Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-08-27

"One moment, beg" lmplored Mr' To-
ly.
Miss Walker came down stairs, also dra-
ped in the classical waterproof garment,
with tAe hood drawn over her head. She
passed Mr.. Toly with downcast eyes, and
slipped out-of- doors. All day had the
dress-maker pondered on her proposal,
and after destroying three replies as unsat-
isfactory, she now held the fourth, ready
to post. Modesty prevented her from Civ
ing verbal consent, and she was far too
wise 10 direct her letter TO Mrs. Skipwelps
house. What, have all the ladies at lunch
con peeping at the envelope in the rack,
and commenting on Mr.. Toly's correspon-
dencoH No, indeedl Mr.. Toly should be
made happy when he reached his office
next morning. Emerging from the house,
she sped swiftly TO the corner letter box.
A carriage waited there, with tall man
| standing beside the open door, Miss Wal
ker felt herself gently but firmly drawn
toward the carriage. She resisted.
"There is nothing to fear, darling" muir
mered a soft voice.
"rm not your darling" retorted Miss
Walker, Indignantly. A shrek rang out
on the air, which brought human head to
every separate window of - Place. Miss
| Walkers would-be abductor sprang into
his carriage and drove rapidly away.
81 don't know what you are talking
about" Lotte was saying, pettishly, to the
enamored vegetarian.
"Lottie, are you tbere?" Mrs Skipwell,
painting and breathless, had put her arm
about the girl. 1--WE got word from Rob
ert. Can you bear ii? He is at the hospi-
tal-only hurt, mind; but we must go to
him directly"
Robert hurt, perhaps dying Lottie felt
as If stunned by sudden blow. Did she
really care for Robert7 She could not tell.
In Mrs Skipwell's room frightened face
was pressed against her shoulder.
"I was about to run away. The carriage
was for me TO go in and marry handsome
rich gentleman"
"God help us all y calculated the land
lady. She kissed Lottie, and put on her
hat for her. Mrs. Skipwell never repulsed
sinners, but helped them out of their
scrapes. In the meanwhile Miss Walker,
rescued from peril by sturdy policeman,
allowed Mr.. Toly to lead her to a seat on
the parlor sofa, while she detailed her ad-
venture amidst many sobs. Afler all,
there is some glory attached 10 being car
rieS off for ones charms, whether willing
or not. 81 was about posting the answer
to your letter." she said behind her pocket
handkerchief. Lottie had made the dress
maker her confidante, then, even as Mr..
Toly had regarded her as a medium of ap-
proach to his divinity. What a sly puss il
was
"Do you really think there is any hope
for me, dear friend? My circumstances
are good 1 would be careful protector.
My age is rather mature, perhaps. Ahem ~
He ventured to take Miss Walkers hand,
in his delight at her ready sympathy. That
young lady suffered her head to decline
gently on Mr.. Toly's shoulder. ~ know
you have great 4nfuence with her." he
proceeded, nervously, not altogether lik-
ing tho situation. "Herr' repeated Miss
Walk err, wbisking the handkerchief from
her face. "Who do you mean?'
"Lottie, of course. know it's foolish,
but l can't help it,
"A man of your age! 1 wonder you are
not ashamed of yourself! The letter was
sc mt TO me-" Thus was the injured lady's
honey turned 10 gall.
"Ma'am! don't understand" gasped
Mr.. Toly. That he did understand was
evident, for every separate hair on his head
stood on end with horror at the blunder he
had made. Would Miss Walker persist in
marrying him?
| inetiGaI,1n a~lil,;tfn, Of
she flung her letter al the culprit, and rush
ed out of the room. MIR. Toly looked
askance at the missive a moment, then
took it carefully between thumb and fore
ii nger, as if afraid it would bite, and de-
posted ii in The fire.
Afterward he went TO dinner gloomily
and deyoured beefsteak abstractedly, fol
which he was rallied by Gen. Gallinipper
Mr.. Toly was in no mood for raillery. He
fixed his eye on his man sternly.
~ met Major Gallynipper to-day" he
said.
"Ah, yes; my cousin," returned the gen.
eral, carelessly.
Pardon me-" said Mr.. Toly, with cut
ting emphasis: "he belongs to the origi-
nal family OF Gallynip3er, spelling the
name with o."
Mrs. Gillinipper sank back in her chair
and burst into tears. The general drew
himself up, and surveyed Mr.. Toly with
withering scorn.
"Sir, the presence of ladies prevents me
from Furnishing you as you deserve fol-
this insult. If you were more of man,
would demand satisfaction. As it is, one
of us must leave this house tonight"
Mrs. Skipwelrs husband, an apparitior
in beard and dressing-gown occasionally
seen gliding through the hall, mildly de-
INJURED at General Gallinipper's PROPOSE
ton of Immediately ejecting Mr.. Toly from
the premises, as the latter was an old board
er, prompt in payment, and his only re-
quirement vegetables without salt. Where
upon the Gallinipper trunks bounced
down stairs in jiffy, and the general de-
parted without settling his little account.
Robert lay white and still on his couch
Lotiie beheld him with qualm Of con-
science. Just in proportion as she feared
losing him in death did his real worth be
come apparent, and she repent of her un
faithful thoughts. Poor, hap-hazard Mrs
SSipwell was guardian angel, after all
She whispered to Robert, who smiled faint.
ly and held out his hand, in which Mrs
Skipwell placed Lottie's. The chaplain
married them. Robert would need wife
to take care of him, declared this landlady
with the clairvoyant gift.
While Mrs. Skipwell was playing thu
part of guardian angel abroad, the CALI
nipper trunks were descending the stairs