Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-11-30

of eyes shone out straight on Libby. They
glared for a moment, then they stared then
the patient resigned himself quietly to treat
ment
The Marquis de villenteuil was not old
hardly pest forty-but his constitution was
broken, and he had stubborn gastric fever.
Through it all Libby was his faithful nurse
and tyrant. OF course be needed a tyrant,
for his appetite was unreasonable and his
temper imperous. One day | chanced to
overhear this dialogue
"Gif me" said the maquis, Ito drink"
eyes, Mr.. Markee, answered Libby, pleas
antly, and brought a cup of warm milk
'Mr Markee," was the nearest approach she
could ever make to his name and title.
81 do not like, said the marquis eying her
haughtily. "Gif me some oder tings.
mo, answered Libby, firmly.
"Go," the marquis commanded, ITO my
box, and bring me one large black" He
made the image of bottle in pantomime.
Libby wouldn't understand.
'Gif me lie dictionnare." She brought
the book. Bring one large black, flask
bottle -gourd-long necked vessel to hold
liquid"
Libby produced bottle of champagne.
"Hah - exclaimed the patient. "Ben
Tirez -pull-draw-retir the cork"
"No," spoke Libby, deliberately "you
can't have it, and set the bottle down we'll
out of reach"
"Dieu! !" yelled the marquis; "you tell to
me such words will haf it, and he raised
himself ON his elbow.
"Lie down and be good, " said Libby, coax
ingy.
"Gif me of the wine" he screamed.
"No," Libby calmly replied and shook
her handsome shining head as she stood with
arms akimbo waiting for his next move.
He soon made it. His face turned an ugly
livid color, and he tried to spring up and
reach the bottle. In a fash Libby had her
hands on his shoulders in another she had
shaken him soundly, and deposited him firm
ly on his pillow.
Now" said she, standing over him,
and giving back glare for glare, ''if it's to
come to fightin', you amt nowheres, Mr.
Markee."
He vociferated wildly in his own tongue
but he didn't dare to stir and she informed
him
81 dun know one word you say in that glib.
beri4h o. yourn, SO don't waste yer breath
jst want TO git you well, an mean to do
it."
She did do it. She controlled him, amused
him, and, above all, cooked for him. The
recovery was due more to her broths than to
my medicines One morning, after he was
convalescent Libby surprised me by calling
at my office.
"Is the patient worse ?" was my natural
question
Worse? Dear, no he's eRtin' broied
chicken, and peart as anything" Still she
stood nervouslY twisting the corner of her
shawl, and hesitating "Mr. Markee, she
stsmmered presently, won't take his food
from nobody but me-"
Indeed :" answered grimly. For a week
past had seen how matters were going The
marquis was tender-actually respectful and
tender-toward his pretty nurse.
''Mr. Markee says I'm good lookin', Lib
by added
"He tells the truth" responded with fer
vor. "But, Libby, what's the matter ? Con-
fde in me.
"Oh, only dropped in to bid you good
mornn'," she answered. coquettishly.
Heavens! is she in love with me ?" was
my intoxicating thought, and l ventured a
compliment Nobody can be more glad to
see your lovely face than am, Libby no
body can be fonder of it,
"Hold your tongue" the young woman
gave back tsrtly. Don't you be silly"
saw the advance was premature, and still
remained puzzled over her strange agitation.
At last the mystery was solved. With man
ner of frank svowsl she broke out
few sprigs of your green mint to make e
sauce for Mr.. Markee's dinner. Our'n is all
dead"
sighed. She went into the garden, and
talked gayly about Kinnewasset affairs while
| gathering the leaves, and plucking them over
with affectionate care and she let fall, inno-
Gently, "Mr Markee is so fond of mint p
Whereat gave way to a profound melan
choly. l just remember how she looked,
turning back at the gate, and giving still an
other piece of village gossip:
They say Jake Davis is goin' into Yer
| mont a loggin'. Fathers real sorry he's so
handy round the hotel"
Yes" answered, ''the owner of the Kin
newasset saw mill says Jake is so unsteady
that he won't employ him"
"Well, father d take it kindly, doctor, ei
| you'd speak good word for Jake. He's
real useful round the horses mornin's an
| evenin's."
81 will" promised, "for JAkes good
| fellow"
'Pshaw he's awful tall said Libby, and
laughed over her shoulder, as, shetering the
mint carefully, she hurried away.
"Tall-'awful tall" l reflected sarcastic
ally "Villanteuil is not tall, certainly, and
certainly am. Libby's taste is formed by
the French standard now. Awful tall i.
How much girl can betrsy in word and q
look :"
Soon after, was obliged to call on De Vii.
lanteuil. He was dressed in fine morning
suit of dark blue cloth, his face was set of
by rich smoking cap, and he was writing
letters in neat, scholarly hand. With the
illness his querulousness and violence haC
passed away, and there rose to meet me 6
French noblemRn, courty, polite, and scrup
ulous in his person and belongings. In spit'
| s,e I faIk nf tha lttla y
birth and breeding. There was the usua
professional talk then the marquis said,
quite irrelevanty:
"Sare, Mees Libbee is one yer beautiful
young person. She is paysanne-vat yoV
call peasant-but she look as duchess"
could make no reply, but nodded oivilly
II am yer mooch better sare Mees Lib
bic cook merveille she is garde malad
parfaite. She is yer beautiful young per
SON."
The marquis INDUCED in a short revere
then asked for my bill. Immediately b
handed me roll of gold fully ten times tn
amount.
When l counted out from the money tn
exact sum due, and returned the rest, De Vii
lanteuil stared in amazement; then fine lit
tie expression of comprehension and appre
citation glowed over his sallow face, and b.
exclaimed: "Ah, l understand. In thi
country nobody is noble, yet eferybody is no
ble But, monsieur, you will do me this hon
or" He took from the table a magnihcentl
bound volume of Voltsire, and wrote on tn
Ay-leaf IN. le Docteur Black, de son am
reconnaissant, Villsnteuil."
Iaccepted it with thanks and began to fee
that man might be gentleman even with
out the advantage of Kinnewasset society
and that, for a down East Yankee, was quit
a step in knowledge of the world.
The next day / happened into the hot'
kitchen, where Libby was deep in the my'
teries of mince.m meat She held woode
bowl in her lap, her round arms were bare
and the crisp red-gold hair was carelessl
pushed back.
''Makin' mince-pies for ThRnksgivin', doc
, tor" she explained. "And there's such
turkey-a sixteen-pounder
Suddenly, in the midst of her womanl
chatter, she stopped short, blushed rosy rec
, and bent her graceful head in silent conf
sion. The cause was not far to seek. TIL
marquis stood observing her from the doc
way, and his gaze was both ardent and r.
spectful. Even Jake Davis, who had ju
, come in from the barn, saw something strang
, and stared at the Frenchman in good nature
l surprise. As for me, went home in tortur
/ was in love with Libby myself, though al
til jealousy reused me ] had never fairly d
fined my own sentiments. OF course re
q oenized that her accent and Eugish gramm
; | were eyen worse than nv own, and that b.