Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-03
BRATTLEBORO, VT, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1874

again how entirely my life is yours, and
yours only"
She smiled sadly. "Thero is always hope
in such promises, and would not deceive
you. You will thank me for this some day,
If not now"
OF course Tom protested that he never
would, and avowed his loyalty and devo-
tion, and then, packing his traps, went to
a hotel without n word TO anybody.
When the fact of his departure became
known TO the house the boys were furious,
and overwhelmed Marie with questionings.
Each one missed him in his own peculiar
way, and, az wish, do, that Monsieur Sig
ismond would come back !" greeted Ma
rie's ears many times a day. And she, poor
thing, missed him a thousand times more
and more as the days went on, until it was
no longer any use for her 10 deny to her
self that she loved him almost as much as
she had Pierre. And was she quite sure
that she ought not TO have said ayes" for
the boys sake?
One day Colet came dancing in like a wild
boy. "Oh, maman, I met Monsieur Sigis-
mond to-day, and he asked how the DEAR
beautiful maman was, and about all the
boys; and asked him why he went away,
and he said he didn't want to, and that he
was just dying to come back, but you
wouldn't let him. Say, manan, is that so?
"Maynt tell him he may come back ?"
mo, no, Colet; mother thinks he is very
good, and hopes that some day be will
come back without mothers saying so."
But he did not come aud although Marie
devoted herself to the boys, her heart ached
all the day.
Her old friend, DR.. Lausou, who had
known her and her husband for many
years, and who had always been very fond
of Marie, came in nearly every evening,
with the kind intention of cheering her.
True, she would rather a hundred times
have been alone, but she was too kind TO
appear otherwise than glad to see him. On
one Of these visits the doctor surprised her
| with an Offer Of his heart aud hand a very
sensible, appropriate, and worthy husband,
the world would have said. When he had
finished, Marie pointed to the door.
"Never come through that again with
such a thought or wish in your heart" she
said almost passionately. "I do not love
You; never can love you. You are my
friend l will be frank with you love
Mr.. SjgiSmond."
The doctor bowed an adieu and passed
out. He was generous soul. lie knew
Sigismond. lie went straight to his hotel,
and sent up his card to Tom.
"Glad to see you, DOCTOR" greeted Tcm,
giving his hand cordial clasp.
i've just been and offered myself TO Mad
anne Marquerat," blurted out the DOCTOR
sinking into an easy chair.
"Ah, and am TO offer congratulations ?"
said Tom, in forced way.
ayes, l think you are Mr.. Sigismond. 1
certainly should If stood in vour boots"
YES? Well, and when is the happy
event to come Off"
ANY time you say, reckon" and the
doctor ran his fingers through his sparse
locks.
"I say?-thot's clever. You speak in
riddles. hope the event has not affected
clio ded-dsturbed-your
ayes, l think it has. Madame showed
me the door. She lovos another man, sir-
another man"
Her poor Pierre" suggested Tom
"No, it's live man, and his name is Tom
Tom Sigismond."
"What T. shouted Tom, springing up.
"E-h-h?" responded the doctor slowly.
at is best not to get excited over it. You
can't see herto-night; but ifyou go around
morrow, think you can fix the matter
up and advise you to rush matters. l
know Marie. She loves you, my boy-she
loves you; but she is a proud piece, and il
you give bera chance, she will keep post
ponng the matter TO the hurt of YOU all.
God bless your
And you 100, my dear man!' added
Tom, fairly taking the good doctor in his
arms.
Tom went around "to-morrow." The
boys were all home from school, and Ma
rie stood in their midst adjusting some diff
ficulty.
81 saw Dir. Lauson last night, Madame
Marquerat,' began Tom, putting his arm
about her, while the boys looked on in ST.
lent wonder 1--WE will be married to- NOR
row. he spoke as if an appeal was an ut
ter impossibiity. boys, what do YOU
say for having me for your father?"
"Oh, jolly! splendidr' - they all shouted ;
and seeing the doubtful look on Marie
face. which by intuition they interpreted
began TO plead, "Yes, maman do, Please ~
while Louis, drawing back and folding his
arms, said, with great dignity,
81 tell you what, Mr.. Sigismond, we
think you're tirst-rate fellow, but you'll
have to be awful good 10 mother. I'm near
ly as tall as you now, and I'm well up in
gymnastics"
Hush, hush, Louis r. laughed Marie
waving the entire corps from the room
What happened afterward has happened a
great many times, and the onener II hap
pens the more II battles description.
Next day there was quiet wedding In
the little brme parlor, with only DR.. Lau-
son, one or two lady friends. and the boys
TO witness the ceremony. Toms friends
declared the fellow was a fool. But his
mode Of reconciling them TO his fate was
most etfectual. He invited them TO dine
with him 10 show off his boys, make them
envy him his Marie, and enjoy the mosl
delicious dinners in New York and they
invariably went away confessing that Tom
was not such great fool afler all. Thai
was five years ago; and as an illustration
of the power of example, three out of the
five bachelors have married widows with
daughters, whom they laughlngly declare
shall marry the Marquerat boys. Nous
ueTronS.-HdrpeI's Weekly.
|
Everywhere we are finding traces of the
former Inhabitants of our globe, whose
history is unwritten save in the memorials