Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-06-07

your table
Twenty three So he is. And if he
wants to marry a beggar, and she is good,
yirtuous girl why notY'
A little gasp Of horror and dismay was the
only answer Of which Mrs Mnyberry was ca
pable.
Grandpa"
Winnes voice was so low that Mr.. Will
mington only just heard it, and when he look
ed up he saw the girls crimson cheeks and
her lovely, dropping face.
Yes. Winnie, you want to tell me some
thing -
She went up behind him. and leaned her
hot cheek carelessly against his, her sweet,
low voice whispering her answer
Grandpa, want to tell you something l
Mr.. May-we- Ernest has asked-he-
wants me-to-oh, grandpa, can't you tell me
what it is Z"
He felt her cheek grow hotter against his.
He reached up his hand and caressed the
other one
Yes, can tell, dear Ernest has shown
his uncommon good sense by wanting you for
his wife. So that is what comes Of that din
ner, ch, Winnie =
And may tell him you are willing, per-
fcctly willing, grandpa Because l do love
him. You k uw."
And are You sure it isn't his money you are
after. eh -
She did not take umbrage at the sharp
question
II am at least sure it isn't my money he is
after grandpa she returned laughing and
patting his check
Yes, you are at least sure Of that there.
| hear the young man coming himself. Shall
CO. Winnie -
1t was the young man himself" Ernest
IL, L. a..
his face as he came straight up to Winnie
and took her hand, then turning to the old
gentleman
Until an hour ago | thought this would be
the proudest happiest hour of my life, sir,
for should have asked you to give me Win
ME for my wife Instead | must be content
to only tell You how dearly love her, and
how patiently and hard | will work for her to
give her the home which she des,rves-be-
causc Mr.. Wilmington. this morning the
house Of AIaybcTy * Thurstou failed, and
both families are brggars.'
His handsome face was pala, but his eyes
We're bright with determination and brave
ness nothing could daunt
Winnie smiled upon him, her own cheeks
paling.
Never mind. Ernest, on my account 1
can wait too.
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were almost shut
beneath the heavy fruwning forehead. and
puzzled look was ON his shrcwd old lace as
he listened
Gone up. ehy Well That's too bad You
stay here and tell Winnie am just ~ willing
she shall be your wife when you want her, AS
If nothing had happened, because believe
you can earn bread and butter for both Of
You and my Winnie is contented girl. I'll
hobble up to the Office and see your father
he and | were boys together word Of sym
patty won't come amiss from me-
And of he strodc. leaving the lovers alone,
getting over the distance in remarkable
time, and presenting his wrinked, weather
beaten old face in Mayberry Il Thurston's
private Office, where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone,
with rigid face aud keen troubled eyes. that.
nevertheless, lighted at the sight of his old
friend
Pm glad to see you. Wilmington Sit
down The sight of a man who has not come
to reproach me is u comfort"
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit down.
lie crossed the room 10 II table at which
Mr. Mayberry sat among hopeless array of
| papers.
There is no use wasting words, Mayberry,
at time like this. Did you know your son
has asked my Winnie to marry him.
Mr.. Maybery's face lighted second. then
the gloom returned.
If my son had fortune at his command
as | thought he had yesterday at this time,
would say. God speed you in your woOing Of
Winnie Wilmington. As it is, for the girls
sake, disapproye.'
so you haven't pound over and above,
! ell, Mayberry -
There will be nothing-less than nothing.
l don't know that | really care so much for
myself, but Ernest it is n terrible thing to
happen to him ut the very beginning of his
| career.
Mr. Wilmington smiled gleefully. Good
| Neither do l care for myself. but for Winnie
my little Winnie. l tell you what, Mayberry,
! perhaps you will wonder if l am crazy. but
| I'll agree to settle a quarter of million on
| Winnie tlfe day she marries your boy. And
! I'll lend You rs much more if it'll be of any
use and I'll start the boy for himself, if you
| say so. eh -
Nlaybtrry looked at him in speechless be-
| wilderment.
Wilmington went on: Il made a fortune
out i'll India and its safe and sound in hard
cash in good hands-a couple of millions
determined 10 bring up my girl to depend on
herself and to learn the value of money be-
fore she had the handling of her fortune.
She has no idea she's an heiress Sounds like
a story ont of book, eh, Mayberry. . Well
will you shake hands on it and call it bar
gain: :"
Mr.. Mayberry took the little dritd-up hand
almost reyerentially, his voice hoarse with
thick emotion.
Wilmington, God will reward you for this,
| maybe a Thousand fold.
Wilmington winked away a suspicious mos-
ture ON his eyelashes
You see it all comes of that dinner, old
fellow. You acted like a charitable Christian
gentleman, and between us Wen make the boy
and Winnie rs happy AS they deserve, eh -
And even Mrs. Mayberry admits that it was
IA good thing that her husband gave that din
uer, and when she expects to see Mrs. Ernest
Alayberry an honored guest at her board, she
candidly feels that she owes every atom of her
splendor and luxury to the viOlet-eyed, charm,
ing girl who wears her honors with such
sweet grace.