Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-06-08
NO. %.

six burners was at fault, so he turned down
one after another until the noise stopped, and
the parlor was almost dark.
You are very kind murmured Miss Nell.
as the major resumed his seat near her; "the
blowing of gas is dreadfully annoying to the
ear. BY the way, you were saying that"
The major resisted the temptation to say,
oh, nothing Of any consequence and re-
piled:
Il have long been the most reverent ado.
rer Of certain young lady, Who"
'Oh, major" exclaimed Miss Nell; "the
idea Of your being in love! Did you"
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson," said the
major, hastily, "but no one is competent to
pass an opinion on my condition Of mind, but
myself. fully know my own feelings. and
merely wish an opportunity to explain them
IN such manner as may be most respectful"
Il beg your pardon major" said Miss
Nell, now entirely on her guard. please
continue and believe no one here can doubt
your sincerity
The Dlajor's heart gave mighty bound
evidently this mischievous girl suspected
something, and was willing to suppress her
self
Il have long been worshipping lady
whom l would have been glad to make my
wife, continued the major, 'if / had not
feared that my love and what else had to Of
fer her would not seem compensation for
what she would be obliged to give up"
Your thoughtfulness does you honor, ma
jor, said Miss Nell in the kindest way in
the world.
Thank you-thauk you" said the major
hastily. Perhaps, then, you will under
stand why speak with more than my Gus
tomary freedom. Miss Wallerson, l was
trained in my youthful days to such inquest
loning reverence for woman as woman, that
| feel almost like thief when think Of ask
ing any woman for her heart and hand"
Again, major, l must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you honor"
said Miss Nell, as demurely as if she had
never tcased any one in her life.
Thank you-thank you" said the major
again. Il would like first to explain myself,
If may trouble you for a moment | am, l
believe, an honorable man. have a good
business and good bank account. l want
to devote both, and my life beside, to the
service of the sweetest woman that ever lived
| cannot expect her to love me as love her,
for she is angel, aud an only-well, only a
man.
"a true man, said Miss Nell as demure
as parson, is as good as anything else in
the world-evsn as good as a true woman
do you really think SO 7" asked the major
Il must believe you against my will, but en-
tirely according to my inclination. Well, the
woman whom l love you know very well no
one eau know her better she is pure, good,
sweet, noble, tender"
'Major-major :" exclaimed Miss Nell.
please don't contradict me on this partic-
ular point said the major; II really think I
know-I am sure do"
Then, said Miss Nell, lit would be very
impolite in me to contradict you, but real
ly-"
Really, said the major, Il am weighing
my words most carefully and 1 mean all l
say. want to offer her all I am aud have
under any conditions she may impose. Don't
imagine me impulsive or rash in this matter"
continued the major extending both hands
in his earnestness 4 mean"
What the major meant was never explain
ed, for Miss Nell, in accordance with her own
ideas Of what the excited man was trying to
say, murmured, Enough and fell upon
the majors breast and threw her arms
around the majors neck
What could the sstonished man do What
would any gentleman do in such circumstan-
ces Miss Alice tripped into the parlor,
found it dark, turned on the gas, saw the
couple, and exclaimed:
"Oh, my :"
Her sister looked up into the majors face
for second, then dropped her brow on his
shoulder and said
"Ob my"
And the major, looking down at the face
before him, now entirely empty of roguish-
ness, and of everything else but tenderness,
forgot sll the past and placed his arms about
the graceful figure that rested on him, and
sid
"Oh, my"
And although he has been married ten
years, be never has had reason to regret his
mistake.