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


pecting George. every moment.
Looking for any one, miss?" asked
man, putting his face close to Susie's.
She started back and clutched Marcia,
who sternly said:
NO." in naturally deep Voice, deliver
ing the word as If IL had been a stone.
beg PARDON" said the man, hastily re-
treating.
THAT comes of looking for a man." said
Marcia
Susie was too disturbed TO speak, expect
ing unpleasant encounters at every corner;
but when they moved as with purpose,
they had no other adventure. reaching
home In safety. George apologized, saying
he really forgot until it was too late, and
then he walked home with Boxer, as he
thought there was no use in going for them.
Marcia accepted his excuse, but told Susie
TO marx the value of leaning on "broken
reed.r
Putting my hand to the plow, and turn
ing back is not my way, and you'll be con-
vinced some time, too.'
From that time Marcia aud Susie pursu-
ed their course undevatingly. George and
the father were thoroughly unreconciled at
first, talked much, and TO do them justice
would have acted also, but Marcia was in
flexible. Sometimes, when IL met their
engagements, all went together, but more
often the girls went alone, and the matter
finally settled ITSELF AS the girls pursued
their way quietly and simply, they elected
no remark, and met with nothing unpleas-
ant Their faces became familiar 10 some
inveterato lecture and concert-goers, but as
they assumed the position as matter of
course, others accepted it in the same light.
Neither of them looked In the least like
strong minded women in the usually ac-
cepted sense. Marcia's defiance was truly
feminine in its character, and bright blush
and a sudden tumult in her bosom If too
closely approached, betrayed delicacy of
character which in measure unified her
for actual conflict with the world. Susie
was eminently fireside body in looks and
manner. Gentle and soft, a little trim,
bright person; but once look into the earn
est dark eyes and you'd shake your head.
There was something in them that sug-
gested change, and surely they were the
outlook of a thinker. Susie was not en-
tirelv content with things as they were
but the success of the experiment gradual
ly convinced her. and she began TO see that
women might have an Independent exist
ence and resign none of the grace and del
icacy of her sex. She learned too, that
men thoroughly respect women who, with
simple, honest purpose, attend to their
own affairs, even if in so doing they seem
TO stray out of the beaten path of life. Mar
cia was more content and happy than she
had ever been. The storm disappeared
from her black brows, and grace of wo-
manhood, born of peace and ant independ-
ence. was throned in her crown of shining
hair.
"Those are surely your cJusins," said
Mr.. Thornton, one evening, as he and
Edith came out from lecture,
"Yes;' she replied carelessly; adding
eagerly, "Why, there are Mr.. and Mrs.
Eames.''
Mr.. Thornton bowed with Indifference
TO the fashionable couple who passed them,
and turned to discuss the lecture with the
sisters. Edith afterwards declared herself
quite ready 10 die with modification at
meetng1hem in that way but Mr.. Thorn
ton seemed quite deli hted VITA Marcia's
bright remarks, and offered thesister lick
cts for the next evening.
81 should be delighted TO accompany you
if Edith would like TO go, but unfortunate
ly am always engaged upon Wednesday
evenings" he said at parting.
I,,gl L. ,,
said Edith.
"He did not,'' replied Marcia. "You
don't dc serve such Il lover;" and she went
up stairs with a rcd face.
81 thought him very polite" said Susie
''and l shall be glad to co.
The lecture was at some distance from
the girls residence and when they came
ont the cars were much crowded. Susie
demurred about getting on, but the con-
ductor urged that there was plenty OF room,
and when she had succeeded in gaining the
upper step, the car started without Marcia.
As they were on a down grade, they did
not succeed in stopping again until they
had gone nearly two blocks. Susie had no
choice but 10 alight and look for Marcia,
which she did with some trepidation. 1t
seemed so strange to be walking alone in
the night, but in an instant the absurdity
oi the position flashed across her. She had
considered herself protection for Marcia,
being older, and on no account would have
thought of going alone herself Yet here
they both were looking for each other, and
perhaps going farther away, for Marcia
might have taken the next car down. Still
as the case stood, Susie pursued her search
though her opinions had AIKEN leap tha
might have startled the boldest reformers
But she did not find Marcia, and aflei
much consideration and walking, went
home, to discover to her horror, that the
missing one had not appeared there either
The ladies of the family had retired, and
the gentlemen were still out so Susie sa
down upon the stair alone in the dimly
lighted hall to consider what had best b,
done. She was startled by the roll of a car
riage followed by a sharp ring of tie bell
and on opening the door Mr.. Thornton en-
tered with Marcia. In answer to Susie''
blank look of amazement, Marcia explain
ed:
"Mr. Thornton insisted, Susie, although
l told him 1t was entirely unnecessary"
"She really was not tit to come alone,
he replied, looking earnestly at Marcia
who turned aside with an embarrassed
manner,
"Rut whore have you been ?" ipqureC
the astonishod Susie, beginning to fee
somewhat confused with the light which
dawned upon her on more than one sub
ject.
"When went 10 get on the car, sud
denly became dizzy, and had TO sit dowl