Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-10-06

My mother had forbidden my speaking to
Bill, and as for my sister Maria, her whole
heart was set upon my chances with the mill
er These chances were fast verging to prom
ise the tender green of spring had ripened
to the full form of summer, and now the
goden-rods and asters began to bloom upon
the river-banks went down that way to
gather the gay flowers, and kept them but
day or two, when l must needs go for more.
l was seldom alone in my idle straying the
young miller had good help, and could always
fling off his dusty coat, and shake the powder
from his curly hair, and help me to squander
an hour or two. There was a certain bank
that overhung the stream in easy sight of the
mill There the underbrush was thick about
US, and the heat of the sun was tempered by
a wonderful wicker work of leaves aud branch
es the birds sang there soft and low and the
water went ripping by. The miller was a
fine handsome fellow to look upon, with laugh
ing blue eyes and a womansh winning mouth
that was ever dropping coaxing words of fiat
terry and love- l could almost have been lur-
ed into forgetfulness of the past, and drifted
on with the delight of the sweet summer days
and their fair surroundings, had l not always
been driven back again by some evil remind
er. 1t came in the shape of the wild, dark
face so familiar to me, that seemed invisible
to everything and everybody else. l could
| thicket, and moved away many time from
the miller and trembled until it was gone.
Aud often the guide-boat of Billy Byles would
| dart out before US into the stream, and though
| he neither looked nor made any sign, it was
enough to know that he was watching and
waiting for Heaven knew what. l began to
wish that whatever he was plotting he would
| do and have done with it. The awful dread
and suspense poisoned the happiest moments
| of my life; and besides, through it all 1 was
| so sorry for him. My heart was all tender
ness toward him, even though he should muir
der me. as he had sworn to do But l could
not get strength to put away those moments
of rest and consolation with the young miller.
Mine was a nature that yearned for soft words
and caressing, for distraction from homely
cares, and truth to say, for the hattery and
aduation that had given me such a feverish
thirst ever since l had learned was beautiful.
Life was so pitifully short, and beauty SO soon
on the wane
But a day came, like other days, without
warning of any kind The sun rose in the
morning, the cocks were growing and flap
ping their wings, the cows chewed their
cud. Breakfast was prepared and eaten and
cleared away, and scarce were one set OF
dishes put aside when another must be
brought out. Ste wing and baking and all the
hot routine of a MONDAY meal must be pur-
sued, and when at last this was done, long
overland seam must be finished. And yet
this was called an idle day, when l could hope
to reach my paradise down by the water
thought the time would never come. l knew
that sweet words and the gentle Difference OF
love awaited me there 1 knew the bank was
beautiful with ferns and moses and wild
flowers that the water was still and deep
and lovely with tremulous shadows. l wai
thinking of and yearning for it all. l hat
taken the last stitch, and had risen to my fee
with a sigh of relief, when the door opened
and in came sister Maria with little Phil
yellow haired, dimpled, mischievous little
Phil He was my favorte among them all
lovable, warm hearted little fellow, tina
had already run to me with outstretcheC
hands and cry of delight. But was colt
and sullen, and stood there looking at Maria
waiting for what l knew she would ask. Ask
demand rather she was always bringing
the children there for me to mind. didn'
so much dislike the care of little Phil; at an,
other time it would have been pleasure t,
me- but that day, that hour, that minute
how could l stay at home The tears sprani
to my eyes, and began to tremble with grie
and disappointment. Then the church bel
rang out dolefully, as if tolling my happines
away. Yes, it was poor Mrs. Barlow's funer
al day. remembered now, and mother wa
, upstairs getting ready to go. AS for siste
, Maria, when did she ever miss funeral?
She was already taking off Philly's hat, an
putting a gingham apron over his holida
dress.
"Be sure and watch Phil, she said ''Don
let him out of your sight, Bess. He's alway
getting into mischief of some Sort
Then at last gasped out an entreaty fo
, her not to go.
/, mot 20 to the funeral" she echoed
: ir1Ef xuovr Vn1 aV,ft
put yourself out the least bit to let me hay
, any enjoyment"
, Enjoyment! 1 said no more. In truth, tt
whole village seemed to be going. Group a
| ter group passed our door, and the bell weI
changing on. l sank back in my chair in
stupor of resignation but no sooner ha
q mother and Maria gone out the door than
4 burst into passion of weeping.
a Little Phil ran over to me, and clasped hi
q chubby hands about my neck.
:. 'What make Bessie cry ?" he said.
r "Oh, Philly dear" cried, clasping hi
d close, and rocking to and fro, ..'Bessie did {
5 want to go somewhere to day down by th
9 water, where the pretty flowers grow, out
! the sound of that nasty bell, and away fro
q those hateful, curious people down whe
n the frogs are, Philly-the queer speckle
b frogs that make faces at you, and sing sue
funny songs"
S The little fellow clapped his hands, al
a then looked peadingly up in my face.
v "Me go too? Philly go with Bessie to 81
IS the funny frogs. Philly be good boy. Plea
Q Phily go?"
I A throb of hope and Joy moved my d
spending heart. Why shouldn't little Ph
!. go? 1 had already begun to pull off b
Il apron, my hands trembling with eagernes
In less than half an hour we were hastenin
a away as heetly as our yearning hearts cou
K desire Phil was wild to see the funny frog
IT and well, scarcely knew what long
,e for most. To get rid of the bell, for Oh
thing-it changed so of death and all that W
10 dreary and miserable.
r Scarce had we reached the pathway tn
,e led through the pasture ground to the m
when the bell ceased, and a heavenly qui
10 fell upon everything. 1t seemed as If po
T. Mrs. Barlow must suddenly have got rid
'. the gaping crowd, and the gates of paradi
had opened to take her within. Phil clutch
ia at the flowers as we went along; he laugh
"a and crowed, and my own heart grew gla
rs At last through the briers and ferns l saw t
ly shining water the trees above, the trees b
low, and all of it the loveliest and brighte
il of green. At that moment did not so mu
ID care for the handsome young miller; L on
To yearned for the rest and shade aud lazy ha
a. piness of it all and when l reached the bal
an and found it all alone with its tangles of tn
Il. and wild flowers, l was quite content l
30 deed, it began to be peopled very quick
with the frogs that at first one could not So
is they were so of a color with the rest; b
ne presently We espied them, one by one, SOUS
es ting upon the opposite bank. Philly "
rt wild with delight; he had never seen
m many frogs, or any of 80 friendly and soc
"a BILE n mien Bat held his hand tight wit
"a in my own, for the water was deep there
s. deep enough to drown much bigger bo
ed than dear little Phils, AS held his han
oi in one of my own, my other one was caug
| in warm close pressure, and my heart |
in gan to beat my cheeks to glow. My W
81 rose my blossom" said the melodious voi'
1y show could you leave me so long5 All, NJ
Nv the world is sweet again!"
u Yes it was wonderfully sweet. The N