Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-17

snalI' tolu NeOrSlana eNactly now tn'
mater stood. She's of age. 1 asked hei
whether she'd marry me without the old
mans consent. Poor girl she was 10 an
awful way. But she did not care TO do that
She shrank from offending her father so
there's no help for 1.-THE things broke en-
of, and I'm not 10 be married, It seems
this time, at any rate"
lie spoke rather sorrowrully, but still
without the slightest trcae Of III temper.
.endeavore1 10 console him In a common
sort OF a way.
He opened a small packet he had boen
holding in his hand.
"This Is pleasant" he said, quietly I;
there All my letters TO Georgiana. Ah and
here is little present gave her, sent back
! TO me.'
There were not many letters. Their con-
tents could guess; little enough like con-
ventional love letters, probably like unec.
static compositions, yet simple and TO the
purpose, aud practical enough. The pres
ent was a rlng-a large diamond, heavily
set In pure gold, just the valuable, simple,
substantial present which could have fam
cied Ned Stone selected for his betrothed.
81 suppose they'll ex pect me 10 send back
Georgiana's letters TO her."
"Undoubtedly."
TITS the usual way when engagements
come TO an end?"
"Certainly; It's tie usual way"
He rubbed his chin and seemed TO reflect
a little.
Have a cigar" he said, presently, "and
let's talk about something else. This Is not
the most agreeable subject in the world.
Tell me what you have been doing with
yourself latey2'
We fell TO talking about this, that, and
the other. Presently went away. AsI
went away, he said quietly: ~ think
shall try and sea Georgiana once more, for
particular reason"
/ did not ask what the particular reason
was, and he did not tell me.
few nights afterward saw him again.
He was at no time subject TO much change
OF mood, or at any rate seldom betrayed
any variation of that kind. But it struck
me that, II anything, he was in better spir-
its than usual.
"You did not MENTION" he said, "what
WIN yOu hhc OlutE Dlkul-luuL NV enR1Xe-
ment was broken OFF,"
81 explained that 1 had not mentioned il,
for particular good reason. 1 had not
seen any person whom it would interest TO
be informed Of the fact.
IT'S just as well, he said; "because the
engagement isn't broken Off; or rather It's
on again."
Indeed I'm very glad TO hear it,"
II told you should try aud see Georgi-
ana again. Well, knew that she omen
went with her father and other relations TO
The Geological gardens on Sunday. So
wen 10 the Geological. i soon discovered
her, with Warren and a lot of other peo-
pie. She saw me, aud understood by nv
sign that l wanted TO speak on the quiet. |
Well, she fingered behind little, and when |
the rest OF the party went TO look at the |
kangaroos, she slipped with me into the |
snake house. She looked a little frighten- |
ed, and tears were standing in her eyes.
$50 put my arms around her-it didn't |
matter TO me who saw, you know-and told |
her there was nothing to be alarmed at, and |
that only wanted TO say a word or two. l |
told her that 1 was sorry had not sent |
back her letters, as 1 ought to have done,
but the plain fact OF the matter was, l
couldn't do it,
You love me still, then, Ned ? she
said.
"'of course do, Georgia. I said, who's
been telling you don'tT
She began crying bitterly.
"'Come Georgia. said, 'let us get mar
ried whether papa likes 1t or not only say
the word.'
"She did't say word. Poor child. She
could not speak for crying, and she looked
at me, and gave me such a little nod, and
then she began laughing through her tears.
1t was the prettiest sight you ever saw. or
course kissed her and then I turned, and
" no should be standing close by my side
but old Warren.
Georgia gave little scream, and then
tried to make believe that we were looking
at the boa constructor. But OF couse that
didn't work, SO said to old Warren, in a
CHEEKY sort OF way, and putting out my
hand cheerfully, 'Mr. Warren, Georgia aud
I are going to be married that's quite set
lied. But you and may as we'll be friends
all the same. We'd much rather have your
than not. Suppose you give 1t to
lsF
"He was 30 astoniShed that before, 1
-hink, he knew quite what he was doing,
he'd taken my hand, with all his friends
'ta nding around and looking on. or course
40 could not go back after that. And-and
'o-the thing was settled"
1 congratulated him heartily. Presently
said, by way OF change:
"How lucky 1t was that you didn't send
pack Miss Warren's letters"
my dear fellow, that was what want
ID to explain TO her; couldn't send them
pack"
"You found them too dear to your
Al last then he had been betrayed into
ceiling of romance.
"Not at all, " he exclaimed; ''I could not
endthem back, because hadn't kept them.
destroyed them"
"Destroyed themH"
"Yes, what was the good OF themf on
y keep business letters they're regularly
locketed at my office. But for Georgla's
elters, they were no use. made them in
o pipe lights"
"You didn't tell her that -
"No-I hadn't time. never arrived at
n explanation about the letters"
"Then, my dear Stone, let me entreat
ou whatever you do, don't give Miss War
en- your explanation about the matter"
"Why shouldn't II"
Don't you seer She thought you didn't a
end back her letters for a sentimental rea- q
on, because they were so dear to you that