Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-11-07
A LOVE MATOH

November dusk Hampden looked dreary
enough, with the dark chimney of the new
silk mill rising out of the hemlock woods,
the staring Queen Anne depot, the church,
which bore strong family resemblance to
child's wooden toy and the stone quarry to
the left, which reminded the thoughtful
looker.on Of gigantic fortifcation in an un-
finished state
"Humph! !" said Mrs. Medley, as she look
ed around her. "a queer place"
Her niece Phebe was there to meet her
with box wagon and q white-nosed old
horse.
Folks can't always choose where they are
to live" said Phebe, who was always in
state Of antagonism to Mrs. Medley, land
Hampden is good enough for me-"
How is Pnilip?' said Mrs. Medley.
Phillip is well, said Phebe, as the helped
the depot boy to hoist Aunt Nedley's trunk
into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's favorite
nephew. She had paid his bills at school,
superntended his fortunes, and finally pur-
chased for him share in the new silk mills.
Hes all I've got" said Mrs. Medley, "ex.
cept Phebe, and Pnebe and 1 never did hitch
horses together Aud l want him to succeed
in the world"
But within few days new claimant had
arisen to Aunt Nedley's protection and tender
consideration.
ITO be sure, she's no relation to me, ;" said
Mrs. Medley. "But her mother was my dear
est friend and think l will adopt her FOR
iEy sake.
And it was scarcely an hour from the time
in which she learned that Silvia Gray was an
orphan that she wrote a kind letter to the
girl, inviting her to come East for a visit.
"If you like it, my dear, there need be no
10 haok - ha
1--WE are both alone. Let us be companions
to one another"
She had waited and waited, and no reply
had arrived; and while she waited plan had
developed itself to her mind.
at she is her mothers daughter she can't
help being pretty, said Mrs. Medley. Phil
is a handsome lad. She shall marry Phil !"
Aud this explains Mrs. Nedleys presence
at Hsmpden.
Il suppose you are still keeping house
for Philipy' said she to Phebe, as they drove
along in the chill twilight
No." said Phebe, skillfully guiding the
old horse down steep place 10 the road.
"He boards, eh 2" said Mrs. Medley.
mo, he don't board" answered Phebe !;
"his wife keeps house for him."
"What ?" said Mrs. Medley.
"He is married." announced Phebe very
much in the tone in which she might have
said 1T ia a cold evening"" or "the train is
late"
philip married !" repeated the old lady
married Stop, Phebe; don't drive a
step further Turn around at once. Take
me back to the station. I'll return to Con-
cord"
"Aint you going on TO see Philip ?" asked
Phebe.
"Not if he's married. answered Mrs Ned
ley, in choked voice.
Hes got proper nice Wife" pleaded
Phebe. You'll like her"
mo, shant !" said Mrs. Medley. "Phil-
ip married. Phebe, il you don't turn around
I'll get out and walk !"
Mrs Nedley's will was like adamant and
Phebe Barrow was forced to succumb to it.
Aud so it happened that Phebe and the
white -nosed pony arrived, solitary and alone,
at the little cottage of the mill superintend-
ent half an hour Afterward.
Phil came out into the porch, carrying a
lamp in his hand.
Mrs Phil ran after him with pink apron
tied around her trim waist, and her brown
fringe OF hair blowing back from her fore
head.
where's my aunt ?" said Phil as Phebe
jumped out, Didn't she come ?"
"She came" said Phebe curtly; ''but she's
gone back again"
"Gone back again 2"
"Yes. She didn't like it because you've
got married. so she's gone back by the S:06
train"
"Oh, Phil" cried Mrs. Barlow, who was g
round cherry checked little woman, with
soft hazel eyes and a mouth like a red rose
bud, "What shall we do? Why didn't you
consult her before you married me?'
Phil Barrow broke into great laugh.
MY dear" said he, it wasn't her consent
wanted it was yours"
"Oh! But Phil, she has done so much fol
you"
"Shss good SOUL but she's eccentric,
said the mill superintendent go in, Phe
be, and get your tea"
"Im sure l can't eat a mouthful," sale
Mrs. Phil despairingly. And the biscuit
mixed myself; and the fried chicken and the
White Mountain cake-oh, Phil oh, Phil =
Don't fret, dear" said Phil my Aun
Medley has missed very good supper that
can tell her."
''But I've blighted your future !" said Mrs
Barrow, trsgicslly seizing the sugar tongs
"Ws'll go to Concord to, morrow and SCI
the old lady, soothed Phil "She must sur
render if she sees you, wifey! !"
Phebe chuckled grimly.
"That's all very wsll," said she, "but yol
forget that an old lady and young man don
look at a girl with the same eyes"
Hold your tongue, Phebe, said the mil
superintendent. where's the use,of alway
croaking?"
And then Mrs. Phil began to laugh AM
Phebe, who, after her Grabbed fashion, wa
fond of her pretty young sister-n-law, laughed
also and, after all, the dainty little supps
was eaten and enjoyed, even though Aun
Nedley's face was steadfastly turned towart
Concord.
Her own fireside had never seemed 30 soil
tary and dreary as 1t did upon that Novem
Der night
The maids, gossiping in the kitchen, wer
called upon to rekindle the dead fire. Tn
tea, smoky and half-cold, was served, an
Mrs. Medley was just resolving TO go to bed
when Betsey brought letter.
"Postman, mum, he left il week ago,
said she. ''It had fell down behind the lei
ter.box."
"Ah" said Mrs. Medley, fitting on he
speotaoles and scrutinizing the seal and direC
tions, "from Silvia Gray Now 1 shall hav
some one to love in Philips place !"
But she had not read three lines before sh
flung the letter Indignantly on the sulkin
fire.
married !" she exclaimed. "That child
Ia everybody crazy to get married, wonder
And she hopes I'll excuse her, but her hut
band thinks Folly and nonsense What
her husband to me! Betsy, my chambe
candle !"
"Bless me, maam !" said Betsey. "Whl
has happened ?"
"Everythingl" !" said Mrs. Medley. Don
let me be called before s O'Clock to morro'
morning. l almost wish that could go
sleep and sleep forever !"
And Mrs. Medley, in the silence aud sol
tude of her own room, fell to thinking
what charitable institution she could leaV
her money.
With the PsAlmist of old she could earnes
ly have cried Vanity OF vanities, all is val
ity"
81 loved Philip" she said, land had 81
my heart on Silvia Gray-and such a mate
as 1t would have been :"
She was sitting at her luncheon the nel
day, with the oockatoo on one side of her gu