Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-09

leaving the room, was rather odd for pa
tent. She tore The handkerchief from her
pretty brows, and, tossing her abundant
"tawny' curls into shape, she laughed a
little mocking laugh, in which there was
the slightest suspicion of sadness.
"Oh, Mrs. Grant, what farce T. she said,
with two little tears of vexation gathering
In her eyes.
"But isn't he handsome, Lima ?" asked
Mrs. Grant mischievously. "And don't
you like him ever so much2''
Lina's blue eye flashed, as though she
would have made some saucy answer, but
the gathering tears soon quenched the fire
In them, aud she hid her face in her hands,
sobhing.
"Obi Mrs. Grant, what an indelcate
thing for me TO dol What will he think
of me when he finds it out?"
"Lcave that to me, my DEAR" said Mrs.
Grant. 81 will take all the responsibility"
or course Miss Edwards 'eadache was
! great deal better the next morning; but
strange to say, DIR. Upton found 1t necessa-
ry to call every day for week afterward.
The last time he called, Miss Edwards was
out, and Mrs. Grant received him alone.
"Well," said she, after ordinary topics
had been discussed, "what do you think of
our Lina?"
at is precisely about Lima that 7 wish to
speak," said Upton. his lip trembling lit
tie. want to tell you frankly that after
having seen her l am quite sure that, in
Miss Fsnshaw's case love will be impossi-
| BILE. Now, what am to do? Miss Fam
shaw has every reason to believe me in
earnest, and in good faith has answered my
letters. 1t is very awkward for me to have
to break off with her, and looks very dis
honorable; but conscience will not allow
me to do otherwise. For, to tell you the
truth, Mrs. Grant, ! do most decidedly
love Miss Edwards. Now, what am 10
do? You are my best adviser
81 have not proved so, ii seems in this
case" said Mrs. Grant. "But it seems 20
me, the straightforward way is the only
honorable way. If you love Lima Ed
wards tell her sos and if she loves you,
marry her-she is well worthy of you. AS
for Amelia Fanshaw, I can answer for her.
She is girl of good sense and fine feeling,
not one to allow herself to fall in love with
a man that she has never seen. In fact,
I'm sure 81 is generous enough to be de-
lighted with the choice you have made"
"I wonder" said Mrs. Grant to herself,
after he had left, "what he will think of
my traightGorwardness, when he comes to
know the part have taken in decciving
him?'
A day or two afterward, DIR. Upton was
| \ al, ,,,. 1,
village, on his return from visit to a
neighboring farmhouse. lie was driving
slowly. and rejecting o , the dubious posi-
ton of his affairs. Did Lima love him?
was the question of all questions that came
uppermost in his thought. He could not
expect her TO love him on so short an ac-
quaintance, though he needed no more
time to make up his mind 10 loving her.
Ho wished he dare muster courage to ask
her the question. Just a, he came to that
wish for the hundredth time, he heard a
door shut, and looking up, beheld the very
object of his thoughts coming out ofSquire
Tuthill's house.
Good morning, Miss Edwards"
"Oh, good morning, DOCTOR" said she
with blush of recognition. "I have just
been calling on Mrs. Tuthill."
"a long walk for you"
at is only two miles, ! believe. Just
long enough for pleasant exercise this inc
day"
"The Fates have sent me along just in
time to drive you homo though" said he,
alighting from his carriage. "Allow me to
help you to your seat"
"Oh, thank you! II will be charming to
drive back" And with bound she gained
her place, and the doctor seated himself
by their SIDE
1t was very awkward. Railways is awk-
ward when two people are left by them
selves, who have something very particu-
lar on their minds that remains unsaid to
undertake to say naturally the common
words Of courtesy. So they were both ST.
lent. After while however, DR.. Upton,
as if ashamed of his pusianimity, cleared
his throat for speech.
"Mss Edwards" said he, I have changed
all my previous opinions about love-"
"How so?'
az used to think il was a plant of slow
growth, but find l was wrong. Expert
ence is the best of teachers. love you"
"On the contrary you ought TO despisc
me-"
He looked at her In amazement. Hei
head was bent down; bushes covered hel
face, and tears were starting from her eyes
lie took her handkerchief, and tenderly
wiped them away. "What do You mean,
Lima ?" he asked.
| fgThat + ar Ina NJ o1l nd hat
have burnt my own fingers with the fire
that have been playing WITH" said SHE
with a burst Of modification. 81 am Anne
liza Fanshaw. There, now let me get out o
the carriage and walk home"
"And whose Photograph was that yor
sent me, them" he asked, as if unable t,
take in the idea completely.
at was Lima Edwards! You see at frs
we took your letters as joke and sent he
picture inciosed in my letter, just to con
fuse you. If you want Lima Edwards Tn
sorry to say you can't have her, for she re-
ceved a proposal ftom one Ralph Chester
Just before came away and accepted it
Do please let me get out y
, Dir. Upton's face cleared up rapidly, a
, Amelia went on with her explanation
When she came to the final plea he burs
, into merry laughter.
"Let you get out? No indeed Do yet
suppose You are to go nnpunished 70
, playing such tricks on poor helpless doc
tori You are my prisoner now. Get n
+ LightfIot r'-and he gaily touched III
, horse with the end Of the lash to accelerat
his speed
, He drove like whrlwind for a Will
4 seeming to enjoy the sensation OF .feelin