Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-07-02

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"I, aunt Caroline shine in society ?
II"
"You Your ed ducation and talents fit
you for II Elise"
"Ob, aunt Caroline, how can you say IL?
how think it9 Everybody seems TO de-
spise me?,,
ayes, yes, you have got into this absurd
ly morbid idea, Elise. My dear, you will
Just put forth your best attractions, your
best powers, for plenty Of them lie latent
in you, Elise, and win your husband back
to your side. Care for that heartless Lewis
grill No, that l don't believe he does,
Elise. You will enter the lists against her,
child.
1t was bitter counsel. The proud heart
Away finding love proffered 1t, was chafed
TO think of winning 1t from rival. With
her fathers sensitive disposition and the
proud indignation of a slighted woman,
Elise longed to fly far from this world she
both feared and despised, and die. To
hide herself in her old home, and let her
life fade away in the sorrow and pain of
her disappointed love, that was the agree
able plan she had carved out for herself
But at length Mrs. Courtney won reluct-
ant promise from her to become her hus-
bands companion abroad, and to see if, by
throwing aside selfish seclusion, she could
become his wife in love as in name.
SIS ii not wrong, auntie, 10 give my mind
TO this; to make this butterfly existence
still more dear 10 Leon?"
"By his side, Elise, you may lead him TO
higher aims, but your influence must be
felt first. You are driving him from you
now for pleasure, go out to meet kim, and
lead him back"
1t was not the work of day. Old BASH
fulness must be overcme, old interests re-
vived, and new leaf unfurled, but Mrs.
Huntingdon tried her best and little by
little the task became easy. Leon Hun
tingdon awoke one day to the fact that
other people we're talking of his wife's
beauty and talent. Elise was working
faithfully in her task. She could not Law
ish caresses upon her husband, but she
was by mis- side now in every evening re-
union, crushing back her shy terror, CIV
ing smile for smile, and exercising all her
conversational powers. Frequenting opera,
concert, and theatre, she found her fund of
small talk wonderfully increased, while
her own vivid Imagination and power of
expression vivified even the most COM
monplace topics.
The last great crush of the season was al
the house OF Mrs. Holden. 1t was a bril-
liant scene ambassadors with stars upon
their breasts; foreigners of marked dis
tinction; all the world, in short, jostled
each other. 1t was late when Mr.. and Mrs.
Huntingdon entered the crowded rooms.
Elise, richly dressed, her quiet, dignifed
beauty heightened by a becoming attire,
gave one quick glance at Icons face, as
Hiss Lewis, all airy lace and ribbons, float
ed past him. He turned one moment to
foil ow The figure of his old love, then his
eyes fell upon Elise, and a proud smile,
for a moment, crossed his lips. That
matchless face aud form, the soul-lit eyes
and the broad white brow, suffered moth
ing when compared with the empty frivol-
lies of the Insignificant girl. And truth TO
tell, Emily Lewis had become so exacting
latterly that Mr.. Huntington had rather
StdllCu bdCh, Us ut dShGu udh ~
might end in. He would firt away and
think nothing of il; but any serious en-
tanglement no man in the world would
keep clearer of.
Elise caught the pleasant look her hus-
band gave her. a vivid color sprang to
her eyes as she greeted her hostess, more
than one voice WHISPERED "How beautiful
Mrs. Huntington is tonight" Mr.. Hunt
ingdon heard, and kept his place beside
her. One quiver of fear his heart gave as
some OF the foreigners, ablaze with decora-
tions, were presented 10 her. Elise was so
shy, he thought; she would inevitably
turn stupid now. But he was soon reas-
sured. In courteous Difference to their inn
perfect English, Elise spoke few words
of greeting TO the strangers in their own
respective language. Her father had taken
care that she should speak all modern
tongues perfectly. Now French, now Ger
man, now Italian there stood Elise, talk
ing at her ease. People gathered round ;
he was the one attraction of the rooms.
Leon listened with surprise TO her quota
tions from the literature of different coun-
tries, proving how well-read she was.
Miss Lewis pouted; what on earth pos
sessed the men to gather round that Mrs.
Huntington tonight? above all, what
possessed her husband TO stay with her
Jabbering away foreign rubbish like that /!
Miss Lewis could get along in French
(apart from the genders,) and that was
quite enough for anybody except school
-
was made, that led 10 the inquiry: "Do
you sing it, Mrs. Huntingdon"
This was a new terror, but Elise was
stimulated by the proud light in Icons
eyes.
at is long since have sung or played"
she said "but if it will afford you any
pleasure, will try to recall the song"
"Now for a failure" thought Leon, as
they moved to the grand piano. "Out OF
praclice-and perhaps with but little
knowledge Where could she learn to
sing or play in Leahold"
The fingers that touched the white keys
were tremulous at first, but few chords
taught them their old acquaintanceship,
and it was not many minutes before the
sweeping rush Of rapid notes spoke the
proficient. Leon listened with a sigh of
relief
AS the rich voice rose in the opening
words of the requested song, the room
sank to sudden silence. What were Miss
Lewis gay, French airs, her pretty ballads,
to this glorious soul-inspired contralto, as
it rose with the finished cultivation of a
true arlisteH Before the song was over not
a sound was heard in the room but the
singers voice, filling it with exquisite
melody.