Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-28
JOE BARRETT's CONFESSION

-"Bric-a- -Brae" in October Century.
JOE BARRET7'lS CONFESSION.
One seventeenth day Of August, not many
years ago, party OF four consisting of Joe
Barrett and his wife, their most intimate
friend Phil Somers, and Miss Maude Morti-
mer, young lady they hopedhe might induce
to consider the future happiness Of his exist
ence, stood quite alone upon a narrow strip
of sand on the Long Island coast, not far
from the great metropolis. Joe Barrett and
his wife had long ago been given over by
their relatives and friends, and the genial cir
Gle of society they adorned, as an old fash.
ioned couple that prolonged their honey moon
to r most unprecedented and unheard of pc.
riod. They had lately celebrated their silver
wedding, and for the amusement of others
and the romance for themselves would have
gone through with the original ceremony
again had it not been for serious obstacle.
The clergyman was still alive, and vigorous
for his years, and Phil Somers, Joes best
man at the wedding, was yet his best friend,
but the pale pretty little bridemaid had van.
ished long ago OF the face of the earth, and
become one of that shadowy band to which
I'VE call, and they answer not again"
There was rumor that il she had lived
she would have become the wife of Phil Som
ers, thus making the happiness of the four
complete. 1t was currently believed that be-
cause of this tender and romantic episode of
his life Phil Somers had remained a bachelor.
In his younger days this halo Of soft regret
and unappeasable longing lent a melancholy
grace to his already pleasing exterior and
many damsel endeavored to console him
but though he was gentle and even chivalric
to all womankind, he remained to all matri-
al s,,No -. o,,l
And here he was, bachelor still, fifty
years old, getting rather grizzled about the
temples and crow. footed about the eyes,
bronzed by his partaity for the open air,
thin but muscular, tall but straight while
Joe Barrett and his wife might both pass for
"fat, fair and forty" though they were not
so many years Phil's juniors
And here they were, plotting as lively as
ever for Phils connubial bliss. The present
victim of their tolls, although no longer in
her first youth, would have seemed 80 in any
other light but the critical one Of sun against
sand and now that thick bands Of gray
clouds lay heavily across the sky, tempering
the brilliancy of the suns rays, and the
young lady had pulled her veil about the out
lines of her face, Miss Mortimer seemed at
the heyday of her charms.
While waiting for dinner, which was in
process of preparation in long low hostelry
dozen furlongsor so inland, they had strolled
down to the waters edge, and true TO the
plan in hand, Joe Barrett had pulled his
wife's chubby hand through his arm and trot-
ted her away from Phil and the young lady
Lets leave them alone together for a
while, said Joe. 1T seems a propi tious
time for love making, and hope something
will come of this days trip, Polly Tm get,
ting awfully tired of working like pack.
horse for Phil's happiness"
While strolling along, they INDUCED in a
spirited conversation about Phil and the mat.
rimonial projects in which they had been en-.
gagged on his account. At last Joe remarked,
looking fondly at his wife "Id be the hap
picst fellow in the world if Phil could be
happy too
His wife shook his arm impatiently.
See here, Joe, " she said 81 think you are
absurd about Phil Somers, and you may as
well understand, once for all, that if this
thing falls through, I'm not going to bother
about his marrying at all. 1t is none of your
business or mine. ! don't believe he wants
to marry, anyway. Some natures are so CON
stituted that they can only love once, and
believe all the love Phil had to give any one
was squandered long ago on our dear little
bridemaid After all there's something very
sweet and touching in his remaining faithful
to the one memory all these years"
OOO hhSHolig lAOhl Onu AOOl " lnt
other. He picked up a stone and sent it
savagely whirring over the water.
Polly he said. 81 think I'll take plunge
in the sea it will tone me up, and give me
an appetite for dinner. There's a bathing
suit in one of the little cribs behind u.s."
Look at that big black cloud, Joe"
81 won't stay in long, Polly" He gave
his wife tender squeeze looked down upon
her with an expression that seemed to say
he'd kiss her if it wouldn't shock Miss Mort-
mer' sense of propriety, ran up to the bath
ing house, and to the surprise of Phil and
Miss Mortimer, presently disappeared in a
huge green wave that covered them with its
spray.
Joe is q regular water-dog" said Phil
Miss Mortimer made no reply She had
not come down to the sea shore that day to
| listen to the lsudatons of Joe Barrett and his
wife. Miss Mortimer felt that she had no
time to lose, and was resolved to waste no
words upon Joe Barretts maritime proclivi-
| ties.
Phil, however, kept his eyes upon Joe as
he swan out TO open sea, and went on talk
ing about him without requiring any special
reply.
Joe is little impulsive and reckless, per-
haps," said Phil, "but he's a capital swim
mer"
"Its growing cold, said Miss Mortimer,
contracting her shoulders in that graceful
| way that some women have of making even a
shiver attractive.
| Phil remembered with remorse that her
wrap was hanging forgotten upon his arm.
He fastened to put it about her shoulders,
but the wind, which was rising to gale, made
the effort prolonged one.
Don't you hate the wind?" said Miss Nor
timer, coquettishly.
II am never ungrateful." a" said Phil. eaptur-
| ing the ends of the shawl again. and holding
them fast this time about her slender form.
A keen look of incipient triumph flashed
from Miss Mortimer's eyes. Phips words al
ways seemed to mean 80 much more than
they said And she could not, unfortunately,
see that his eyes were still looking fxedly
over her head upon the water beyond the
surf.
A shaft or two of wild light flashed down
upon the scene. An ominous rumble from
the clouds mingled with the roar of the sea.
Suddenly the earth and sky were enveloped
in a binding glare. In this spectral light
Phil distinctly saw Joe Barrett fling his arms
wildly Rloft, and disappear in the dRrkening
waste.
Phil threw off his shoes and his coat as he
ran to the sea, and Miss Mortimer had greai
difficulty inrescuing his vest, which was near
ly carried out by returning wave. Her cos
tune was drenched with the spray, and she
nearly lost her footing but she saved th'
waistcoat, which contained Phips watch ant
other valuables. Then she hurried TO thu
shelter of the bathing houses, for the rain nov
began to fall heavily. Through the black
ness of the storm she saw the white face of
woman. Miss Mortimer knew ii was Mrs
Barrett running wildly down to the water
but she attempted no remonstranes. Sh