Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-23
The Leisure Hour.
THE DOVECOLORED SILK.

IbE nv E-tCLOhED SILh.
BY kind Of thoughtful arrangement on
the part Of their employers, every domcs-
tic in the house Of Sir John Dayton, baro-
net and banker, received his or her salary
one week before Christmas Day.
Very bright and tempting looked the IL
ny pile Of sovereigus that Lottic Warde,
Miss Dlyton's own maid, carried away 10
her chamber, aud sat meditating over, with
a cloud on her pretty face such as it seldom
wore. Last Christmas the spending of her
money had cost her no trouble, except a
quickly stfled regre, that She could not do
more with it for those dear ones, whose
kisses and joyful thanks had been such
pleasant requital of her generosity.
Although she was as dutiful and loving n
daughter and as kind sister as OF yore,
there had been an event in Lottie's life
since the year began that was closely con-
nected with the impatient sigh she gave, as
she sat gazing at her gold, aud abstractedl v
turning 1t over and over in her palm. She
had met at the house of an old friend of
her late father, a young man who was so
well connected tnat many wondereu ne
should think of wedding girl who was
''in service" Mr.. Charles Morrison, they
argued, with his good prospects aud excel
l0nt situation in the Office of Smthson
Brothers, ought to look higher for a wife
than Loltie Warde, whose ia her had died
bankrupt, and whose mothers sole depend
ence was the annuity some of Mr.. Warde's
compassionate creditors had purchased for
her. But if Charlie Morrison heard these
things hinted, he laughed and forgot them.
He loved Lottie for herself-her sweet tenn
per, her good principles, and the pretty
face and figure, that were always set of by
tue perfect neatness and propriety with
which she dressed.
Lottie, however, had taken to heart ma
ny of the remarks made in her presence or
told by ll-natured friends, and had rather
hastily decided in her own mind that the
relatives of her afIianced husband loo k ed
down upon her because of her position.
This iancy-for it was nothing more-had
made her shy of meeting them, and un-
willing to accept the invitations so kindly
sent to her. But Charlie had made point
of her accoding TO his parents wish that
she should join the family party they al
at Clapham on the eve of the great festival;
and as Miss Dayton had cheerfully con-
sented 10 spare her, she had not been able
to excuse herself.
| Naturally timid and shrinking from
strangers, Lottie looked forward to this vis-
ii rs an ordeal rather than pleasure. She
was TO be introduced to Charlie's married
slster'from Manchester and to the wealthy
uncle from whom he had expectations
and her anxiety that they should think
well of her eliminated in the inquiry,
"What shall wear?"
1t was no use discussing this question
with her beirothed. She knew he would
say that nothing could be in better taste
than the well-fitting dark merino that had
been her best dress since the commence
ment of the autumn. But Louie had her
share of girlish vanity, and as she raised
her eyes to her looking-glass a vision rose
before her of certain dove-colored silk in
a mercer's window near St. Pau's thai
would become her admirably. 1t was true
that such an expensive purchase would alb
sorb every farlhing in her possession, but
she chose to ignore this. So strong grew
the temptation that when LOttie went thai
evening to visit her mother she fingered
long at the mercer's window, and decided
that on the morrow the dove colored silk
should be her own.
The children threw down their bo ok anC
toys when Lottie entered, for they loved
her dearly, and Mrs. Warde, though she
had been wearing very anxious face, as
she stitched busily at some childish gar
ment, contrived to smile at her eldes
daughter, who, however, was not easily de
ceived.
something has gone wrong, mother;
am sure of it by your looks. What is it p
Nothing you can alter, dear; nothing
In fact, that l ought to dwell upon. l heard
by chance, that the man through who's
roSuery your father failed has returned t.
England, and is in prosperous circum
stances, and 1t worried me for little Will
7 to think that my excellent, upright hus
; band went down 10 his grave in sorrow ant
poverty, while this dishonest man hold
up his head and grows rich but it was on
ly Tor minute, child !" and Mrs. Ward
smiled now with less effort. "I know I
5 whom have committed my cause, and
a will not murmur at anything He Wills"
Lottie kissed the placid speaker affeC
; tionately, but she was not as sympatheti
! as usual. Her little sisters hung about bel