Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-02-04


the waltz that was just beginning.
"Thank you, but 1 seldom dance round
Dances" she said with a little hesitation, a
flush creeping into her cheeks.
"You will make an exception tonight for
me Z" he pleaded.
~ would rather not make exceptions for
any one, she answered with quaint digni-
ty and Carl liked her the better for being in
n way unapproachable, while he found a sat
isfaotion in the thought that il she did not
waltz him she would with no one else.
So the days went on, and each one was a
triumph TO Mrs Grant-Ferguson. Her plans
prospered famously. The Morleys hirted
with the Howards, Miss Duncan made exquis-
ite sketches Of winter scenery, and any one
who prided himself OF herself on a special
talent had ample opportunity for displaying
1t. They played "Crambo" sometimes OF an
evening" in which Harry Ritter-a poet in a
small way-distinguished himself. Half
dozen young ladies who had brought their
music played it to their hearts content Le-
onora sang divinely, and Tom Cheney was as
devoted to her as even Mrs Grant-F Ferguson
could wish. 1t was whispered that she in
tended to go on the stage and give her voice
and beauty to the public but this she did
not confess.
Finally the company became aware of a
small domestic drama going on in their midst
and watched its progress furtively, but with
out in the least understanding its meaning
The two most prominent men Of the party,
Professor Keller aud Carl Gibson. had appar-
emily devoted themselves to the most insg-
niicant woman, Janet Ayres. In neither
case did 1t seem 10 imply positive love. max
ing. The professor was certainly cool about
it, aud Carl had attached himself to her in
such a matter of-fact style that Janet could
not decide within herself whether it was a
more exclusive attention than he gave to 9th
er women or simply because, being her aunt's
friend he felt a proprietary interest in all
that belonged to her. Mrs Grant Ferguson
herself wes not shrewd. She accepted all in
cense as though burned for her own nose,
though 1t might be at a shrine Of another
Gradually the professor grew pale and dis
traught. He did not join heartily in amuse-
ments, but sat usually by Janet, sometimes
talking, but oftener watching her hands,
which were seldom without some pretty,
feminine work.
did YOU ever see n man so changed 2"
whispered the widow to Carl triumphantly
''If he isn't in love, then I'm mistaken in the
symptoms. I'd give--oh, I'd give fortune
to know il Janet likes him. Qnie, little
mouse she is too deep for me to fathom.
You are a student Of human nature; watch
her and tell me what you think"
Madam" said Carl with an emphasis that
made her start, II must decline taking part
in the affair in any capacity"
Mrs Grant Ferguson shrunk within her
self quite humbly, and did not allude to the
matter again
Carl walked away anathematizing himself
for having shown mere personal feeling in
what she had taken for delicate sense of
honor. What business has "A man to prowl
round girl quoting poetry and talking senti-
ment 2" he said TO himself Then, still more
ashamed for being ungenerous, he ordered a
horse and rode to the village in the face of a
stingng blast, but came back with the evil
demon still unexorciscd.
"Will you join our skating party, Mr.. Gil
son y asked his hostess graciously from the
head Of the table that evening "we can't
allow you to refuse, though you were absent
when the arrangements were made"
Il shall be delighted, Of course" answered
Carl mechanically, casting quick glance at
the side of the table where he overheard the
professor saying in a low tone to Janet,
Skates? Allow me TO sharpen them :" and
do what he would, he could not help feeling
half Disguised. "If the man is in love with
her, why can't he behave like a sensible be-
ing 2" he thought. "Why need he look so
pale and woe-begone She can't be what
believed her, or she would laugh at him." =
"0f course l couldn't trust myself on
skates" the widow continued. 1T would
furnish excellent fun for you, I've no doubt,
but Tn not quite generous enough to give
you that entertainments Professor Keller
has eXtemporized a chair on runners, and
two benevolent gentlemen have agreed to
push me. If get chilled and come home
early, that must not break up the party.
Stay as long as you like, and then come back
to a hot supper"
When they started Carl took the widow in
charge and at the river placed her in the
chair which Dwight and Mitchell, her devot-
ed satellites, were eager TO push. Then he
buckled- on his own skates and started OF
leisurey; for, by the kind Of accident which
in such cases passes for fatality, Janet and
the professor were just in front of him. He
admired her trim, compact figure and clean,
graceful strokes, and then lost sight of them
among the others.
Half an hour after, skating into o cove, he
heard his own name shouted breathlessly
and. turning, saw Keller in hot pursuit. II
wanted to see you, he painted as Carl paused
I've been making up my mind to ask for
advice for some days past You are man
of honor and q man of the world you can
tell me what ought TO do"
"Well suppose we skate along together"
said Carl, surprised at such headlong address.
but what have you done with with Miss
Ayres p
Ou, hhc 10 Will ucE huul ltll Luts Nll-
son: 1 must speak or die" Carl began TO
look with amazement at the excited German.
Suppose you loved woman, the most beau
tiful in the world, and you heard she was en-
gagged to another man, but felt all the time
you could not give her up; what would you
do 2"
Carl was silent "Now is your time, old
fellow" he thought, ''to prove yourself a
man of honor and let him win her II he can"
Then, in husky voice, 'Do you know she
cares for some one else Z"
Herr Gott, no! If 1 did, / should be
mad, crazy. They only say So and she
seems-ah! she seems-to prefer him and
then how can / intrude myself2 / resolve
again and again that 1 will not trouble her,
and then blame myself that did not"
"Well," said Carl slowly ~ should think
the thing to do would bo to ask her whether
the report is true or not. II it is, you have
no more to say if not"
A look of relief visible in the moonlight
came over the professors face. 'Ah that
| is reason, and so simple Thank you, my
friend go at once !" and he darted away.
"Well," said Carl again, ~ should call
that lunacy on skates and here" as he took
his own way down-river rather feebly,-
''here is idiocy."
Not far beyond the next corner he saw a
| figure quietly seated on a log that came
through the ice; it was Janet.
He went up to her ''You must get up at
once You will take cold" he said almost
roughly. "Why are you here2"
''I was only resting. Auntie went home
and insisted on my staying; but 1 think /
shall disobey orders and go back now if you
will take of my skates"
A quick, unreasoning desire came over him
TO take her away before the professor found
her. Before many seconds had elapsed Inc
skates were in his hands and he was by her
| side on the road home.
'Did you see the professor, and did he ask
| your advice 2" she questioned innocently.
"What do you meanT p said Carl, almost
stopping short.
"0h, you think know nothing about it,
she went on with little arch laugh. "Wel,
he came to me first, and gave him my hum
BILE opinion, which he received with the frank