Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-10-09

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Ing most unexpectedly. For some weeks
the tall young miller had looked forward
to the time when no might find himself
making love tn Rachel by slow and gradu-
al approaches, which he rehearsed in fancy
as he sat In his den In the mill, with the
hair tumbled about his forehead, and a
book before him-probably upside down.
1t had turned out exactly contrary to his
anticipations. lie had forgotten his hard
headed prudence and discretion, and rush
ed upon his fate. There were ecstatic
thrills mixed up with conflicting emotions
At moments he was fatuously spooney,
| and most unreasonably happy in the assur-
ance thai Rachel loved him, an awk ward
red-faced, blunt fellow there we're other
moments when, spite OF all he could do,
mist Of doubt stole over his heart. Edwin had
not superstitious hair in his hoad, but he
could not help asking himself what it was
that had stolen with such blighting influ-
ence over the life OF this young girl, who,
come what might, was to be his wife.
The men at the mill remarked that
| "young boss" was not himself that morn
ing. lie made mistakes in the accounts,
and ordered a new brand Of -four put into
the wrong barrels, and then relieved him
sef by berating the hands soundly for their
| stupidity. Before noon he had sent word
up to the house that he was going TO ride
to Brax ford on business, and need not be
looked for until late hour in the evening.
Mrs. Huntly stood before Huldah, who sat
by the window, where a blooming spirea
made pretty snow -drift, altering her old
brown silk into new fashioned pOlonaise.
lluldah was fresh and youthful copy OF
her mother; at the age OF the deacon's
widow she would have the same amiable
pouter-pigeon expression.
"She won't come down to tea," said the
good woman, with a triangle of perplexi-
ty in the middle Of her forehead, "and
she's crying her eyes out, and trying to
starve herself, expect. Isn't 1t enough TO
have things walk out Of the house without
hands or feet1 I've been Il housek eeper
going on thirty years, and never felt called
upon to keep stitch Of any thing under
lock aud key. But It will teach me les
son, and ] shall think twice another time
before | take stranger into my family"
Mother" said Huldah looking up, ait
might not be the end, II Rachel went away.
DO you know, think Edwin has tax en-
great fancy"
"Well, what II he hasH" coood Mrs.
Huntly, with charming inconsistency. "I
could fall In love with the little thing my
self II 1t wasn't for this. Edwin isn't
fool; he has got your fathers good hard
sense"
Edwin was riding home along tho creek
road amer midnight, and the moon was
shining down full and large. 1t was bright
ms day. Dew lay on the still flowers, and
whiffs OF fragrance aud freshness came
from the grassy fields. Edwin was think
| ing of Rachel, so that she seemed every
where present to him In the calm still
beauty of tho scene.
a turn OF tho highway brought him with
In sight OF the new railroad and the dizzy,
dangerous spot where a half finished bridge
spnnncd the gorge. The place was jagged
with rocks, deep and wild, and in the night
looked like black chasm opening down
| TO the centre OF the earth, with the swirl
ing and rushing Of hidden waters. The
slender supports OF timbers were like mere
threads stretching out over the gully.
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u'ou'u"' E"oe' s.o'S, "nen Tue nAPIy 10"
whistle died on his lips, and he reined in
his horse with a sudden jerk.
Was he awake or dreaming7 There was
something on tho bridge, something white
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c"'ne r'sn' ON, win lha' "ohueriui AIRY
no'ion, over INC dangerous uihDers. An
error oi ha'I ah ihch 10 rlsnt or le"' ana
ue"'n Wouiu nave oeen s"i'' anu sure but
tue hght garment just waved III ana out
apou' 'ne S'Ia'' ieet' ""u 'hooh'ign' shohe
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"D1 $50
,ha w.ii hotroon sornot trae. nit s,oIa
sto,thjlv ,nor hor On and an sho Won,
with the motion OF a spirit over the damn
m meadow-grass, until she came to the edge
or an abandoned .gravel-pit. Down tho
side OF this place she clambered nimbly
and laying her bundle in the bottom OF the