Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-18

| light OF his own brief married happiness, he
read the misery in store for his nephew, If
he married Lucia rockingham, a 1irt, ex-
travagaut and selfish. How to save him,
was costing the old man torturing thought.
Active opposition would only strengthen
what was now but boyish infatuntion and
yet saved he must be. Suddenly light
broke over Coleman Burke's face. and he
rose from his chair and went to u long mir
ror in tho room. The reflection was not
calculated to awaken vanity, yet the old man
smiled well pleased.
"If can only carry II out, It will be proof
positive" he thought.
Short, lat, nearly bald, with spectacles,
and n cane, Coleman Burke was certainly u
strong contrast to the tall, handsome young
fellow who had won Lucia for his promised
bride, yet he said aloud:
"Tll cut him OUT"
A week later all the fashionables ut the
c. Hotel, Saratoga, knew that Coleman
Burke was intending to take wife. What
bird first bore the news upon the scented air
no one could have told you, but there was no
lack of Information about the elderly BRIDE
groom in perspective. Everybody Chat was
anybody knew that Coleman Burke had re-
tired from business years before, worth half
million of money, and had made fortunate
Investments since. That he was decked in
fashions latest styles, wore diamond studs
and ring, carried y switch cane, drove fine
team, and occupied expensive rooms at the
hotel, all could SEQ for themselves.
Very soon after ho came, another fact was
patent to all observers he was very at
tentive to Miss Lucia rockingham, the belle
of many seasons.
Mrs. rockingham hoped in her heart that
Lucia would not be u fool, and would re-
member how far Mr.. Coleman Burkes
pockct-book outweighed his nephew's; also,
that an old mans darling was far more apt
to have every within gratified than II young
mans slave. Having delivered this material
lecture, the widow dilated upon the expenses
of the Saratoga trip, and was rather marked
in her emphasis upon speedy subjugation
of the elderly adorer.
And Miss Lucia shrugged her fair sloping
shoulders, threw over them cloud of black
lace and descended to the porch, where Mr..
Burke waited to escort her for drive. His
manner of woolng was certainly more bust
ness-like than sentimental. Where Frank
had grown eloquent over the beauty of the
liquid dark eyes, his uncle dlated upon the
suitability of diamonds for brunette beauty.
Where Frank tendcrly quoted poetry de-
scrptive of the slender grace of the willowy
figure, his uncle thought velvet was the most
becoming wear for slight figures. As they
drove, the fat old gentleman asking her
opinion of his horses, also obtained her de-
scription of the most suitable carriage for a
lady's exclusive use. Likewise he expressed
n contempt for an India shawl folded upon n
seat near the lake, as one far below the
! quality he would purchase to deck lndys
| shoulders.
Sometimes, indeed, rs Lucia informed her
aflcctionate parent. "ho was little spoony,
pressing her hand, and rolling up his pale
blue eyes over the rim Of his spectacles, like
II fat old porpoise."
But rs II rule, he was simply devoted in
constant attention. A boquet of rare flowers
in the morning, followed by u call; n drive
in the afternoon; walk in the evening, or
an offer of escort duty Mt ball, became the
usual daily routine. But the elderly wOoer
was an energetic and persistent one, and
even Lucia, vain of her conquest, was be-
wildered by the rapidity of the counting.
Only fortnight ago, she had but II bowling
acquaintance with Mr.. Burke, and now he
had positively offered n partre of expensive
-cameos for her acceptance.
"A letter from Frank! Coming to-dayw
unused Mr.. Colman Burke, reading an epistle
handed in at his door. Surprised to find
me away from home. Hopes l have seen
his dear Lucia in n kinder light than
the one had previously had. lIem-yes-
well.n
| And so Mr.. Burke mused and muttered us
he donned his most exquisite suit his most
dazzling nccktio, and fastened bouquet IN
his button.hole.
BLESS my soul, iUnco Coleman, what n
swell you are!"
! And then Frank was in the room, and the
two exchanged cordial greetings.
And Lucia?" Frank questioned, sis she
well?n
"She was perfectly well last evening when
| took her for driye"
! "You?n
Certainly. You do not suppose have
failed IN attention to my future niece, do
you?"
"You like her better than you did," con-
tinued Frank, pleadingly.
"See here, Frank" the old man said, sud-
denly wheeling round from tho glass to face
his nephew. "If, within one hour, prove
Lucia false, mercenary, and traitor to her
promise to you, will you give her up? Stop
II she is true, loving and faithful withdraw
my harsh words, and will give hor tho love
/ always hoped to give yonr wife,"
But how can you find out?" said the
young man, astonished at his uncle's encr-
getic proposal
at is you who are TO find out. | am al.
ready satisfied You are to go to the center
window Of the small drawing-room, on the
east porch, and listen to conversation am
TO have, by appointment, with Miss Froth-
ingham."
housekeeping"
"Never mind that grand air of contempt.
1 am to have my way for just one hour, and
you can take yours afterwards Tor lifetime.
Will you goP"
"Ify you say So"
$50, them
just little later Miss rockingham, all
smiles and white muslin, sailed into the cast
drawing-room to greet her elderly admirer.
With an air of deepest devotion no raised
her hand to his lips and greeted her with a
flowery compliment.
81 presume" he said in u low, tender
tone, ''you arc ut no loss to guess the reason
why have ventured TO summon you here.
You must have understood the meaning of
my attentions. Need l tell you how dear
you have become to meP Need speak of
the love you have inspiredP"