Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-28
II means Iove-an engagement p,

engagement with Laura! Why she's en-
gagged to mer'
Now 1t was my turn to fall back In a
mazement; only for time, though.
plucked up again very soon.
"Thats bad, doctor, must confess -fo
you. I'm sorry, but suppose Laura ha,
-a-has, In fact, changed her mind"
"Neveri r. shouted the doctor. "False Il
me-never I won't believe II. It's a mat.
ter of gratitude with her. She thinks you
saved her llfe."
$50 did save her life," said l.
indirectly, yes," said the doctor. "Bnt
1t was your fault that the stump frlghten.
| ed Whisker."
And u was my arm and my strength
that saved her from being dashed over the
cliff"
And set your arm and brought back
your strength. saved your life r. said the
doctor.
"Tm much obliged to you," said hold
Ing out my hand to him. II never knew
how to value II before. Come, let us he
friends"
ION one condition." he said-"that yon
leave this place in twenty four hours. I
give you my word, Hodge, that Laura
loves me. She's good hearted, impulsive
child, and has engaged herself to YOU ou
OF pity and gratitude alone"
"Stuff and nonsense r. said I, to whom
all this was not very palatable. "She came
to me Of her own free will, In reply to my
letter, and told me that my love had made
her glad and happy"
Hodge," criedthe doctor, on your soul,
is that true.'
"on my soul and honor" replied seri-
ouslv.
lie turned deadly pale again. There was
an expression OF unutterable rage and grief
in his face.
"Then shall leave this place In twenty
four hours" he said hoarsely. "You are
welcome to herv'
Then lie strobe away, leaving me feeling
rather uncomfortable for time.
The next morning started out early for
walk to the Doctors boarding place. I
was really afraid that he might commit
some desperate act in his grief and disap-
pontment. I felt so sorry for him that /
would have done any thing but give up
my engagement to Laura. met him half
way. To my surprise he was jubiant
His walk was as springy, his brow as clear,
and his voice as CHEEKY as ever.
"Hallo, Hodge," he cried. chow are you?
You look pale. You mustn't overdo your
self, you know"
81 was awake last night with headache,
DOCTOR" I said ; "but 1t Ill pass over I
hope. I was coming to see you abonf that
affair of Yesterday. If there Is any thing
can say"
"rhats all right, Hodge," said the doc
tor at was mistake. was coming
down to see you about It,"
"a mistaken I said, standing still and
looking at him.
"Well, yes. It's ludicrous thing, and
Laura is so sorry 1t happened so am |.
But hope, Hodge, you'll see every thing
In its right light, vou know, when I've ex-
planned the matter to you. II was n mis-
take altogether"
"A mistaken repeated stupidity.
"Yes. You see, 1t all arose from an in.
ferna custom they have of repeating over
lily. There was Lauras grandmother-he
name was Laura Smith, you zee and Lau-
ra's mother was Laura Smith too and by
some queer coincidence the sister of Ian
ra's father was called Laura, after a great
aunt by the name OF Smith and her name
that is the sister of Lauras father-be-
ing Laura, tba. made another Laura Smith.
So when Laura-my Laura, you know
was born, nothing would do but she must
be called Lanra too, and her name being
Smith, there was another Laura Smith.
But, you see, the misfortune of the thing
was that your letter was only addressed to
Miss Laura Smith and Laura-that Is, nv
Laura-and Miss Smith-that Is, Miss Lau-
ra Smith, my Laura's aunt, you see
thought the letter was addressed to her;
and your Laura sent my Laura to tell you
So you are engaged to her, of course, don't
you see, Hodge?"
] was long past seeing or hearing either
/ lay up against log in the road In dead
faint. That story of the Smiths finished
me. Often now, in the spring of the year,
when l feel shaky with my liver, or that
old whirring comes back in my head, there
is noise like "a million of bees buzzing
around me the name of Smith In Its differ
ent varielies-the mother of Smith, the sis
ter's giandmother's aunt OF Smith, the
daughter of the father OF Smith, and so on,
till nearly go mad.
The doctor picked me up and sent for his
buggy, and carried me back to my splen-
did bed with the pink canopy and Lauras
aunt-the one was engaged to by mistake
watched over and nursed me with such
tender care that, when l got well, out Of
sheer gratitude kept to my engagement,
and married her. She was good woman
and nice-looking woman, and was fond
enough Of her to be glad to rescue her from
her abominable name, and give her the
honest one of Hodge.
| never refused her any thing but once.
That was when she wanted to name our
tirst-born after Laura.