Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-03-08

fort and dainty that man, sick or well, was
like. to need, and giving it into Pompey's
hands, bade him follow and point out the
way to Major Plumtree's dwelling. young
negro lad, the majors body servant, who was
summing himself in the porch, ran TO open the
door for us, exchanging friendly grin with
Pompey.
"Your MASTER" said Miss Elinor anxious
ly "how is he can we go up to him at
once 2"
He's jist going out, miss, said the boy.
"Going out Z" cried she, wild with amaze
ment. "Why-why-"
Oar he comes now" said the boy, and,
sure enough, here came the major down the
stairs as bold as a lion, little pale, to be sure
and with his arm in scarf, but smiling all
over his face at the sight of his old fame, to
whom he ran (walking over me without the
slightest notice., and catching her hand,
cried, "Why, Elinor have you come to see
me is this visit really for me !? Say so, and
make me the happiest man in America"
But Miss Elinor, though beaten to the very
ground in her pride, drew back, and looking
the major straight in the eyes, said, 81 came
TO tend a sick man, Sir zee none here. My
father spoke of an incurable wound and com
mon charity twas only trick, then"
With covert smile the major got her hand
in his again, and drawing her to a seat, said,
reproachfully, "Then It's only an incurable
wound you have come to tend, cruel Elinor
not one drop Of pity for q bleeding heart
that word from you could make whole again
Twas only jest-scarcely that, for l was in
poor mood for merriment but such as ii was,
/ thank Heaven that it has brought you here.
Oh, Elinor, question your own proud heart,
and tell me if some feeling more tender than
that Of common charity hath not turned your
tat hfthar ~ 1ox, Dlatr NTH M
Don't you see that love you with my whole
heart and soul, and can any man do more p
Miss Elnor hung her head, blushing deep
ly. But l thought mean l heard-that
you have been paying your court to Miss
Macpherson"
Miss Betsey 7" said the major, laughing
in spite of himself, and fastening his dancing
eyes on her face why, l have scarce thought
of the young lady-an ignorant, forward little
chit and no more to be compared to Oh,
the thing is preposterous!"
"Ah, but she is young" sighed Miss Rlinor;
''and she says that l am disappointed old
maid, and so / am, and she buried her face
in her kerchief.
The fend take Miss Betsey for his own
favorite fire-brand :" cried the major warmly.
Give her the lie, my girl, by going with me
to church tomorrow, and then let me see who
darcs TO give the wife of Major Plumtree any
other name than that of the loveliest of her
sex :"
He was so tender and coaxing that 1 really
thought her the luckiest woman in the world /;
and have a notion that she thought so too,
for, drying her tears on the back of her nit
ten, without remnant Of dignity left in her,
she actually allowed the major to put his arm
about her waist and rest his cheek on the top
of her silk hood unreproved. presume that
they would have sat there an hour or two if a
sudden explosion Of giggles that came from
the window looking upon the porch, had not
betrayed the presence of the negro lads, who
happened to pop their woolly heads in at that
most inopportune moment and who were un-
able to restrain their delight at the charming
scene before them. Of course Miss Elinor
did not go 10 church next day in accordance
with the bold majors proposition-that would
have been ridiculous; but they were married
a month or two afterward, and all the quality
in New York, Wing and Tory, turned out at
| the wedding 1t was beautiful wedding too,
and finer couple l have never seen since
| the major, so big and handsome in his new
red coat and cooked hat. and my sweet Mis-
Elinor pale and lovely under her white
veil Even Miss Macpherson, in victorious
Leghorn hat and feathers just had over from
Paris, was fain to fall far in the rear, pushed,
| trodden upon, and elbowed quite out of sight
| by the unmannerly crowd at the church dooi
| in their efforts to get look at the bride.
| -HaIDe1'S Bdzdr