Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-29

now SHOCKS cor OUT or TT.
"If you will take my advice" said Mr..
Wilding, making last noble but futile ef.
fort to balance the ivory paper-knife on the
tip of his first finger, you wont go to the
Brownrigs' ball"
And why not 2" asked his companion irri-
tably.
well really wouldn't, you know, " said
Mr.. Wilding, giving up his struggle with the
impossible and laying the refractory paper
knife upon the table-"for variety of rea-
sons. Girls play the very mischief with you,
and you know what trouble it gave me to get
you out of your last scrape. There are four
Browning girls, aren't there ? And they are
all pretty p
II don't see what that's got to do with it, "
said Snooks sulkily There's safety in a
multitude. l can't marry 'em all, can ?"
Happily, no Though, if the laws of
your land did not forbid it, am inclined to
think you might try to accomplish even that.
Still, be advised, Suooks and be conspicuous
by your absence at the Brownrigs small and
early Papa Browning when incensed is not
nice, and you know you are decidedly epris
with Miss Kate"
NO, am not, said Snooks with decision,
mot bit of it. Though l allow she is a
handsome girl and has lovely eyes. Hasn't
she now 2"
II don't know. As rule never look into
a woman's eyes. | consider 1t a rudeness as
well as a 6etiSe, said Wilding earnestly, tell
ing his lie without blush. Never mind
her eyes. If, warningly, "you must go to
this ball at least try to forget that she has
any eyes at all. If you don't, you will pro-
prose to her, to moral.
"One would think l was a raw schoolboy, u
said young Snooks wrathfully. do you
| think l can't look at woman without CON-
mitting myself? Do look like fool ?"
Whatever Mr.. Wilding thought at that mo-
ment he kept it to himself. Before he spoke
next, he and his conscience had agreed to
dissemble.
"AIy dear fellow. do not let us even hint al
such thing" he said amiably. II only
meant that you yere slightly-very slightly
susceptible, and that Miss Kate has a certain
amount of pleasing power, and that posi-
lively would give up this ball if /"
Are you goingi" broke in Snooks impa.
tiently.
We'll, yes, daresay I shall look in about
twelve"
Then I shall look in with you" said
Snooks defantly.
Fact is, the fellow wants to spoon her him
self, and don't see the force of being cut out
he said to himself complacently, as he RAJ
down the steps of Widing's stairs.
Beyond all question the Brownrigs' bal
was decided success. The rooms were
| filed to OVERLOOKING the staircases were
choked, the heat was intolerable. Sir Thom
as and Lady Higgins had actually put in al
appearance after all, and the supper, if uneat
able, was, | assure you, very expensive. Nc
| pains or money had been spared; everything
was what the mistress Of the house called
rug regal and all the Miss Brownrigi
looked as charmiIg as any one could desire.
There were four of them. There was Ka
tie, the second ughter-Snooks's friend
and the possessor of the lovely eyes Anc
they were lovely large, land dark, and true
and tender" like the North, according to the
| Laureate "black as sloes,' said her fond il
slightly oppressive mother, and of the languiC
melting order.
Then there was Hetty the eldest girl, who
| if her eyes were not dark as midnight, had a
least the dearest little nose in the world.
| pure Greek feature, perfect in every respect,
! ignorant of colds in the head that made ont
long to tell her (only she would have blushed
they were all nicely brought up) about Dudr
and her Phidian appendage.
Then came Georgie-"G George the Third,
as she was playfully termed in the bosom o.
her family-who, if she had neither nose moi
eyes like her sisters, had certainly a prettieI
mouth than either. sweet little kissablt
rosebud of a mouth that pouted and laughed
alternately, and did considerable execution.
And finally, there was Lily. A tall pale
girl, with blue eyes, finely cut chin, and {
good deal of determination all round.
Katie's eyes were larger, darker, and (wheI
she looked at Snooks and thought of hi
thousands) more melting than ever that night
Her dress, if slightly bizarre, was intensely
| hanoy,inp GpOoEs ha Grot holf hon
kept himself bravely aloof from her fascina
tions, declined to notice her reproachfu
glances and languishing Giilddes, and for re
ward was wretched Finally, being driver
into a corner during fatal set of Lancers
| he met her eyes, saw, and was conquered
She would dance the next with him? Ye
Ccoldly). And the next Yes (more gently J.
And tho ninth--he can see that she is Olsen
gagged for it Yes Cthis time quite warmly
An hour later the deed was done. Som,
capital champagne, dark avenue Il belev
there were some Chinese lanterns there orig
inally, but kind wind had blown them out
and soft little hand slipped into his did tn
work and Miss Katie had promised bashful
| ly, but with unmistakable willingness, to b.
the future Mrs. Snooks. Whether it wa
Snooks or the property pertaining to Snook
she most affected, deponent sayeth not
When, however her betrothed found wha
he had done, and remembered his fOrme
words, and all the awfulness of parenta
wrath, his heart failed him. He went, as h
usually did when in sorry case, in search o
Wilding; and having discovered him, tool
him into n side room, and shutting the door
confronted him with rather pale face.
$50 the eyes were too many for you, saiC
Mr.. Wilding calmly, after deliberate exam
alton of the disturbed face before him. 60
told you how it would be-"
''Thats the sort of thing any fellow nigh
say" returned Snooks pathetically. 81 did
MT think you would have been SO aggrAvat
ing. And just when you see Tn down OIL
my luck, too. Yesi I've been and gone an'
done it,"
"Mother will be pleased" quoted hi
friend and law adviser with a shrug. $50
by the bye, will be your father They boil
regard nothing so highly as birth. l sup
pose Miss Browning can lay claim to som,
decent breedingl'
'"The old chap is a cornchandler you know
that at least he used to be-" said Snooks
with heavy groan.
'Oh, indeed And very charming busi
ness, too, l make no doubt. Leads up t.
quite train of ideas. Corn, wheat, staff o
life, quaint old MILL and rustic bridge in tn
distance miller sitting on it. l wonder,
dreamiy, ''if Browning ever wore whit
hat? And if so-whyp Don't speak all a
once. Well, well, she is very pretty girl
Such eyes, you know really cOngratulat
you, my dear fellow"
"Wilding," desperately "can't you
something? II don't know how it happen
ed. II was the champagne, suppose, an
of course you know she is pretty; but l don