Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-06

two brothers kissing each other you are Of
course welcome TO your opinion. In certain
established forms of manliness there is dash
Of snobbism which, on occasions, could be
advantageously dispensed with. Anyhow, O
very tender feeling existed between these
| two brothers, and there was nothing unman-
| ly in their kissing each other at this moment.
Two days afterward Shad presented him
self at the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle at an
unusually early hour.
"Rachel," he said, 'the Bradys have ar
rived, and are now in their tent, setting
things TO order. Pat can't leave his friends,
and he wants you TO come to the Bradys this
evening TO shake hands with them. If you
like, I'll be there at 8 O'Clock to show you the
way"
THANK you kindly, shad," said Rachel,
''I'll be ready for you"
you'll be a happy woman tonight" said
Sbad, in tone Of tender regret, "for says
Pat to me, 'Shad, il Rachel Cary, in the
presence of the Bradys, asks me to marry
her, I'll not hold out moment longer Pve
behaved cruelty to her What do you think
of that, RachelY
'Pats an angel" replied Rachel. "Was l
right or wrong in saying I'd bear no other
name than Mrs Ryley ~
Fright, 1 hope" said Shad softly, as he
took his leave.
He presented himself at 0 o'clock to the
minute, and, arm in arm, he and Rachel
walked from the township to Jackass Flat
1t was a beautiful night, the air was sweet
and before them in the clear sky shone the
Southern Cross
(Which is my star 2" mused Shad, aloud,
lookingup SIS it that one p he pointed to
the brightest in the heavens--"or that p
His outstretched finger traced the swift de-
scent of a star falling into the black chasm
of space.
1T is the bright one," said Rachel.
81 hope So"
"You are full of hopes to-day, Shad.'
"You never spoke truer words, Rachel.
There's the Brady tent"
1t had been set up on an elevation, and
through the canvass walls came the soft glare
of lights.
amy one in p cried Shad
He was answered by chorus of joyful
voices and he and Rachel were cheerily well
coined. She was at home in moment. She
kissed the girls and the mother and shook
hands with the old man, who was brimming
over with pleasant fun, and with Matt who
was almost as fine man as Shad Ryley.
"This is Norah," said Shad, pulling for
ward a lovely lass of eighteen, whose saucy
eyes had already made many a heart ache.
Somehow or other a little cloud came into
Rechers face, for she felt by the side of No
rah she was number two.
but where's Pat z" she asked anxiously.
The centre of the tent was divided by q
green baize.
Here" cried Pat, and at the sound of her
voice Matthew Brady stepped to the parti-
tisn, held it aside and led forth pretty, de-
mure girl, so like Pat that Rachel gazed at
her in bewilderment.
Pat ~ she exclaimed, putting her hand
to her heart.
Patsy, if you please, said Pat Ryley with
a wistful look at Rachel. "Will you forgive
me : 1t isn't my fault that I'm a woman"
THANK God you are one!" cried Matthew
Brady. How could you be my wife if you
were not?"
There was silence for q few moments.
Rachel Carys eyes were fixed on the ground,
her face and neck were covered with bushes.
Patsy stole to her side and put her arms
about her, and when Rachel had the courage
TO look up, only she and the Ryleys were
present. The Bradys had retired behind the
green baize.
You might have told me, Patsy" whis-
pered Rachel
"Ah, but forgive me :" pleaded the girl,
''if it had been known that l was girl, how
could have continued working with Shad
And then my sweetheart was in Ireland, and
didn't want to be pestered with other men.
Say you forgive mel"
And me !" said Shad.
She turned toward him. II he had looked
wickedly or triumphantly at her his chance
would have Been gone. But his love was too
sincere and strong, and she saw that his eyes
were moistened with tears.
I'm keep my word" she said with sigh
of mingled pain and joy. "Tn be Mrs. Ry-
ley"
He caught her in his arms, and almost
frightened her by his violent embrace.
You picked out my star for me tonight"
he said.
Then the three kissed each other all around
again and again, and Rachel was obliged to
confess.to herself that Shad's kisses were in
finitely sweeter than Patsy s.-B. j. FdrjeOn.