Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-09

nt one end OF the round table, while Mary
sat at the other sowing. Between us was a
lamp with q green paper shade. Now and
then big bug would fly into the window and
go humming about our heads, or moth
would try to singe It's wings over the chin
noy, and | would drive it out The old peo-
pie would 10 to bed after n while, and then
Mary and would find ourselves hungry, and
she would go into the kitchen to find "some-
thing good" / always held the light for
her. And when something good was found
we ate il in the back porch, sitting side by
side on the step like two children.
She was SO like n child, that little Mary,
that It seemed no harm TO ask her TO kiss me
good night, or 20 hold her hand in mine, as
it rested on my arm in our long walks homo
from church on Sunday evenings.
Tho summer passed October came. An
gelina returned to the city and wrote TO me.
1t was while we we're eating peaches and
cream on the back porch that evening that
said to Mary 81 will tell you secret, IL you
will keep it for while, Mary"
ooh, of course will, Mr. Mactaggert."
81 am going TO be married this autumn,
Mary" l said. ''These pretty letters you al
ways thought came from my sister are from
the lady who is to marry ME. She is very
beautiful very rich, very stylish, but very
kind. You must come and see us, Mary,
when we are married. l shall tell Angelina
how good you have been to me-what sw eet
little sister found out here, in the Vale of
Cruix. Why, Mary"
For, as / spoke. felt the little hand held
grow cold and heavy in mine. saw her sink
backward. The big china bowl Of peaches
and cream slipped with q crash TO the ground
and shattered to pieces.
l caught the poor child in my arms. In a
moment she came to herself, and said she
had over-tired herself, she thought. They
had been baking all day, and it was warm.
And now she bade me good night. But l did
not see her next day, nor the next. She kept
her room, and was not well enough TO bid me
good bye.
Poor little Mary 1 felt very miserable.
However, Angelina met me at Glasgow. She
was more beautiful than ever,-more elegant
in contrast to my simple country friend,-
and very soon l laughed at myself for the
thought that had been in my heart. OF course
/ said it was the baking that had overcome
Mary-it was not my news. l had only been
to her as friend-as a brother. had not
made love to her above all, had not flirted
with her. But l thought of Mary great
deal, and missed her every hour exactly
oh yes, exactly-as l might sister.
l wrote to Mrs. Stevenson, and her answer
was very brief.
II haven't much time to write" she said
IN ner pObtcflpt. MARY is SICK, ana besides
being driven l am anxious"
This letter was in my pocket on that day
when Angelina and l went together to the
bazaar for the benefit of the church of st.
Matthew. After we had roamed about the
bazaar and bought all sorts Of knick -knacks,
/ escorted Angelina to a seat, and there sat
down to wait while one of the ladies, who,
ION this occasion only" was doing good,
onerous, hard work, brought us a tray of re-
freshments.
As we sat there slipping our coffee two
women sat down at the next table with their
backs to u.s.
81 am very tired, are you not, Mrs. Rus
sell 2" And the other answered:
"Yes, am tired. 1 don't think It is worth
the while TO come all the way from Vale of
Cruix TO Glasgow Sightseeing"
This was the voice of Stevensons nearest
neighbor, and / liked her and respected her,
yet did not feel quite sure how Angelina
would like an introduction, and so refrained
from looking round and making myself
known.
II think we'd better have tea," said the
voice. Its more refreshing than coffee. Oh,
how is Mary to-day? Think of my never
asking before 2"
MARY is poorly" said Mrs. Russell. "Oh
Mrs. Cullen, what a pity it is that flirting
young minister came down to Vale of Cruix.
l don't know what Mrs. Stevenson was about
to let him do as he did. We all thought he
was courting Mary. She did, poor child.
She just loved him dearly. And the day be-
fore he went away be told her he was engag-
cd to some girl in Glasgow. I'm afraid it's
broken her heart. She told me all about it.
oh, Aunty Russell, she said, 1 know
ought to be ashamed, but l can't help it. He
seemed to like me so. l hope shall die Of
this fever, for life is nothing to me- Asham-
ed Why it's he who ought to be ashamed.
OF all the things, a minister TO be cold,
cruel flirt, and that is what Hugh Mactaggert
is"
listened, but could not move or speak.
felt as though my heart was breaking, and
oh, the time suffered The women drank
their tea and left, and then Angelina turned
to me with cold, sarcastic smile.
II see by your face that that little story is
perfectly true, Mr.. Mactaggert, she said
Angelina, faltered, 81 have done moth
ing which should give offense to you"
Nothing but love another woman" she
answered. 'Love her and let her see it,
meaning to marry me. Don't think l am
hurt indeed am relieved should have
kept my word TO you, but for this but not
so gladly as 1 once should You are a very
good-looking man, but on the whole you
don't suit me, met Mr.. S. at Millport, and
| nc uOtb rIduAl1i uhNe pSen tulnhluB
what pity it was that must decline his of
fer AS for this-Mary, is it not Wouldn't
she make a very good minister's wife 2"
1t came to my mind that she would-that
she was the only wife for me that Angelina,
| splendid as she was-would never have made
me happy.
But only said, "Mss Melville, If you de-
sire to have your freedom, have no choice.
II desire it greatly" she answered.
'It is yours" l said, with bow.
After that think we were both happier
than we had been for days, and shook hands
when we parted.
That night went up to the Vale of Oruix,
and told Mary that my marriage was brok-
| en- of, and that she was the only woman
had ever loved. She tried to summon up her
pride and refuse me, but failed in the at
tempt and let me take her to my heart. To-
day am pastor of the church at the Vale of
Cruix. Mary is my wife, and we are as plain
and quiet pair as you could fancy. l even
| help my wife pick eurrants for the tea, and
have taken turn at the garden when help
was scarce. But l do not envy Mr.. s. his
wife, nor pine for the luxurious possibilities
that l lost with Angelina. Mary and my lit
| tie home content me.
But one thing is on my conscience. have
never been able to ask myself the question,
'Did firt with Mary If not, what was it p
|
"A million of dollars in our gold coin
weigh 3,6s5.7l pounds avoirdupois, and a
/ sIito, ekandow1 5oIIor. L., o,,. stIyar oos,,