Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-16
tFrom All the Year Round.l
THE HOUSE ACROSS I'IfE STREET.


story IN Nv" "Nh"pt"FH'
-.
In ~
1t was carly spring. There was n soft
balmy feeling in the air. The bare branches
of the almond-tees were dotted over with
tiny rose-colored buds, few brave primroses
were thrusting up their pale yellow blossoms
out of the dark brown mould. Women were
crying "Hyaciuths ~ in the streets, and
tempting passers-by with baskets heaped with
their tall, oderous clumps of white and pink
and creamy bells. There were birds twitter-
ing in the square, and stir of new life and
freshness all through the world but Mr.
Robarts was not so well. He had been con-
fined tothe house for several days and went
over to sit with him one afternoon, so that
Magdalen might get out for little fresh AR.
You won't leave him till come back,
she said, lingering even after her bonnet was
on. Promise me, Doctor. He is so disc
bedent to orders that he is not to be trusted
by himself; but if you"
Yes" ! said, II will stay don't be afraid
I can promise you that or anything else that
You ask" The exceeding lovelincss of her
face had struck me even more that day than
usual. could not take my eyes off 1t till she
was gone; and then AS | turned back to her
father, met his fixed on me. They were
keen gray eyes and in their hard scrutiny |
read that which told me without any words
that something in my face or tone had betray
ed me, and that my secret was no longer my
own Well, | had naught to be ashamed of,
and after the moments shock l was man
enough TO meet his gaze fully and calmly.
He was silent for little and then said
II have just found out something. Do
you know what it is, DIR. ElliottF'
Il think so. Isn't 1t that there are more
fools in the world than you were aware of
few moments back: You have discovered
that l care for your daughter. / have known
it myself for some time back but what does
1t matter | hoped 10 one would ever guess
it; and, after all, it is not my fault.
To my unutterable surprise he put out his
hand to me, smiling.
what is not your fault? To tell you the
truth, 1 have once or twice before suspected
your feelings for Magdalon; and am glad
you have owned it. You call il folly, though.
In what way :"
'Only that it is folly for any man to stake
his whole heart on something he has no hope
of winning"
Hem! You are modest; or-may | ask
if Magdalen has already convinced you OF the
hopelessness of your affection =
Il have never much as limited at its ex-
istence to her. should have thought you
knew me well enough for that, MIR. Robarts.
Indeed fancied that you
Wouldn't nave heard OF IL wen, 10 De
frank with you, when the idea first flashed
across my mind, 1t startled me; but have
thought 1t over since then; and don't mind
telling you that, If l We're TO give my child to
any man. | would rather 1t were You than an
other.
was struck dumb with astonishment. He
smiled again and went on;
1T Is simply thls-l know YOU You are
an honorable and kind-heHrted man be
lleve you are IN position TO Keep her III the
style she mas been accustomed 10 ana also
that, if she We're your wife, you would be
Sood ana lalIhiul 10 heT' Am l riBh' OF hot
rose and answered Well, well, what
do the words matter now But must have
made my meaning plaln at any rate Tor he
pre ss.d d my hand kindly
There you are good fellow Doctor and
believe you. There is one stipulation, how
ever Whlch must MAKE VIII you agree 10
1t p
You have been so wonderfully generous
to me, Mr. kooarts, mat 1t would Dc h"rd II
did not agree to anything you asked
Don't take my child from me, then.
have fancy am not here Tor very long I;
bnt l could not i've without hcr' 1ou Will
promise me :"
l knew she would not have LETT Inn but
promised NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Thank you and-dont say anything to
her yetawhle. do not believe That she cares
toi you "' liesoh,, VI az "ui ~,
for her, or would not ask III but oVerhaSti-
ness might only upset her peace ana damage
your own cause. Leave me alone 1oT awhile.
1 assented ana me"h%hle l wiz 'eh you
what did. set to work 10 peautiy ana mare, re-
furnish my ngly oid house from sarrs1 re; 10 3i Ger
lar; ana got together PICTURES ana oIu emma;
ana quaint oTaSISsi fs ana cunhng ittSIaae aava