Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-28

| tor Mrs. Millburn and Hattie could only
cry aud rustic about and overset things
with their dresses. Evert would grow rest
less as soon as Emily left him, so that the
charge, in spite of herself, fell into her
hands.
Happily Mrs. Milburn and Hatty were
not jealous. On the contrary they admired
Emily extremely, and were very grateful
and affectionate.
Before the end Of the week Evert came
to himself.
"I have dreamed you were here,' he
said with faint smile. "Now 1 see 1t Is
you, and no phantom"
The delirium had gone, but the doctor
said nothing encouraging. Evert insisted
on hearing the exact truth and learned at
last that he might possibly live few days,
but not longer.
Then, to Emiy's wonder and dismay,
Evert entreated that, for the little time there
was remaining, she would take his name.
His heart was set on this idea, and he plead
ed, for what seemed such useless boon,
with a vehemence that seemed likely to
hasten his last moments. Mrs. Millburn
and Hatty seconded the petition with tears,
and were sure that darling Emily "would
not refuse dear Eyert's last request"
Emily did whit nine women out OF ten
would have done in the same case, and con-
sented.
"What harm can ii do2" she thought, at
is only mere form, but ii gives me the
right to be with him TO the end, and will
prevent any talk aud he is so good, and
has loved mo so well; and if it comforts
him now TO think that my name will be
Millburn instead of May, why should re-
fusc?" And then ii crossed her mind that
widows cap would be very becoming to
her, and she hated herself because this sill
ly notion had come 10 her unbidden, and
twisted up her hair tight and plain, and
went to meet the clergyman in her old
black mohair, which had become consider
ably spotted down the front in the course
of her nursing.
The rite was made as short as possible,
and then Mrs. Mllburn sent every one
away, and for two days the bride stood
over the bridegroom and fought death till
she was ready to faint.
The doctor gave up the patient entirely,
duu ttdStu W w anu, US SOInG-
times happens in like cases, he took a turn
for the better; and, slowly the balance
trembled, the scale inclined, and life had
won.
"I'll tell you what it isl said the doctor,
"your wife has saved your lfe."
Eyert turned his head on his pillow, and
looked for Emily; but she had slipped
away into the next room, where she sat
down, feeling, for the first time, with a
strange shock, that she was actually mar
ried. What should she do?. What could
she say? How could she tell Evort, after
all, that sho had only come to him as she
would have gone to Pat Murphy, if he had
sent for her, and consented to thai mar
age rite as she had lent her silver candle
sticks to hold Father Flanagan's blessed
candles when Judy Murphy died?
The doctor went down stairs and pres
emily Mrs. Millburn and Hatty came 10
her, and overwhelmed her with embraces
and gratitude, and a point.apj't9ue set, and
fragmentary talk about fer "things,"
and proposals to send foriier mother, all
mingled together. Emily resolutely put
away thought for the time, but she could
not help feeling in an odd surprised sort of
way, that she was not unhappy, and de-
| spised herself for having a sort of asham-
ed, furtive interest in those "things," which
Mrs. Millburn and Hatty were longing to
| provide.
| A week afler that day, Evert was allow
ed 10 sit up in his easy chair, white and
wan enough, but with a look of returning
haa1th and lifa Emily ol not
with her back to him, looking out into the
tossing leafless branches of the great elm.
emily" said Mr.. Milbprn, at last.
Eyes" she answered quietly, hut she did
not turn her head.
emily, did not mean to get well.''
No answer from Mrs. Mllburn.
II know how much you must feel what
has happened. Believe me, 1 will take no
advantage of your goodness; will set you
free as soon as L can. My only wish is 10
| spare you trouble; / will take all blame
on myself. I know you are longing TO be
away; and why should I delay what must
come at last? dare say Dick and Mrs.
Macy, the nurse, can do all / need now."
"Oh, if you prefer Mrs. Macy's attend
ance, am sure it is nothing 10 me-" said
Emily in remarkably cross manner.
"You are angry with me, but there need
be no difficulty, dear. You came away
from home so hurriedly that it would be
perfectly natural for you TO return to your
mother now"
| But here, TO Evert's dismay, Emily hid
her face, and began to cry in quite pas
slonate and dislresscul fashion. Evert rose
with difficulty. and went to her,-it was not
more than three steps.
"Do YOU want to kill yourself?" she said
through her sobs, and she took hold ofhim
and made him sit down, and then turned
away, and laid her head on the window
seat.
"What can do?" he said, distressed.
"Its too bad" Oh, it's too bad!' she
said in the most unreasonable way.
IT know 1t, Emily. You are as free as
though no word had ever passed between
us. Do you want TO so to-dayH l will
make il easy for you with mother and Hat
ty," he said, with pang.
She went on crying, and then in min
ute she said, in most ncoherent fashion,
"I-didn't think was so very disagree
able" The words dropped out one by one
between her sobs. "But of course, IL you
don't want me"
emily What do you mean? VIII you
stay? viii You really try TO care for mef'
he asked, with a sudden light in his eyes.
"I don't know. Ibid think-as mat
ters are, we might try 10 mako the best of
it," she said in the faintest whisper, while
the color ran to her fingers ends.
"You will ?"
II will If you WILL" said Mrs. Millburn,
| with n swaat Shv smila