Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-11-07

half-nischievou at me, as she started up.
"Tiresome little animals, as Mr.. Thorne
rightly called thom,' said I, rising too. As
we entered tho hall, the street door was
just closing on Webster.
"Will that BIO match, do you think - I
asked, the sight of him reminding me OF
the subject.
Good heavensr' exclaimed Miss
Knowles, stopping short and gazing anx-
iously into my face-"Rosa Miss Morrell
and Mr.. Webster do you mean? Do YOU
see any real reason for asking such a ques-
ton ?"
"Only human nature in general, and-if
you will excuse my saying so of your little
friend-Miss MorrelPs nature in particular,
1 don't think if l were in Webster's place,
I should despair"
Rosa is thoughtless, but cannot be-
lieve-" She did not finish her sentence,
but with knit brows walked off, declining,
as she invariably did, my company on the
way.
That same evening, as 1 was smoking at
my window, heard Miss Knowles voice
from the next room, Miss Morrell's. She
had apparently just approached the win
dow, which must have been open, for
heard every word distinctly.
mo, Rosa, 1 certainly do not like him.
dstrust his face, it is cruel and cowardly.
If the choice were really between the two,
should say a thousand times sooner Mr..
Deblay than Mr.. Webster, for at least
But when 1t came to names, l thought it
time TO make some sign of existence. I
gave slight cougE the window was in
stantly closed, and heard no more.
1t appeared, however, that had not been
the only uninvted listener to this trag-
mentary scene. The next minute Webster
came ont of the farthest corner of the bal
cony where he had been sitting, too deep
in shadow TO be perceived until he moved.
His face, as it came into the light, wore an
expression that certainly justified Miss
Knowles opinion.
$50 that's her little game is il p he NUT
tered. "But if don't manage to get the
odd trick of her, by -" and with an
oath he brought down his hand on the rail-
ing as he disappeared.
hesitated at first if ought not to put
Miss Knowles on her guard, by informing
her of what had passed. But felt asham-
ed to disquiet her, no doubt needlessly, By
repeating that vague sort of bluster, and
as, for the next few days, Webster seemed
quieer than usual, ended by myself for
getting his words.
But somewhat more than week later,
his manner suddenly changed. 1t was one
morning that he had friend with him,
whom he had brought home the night be-
fore and kept to breakfast. This fellow,
Mosely think was his name, was one of
Webster's own sort, and the two were in
oppressively high spirits, Webster, in par
ticular, making great number of small
Jokes, pointless, as it struck me- but which
appeared TO afford him much satisfaction,
and which he accompanied, as iancied, by
sly glances at Miss Knowles for which I
should have been delighted to fling the
contents of my coffeecup in his face.
Toward the end of the meal Mosey re-
minded Webster of some letter which the
latter was 10 show him. Webster took out
his pocket book, and began turning over
the papers irsde.
"rhis it, Gus?" said Mosely, taking hold
of the nearest, square white envelope di-
rected in what look ed, so far rs I could see
across the table, very peculiar hand. But
Webster drew it back hastily.
"No, no, that's private letter." he an
swered, and this time I could not mistake
that he gave one of those odd looks across
at Miss Knowles, "a very peculiarly pri-
vate letter, that 1 wouldn't let out of my
hands for double X"
"Well, you needn't be afraid of my max
ing bid for it," replied Mosely; 1--WE use
enough for my double KS without buying
up Old paper. Now, then ! have you found
the right thing this time, or shall I call
again next Christmas P"
Webster, it tappeared, had found the right
thing, and the two witty gentlemen pres
emily deprived us of their company.
Il don't remember ever TO have seen Mr..
Webster in such an agreeable flow of spir-
it's" said I TO Miss Knowles, who, with
myself happened to be the last left at the
table, ~ wonder what it betokens?"
"No good to somebody" answered Miss
Knowles contemptuously, the first word
she had ever said to me against Webster.
l was about to reply, when my foot touched
something under the table, and STOPPING
down picked up paper.
"Mr. Webster has dropped one of his let
ters-the peculiarly private one, perhaps"
1 said, laughing, and, turning it over, rec
ognized, In fact, the marked handwriting.
At tho same moment Miss Knowles eyes
fell on the superscription, and her face grew
white to the very lips.
"My God can it be-r she gasped.
"Give 1t TO me-the letter--the letter" i'm
patiently, as looked at her In bewlder-
ment. gave /. TO her, she tore it open,
cast one glance at the signature, and then
her hand as if palsed let the crushed pa
per fall, and she sat staring straight before
her with Il look of such blank despair as
hope never to see again in any human face.
"What is the writer of that letter to your"
cried, with pang Of keen, though unde-
fined jealousy.
"Iie was-he is-my husband" she said,
slowly, as if every word was weight drag
ged from her. Then with sudden, fever
isa haste. "You did not expect to find me
an impostor! But remember, warned
you! All, you are silent! You would not
drink that pledge TO friendship now?"
"Not TO friendship" broke in, reused
out of my stupor, 'but TO love! Why
should a man you hate stand between you
and"
"Stop, Mr.. Denvers," she interposed
grave!y, "stop, before you speak any word
to destroy the single pleasant memory of
all my ator years. Do look like wo-
man 10 sacrifice honor TO happiness? Have
l ever given you glance or tone that could
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