Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-11-19
svas,a NO. AZ.
Romaneeof the Rail.


lion she is not likely TO surrender as long
as they travel together. A tall brunette,
with sharp face, piercing black eyes, hair
black as a ravens wing, a long aquiline
nose with mole on the side Of it, a mouth
the cut OF which beiokened determination
and force. She had passed the shady side
Of her teens and had climbed 10 Tue apex
of quarter Of q century. lie was gnile-
less youth over whose tow -colored head
some eighteen summers had passed, an In
nocent hobbledehoy, just released from his
mothers apron strings. On him she cast
loving glances, and his face, suffused In
bushes, was turned with a timid, appeal
ing look Ia. her.
The car was crowded, and eligible seats
not easily obtainabe. About the middle
of the car a sedate traveller occupied a seat
to himself Thither the irrepressible lady
pressed her way. The sedate traveller rose
and with much courtesy invited her TO take
a seat next TO the window, and when sho
was. seated he calmly ensconced himselfup-
on the vacant half of the chair. By this
time the young man whom she was escort
ing had come up. He placed his hand on
the back Of the seat, looked appeallngly on
the face of his protectress, and timidly
around the car. He was evidently enibar-
rassed, and did not know what 10 do with
himself The sharp nosed brunette eyed
the sedate traveller by her side with a sharp
ness that almost amounted to malignity.
But the traveller seemed all unconscious
of the scrutiny TO which he was subjected,
aud looked away over the fields through an
opposite window.
The brunette could no longer endure 10
see her callow beau standing forlorn, and
thus she addressed the sedate traveller,
whose eyes were wandering far away, and
whose thoughts were with the dear ones at
home.
"I say, stranger"
"well, say on" responded the sedate
traveller.
az say, look here, stranger"
"well, what have you got to slow mef'
said the sedate man.
"Stranger want you to know that this
young gentleman standing up there is my
feIIer."
"ohI Pm glad 10 hear il. How long
have you had him7 Take care of him
| supposeT
"Now you just look here, stranger; this
| young man is my feller, and am bound
10 see that nobody shall impose on him.
| You hear met Now if you had any man
ners you'd just get right up and let him
have a seat by me-"
"Oh, AM very happy in your society.
You cannot imagine how much pleasure it
has given Inc 10 furnish you with seat
| where you can SEE through the window.
Besides 1 always took a special delight in
being near charming ladies like YOURSELF"
replied the sedate traveller.
"But, sir, he is my feller, sir, my beau
| do you understand?'
| "Is that so? Who would have thought
| ii? And does his mother place him under
| your protection when he goes abroadf"
Snow, you look here, stranger, me and
that young man expects to be engaged, and
we've been keeping company together, and
me and him wants to have a talk together,
and you are real mean if you don't give
him seat by me, SO that we can talk; that's
what think.'
The imperturable traveller Strengthened
up, then leaned over in the direction OF the
sha arp-eyed brunette, smiled most benignly
and lovingly on her, aud thus spoke:
''Charming lady, would be most happy
to accommodate you. but you see In pill
grim and stranger, way worn and weary,
and long way from home. Besides, my
heart is just now beating tattoo of ecstat-
ic satisfaction because of your charming
presence. Being a bachelor, and so near
one so lovely and engaging, how can fore
go The pleasure 1 now enjoy? 1 have had
dreams in my time-bright dreams-as 1
have wandered through this great big
world. OF some time meeting one TO whom
could reveal all this sad heart OF mine
would fain no longer conceal. You are the
impersonation of my dreams, and now
would you drive me from your lovely side
Say, has no bird sung in your heart saw
you come as the star rises in the horizon,
and the light Of your eyes has illumined
my soul. Say, beautiful stranger, will you
drive me hence?
The sedate traveller ceased TO speak.
The FIRE had gone down in the brunette's
eyes, the severe expression had vanished
from her face, her stern lips had relaxed
their rigldity and parted just enough TO re-
veal the ivory structure within, and in a
tone that was soft and low she asked:
"Dld you say you was bachelor I"
"Aye, beautiful stranger, that's my fort
unate station"
Then the brunette turned her eyes softly
upon her "feller," who stood twitching his
fingers and gazing around in an abashed
timld sort of way, and thus she addressed
him:
''Tom, Iguess you'd better gil another
seat, while speak with this gentleman."-
81. Lake Herald. F ..r.