and daughter living
alone could not ask young man to stay
with them.
For good quarter of an hour Bushby
sat with his head buried in his arms, which
were folded upon The table; and ii must
not be considered discreditable to him, If
at the end of that time when he once more
looked rp, there was a suspicious redness
about his eyes. He again took out the lit
tie notes already alluded to, and having
lighted taper, deliberately burnt them,
one by one. AS the last became a small
twist of ashes, he sighed heavily but soon
recovering himself, he muttered, $50 much
for love tomorrow for lucre"
The next day, about three P. NJ, he sal
lied forth carefully dressed and with an air
of great decision. He was determined
there should be no more shilly-shallying,
and there was nothing now to prevent him
from taking the goods the gods seemed to
have provided for him-no small voice of
conscience to whisper that he was sacrific-
ing love for lucre.
He had gone but few yards when a
hand was laid on his arm. He turned and
saw his uncle.
"Why, john" said the latter, "you look
quite smart. Is 1t a fair question to ask
where you are goingY"
Perfectly fair" answered Bushby 81
am going to call on the Barry's."
"Ah you haven't been there for some
time, I think" rejoined the uncle.
81 am ashamed to say I've not" said the
nephew land they were awfully kind to
me when was ill.,"
"They said you seemed to want to avoid
them," snarled his uncle.
"AvOid them," exclaimed Bushby "the
last people In the world"
"You haven't been tn see u.s." resumed
the uncle, "for about three months and /
suppose you have treated the Parry's in
the same way"
"I called to thank them for their kind
ness" answered Bushby "but was told
they were in the country, and 1t was quite
uncertain when they would return; so /
left my card.'
"Irs pity you haven't been to see u.s."
rejoined the uncle; 1--WE could have told
you some news"
"oh indeed" rejoined Bushby "some-
thing pleasant, hope"
"Oh yes," sneered the uncle; "Ellen
Parry Is engaged to be married. A great
deal can be done in three months"
Bushby made great effort to appear un-
concerned, and he was pretty successful.
81 told you," he said laughing, but not
quite on the right side of his mouth, "that
she would soon be picked up"
II can tell you something, John" re-
Joined his uncle savagely; "you are a oorn
fool"
"well, SIR" replied Bushby, wincing a
little, 1--WE are closely related, you know"
go and ask your aunt what she thinks
Of you," said the uncle, not noticing the
taunt "good-day TO you, and more sense
the next time, though you'n never have
such chance again. She has thirty thous-
and pounds, II she has penny"
And the uncle departed, shaking his head
sorrowfully, and repeating, "Ahi thirty
thousand pounds, II penny"
Bushby thought he would give up the
idea Of calling upon the Parrys, and would
call upon his aunt instead. She received
him coldly.
~ thought you had quite forgotten us
John" she said petulsntly.
my profession takes me away from
town great deal" replied Bushby "I'vs
been"
"I'll tell you what you have BEEN" burst
In his aunt savagely; "you've been boo.
by, john"
upon my word, aunt, you are as com.
plimentary as my uncle was just now"
"Oh! you have seen him2"
Eyes, / met him in the street."
"And what did he sayf"
"Well, hardly like to repeat It ON ac.
count of our relationship, but he said wa,
| q born fool"
"Ahi then you know about Ellen Par.
ry," rejoined his aunt, as II the expression