Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-19

tehu7lll WIN MS SIX handkerchief before re-
closing his case. She hesitated.
Home with Auntie, think-I don't quite
know"
Home? Where is that?" demanded, in
qdisitorialy.
I'm London, she answered, and then she
changed the subject.
Did do wrong in asking that question II
was only in the hope that some day we might
meet again.
She blushed deeper and deeper II did not
know whether Auntie would like my telling
you, she murmured.
Then consider it unasked; only, like good
htte girl, don't burden your soul with a fib by
way of answer. Your aunt has assured me
day."
May tossed her head and then looked saucily
peniteut.
I'm not out yet, Won see, and don't know
what ought to say when a gentleman asks
my address with view to future acduaint-
ance. I'm sure shall be happy enough to see
you. IL has made great difference to our
stay here. meeting you and Amati.'
We parted friends Only. as | took nv way
homeward, did not feel exactly as if had
prospered greatly in my first step toward the
conversion Of Lady Dorothy.
met Mrs. Pierpoint that evening, "a / was
smoking lonely cigar on the Esplanade As
a rule she avoided the town. and don't know
what brought her there, though l won't swear
that distant glimpse OF yellow japanese
parasol had not brought me. IL was a still
warm-tinted evening, and the tishing-boats
rocked ON CLASSY sea, the line OF the net
marking one long curve Of nipples in the wa
ter, All the population OF kocksedge were
cnngregated on the Esplanade watching to see
the net drawn in. The little brown bare
legged children scrimmaged about on the wet
pebbles below. and scrap barked excitedly at
them from the edge of the sea-wal above.
Mrs. Plerpolnt had chosen a sat apart, and
welcomed me with a faint smile. She had
come 10 town 20 try and get rid Of her head
ache, bat | might stay. if did not mind a dull
companion 81 we sat and talked softly to-
gether in the st.l, clear evening, and when she
rose to go home | went with her.
May tells me she made a foolish mystery Of
our plans when she saw You this morning
was very angry with her. silly girl! The fac:
Is We don't quite Enow ourselves where we
shall say IN town. II is an odd time to be
there but May has chance of getting some
Violn lessons. and we can stay ON to get peep
at the autumn exhibitions. When have sue
ceeded IN finding rooms will send on our
address, if you care 10 have it,"
Colonel WriO.hes.ey could help you in youT
quest. Nobody knows town better than he l
expect him here IN day or two"
didn't make that speech II. swear. II was
some demon who got possession Of me for the
moment and spoke with d.abobcal significance
through my voice. / saw and. oh, how 1
wished hadn't seen-her start and color, as
no mention Of an ancient and respectable rea-
i've need canse any woman, conscience-free, to
blush. blurted out some commonplace stu
pidity in haste, to save her the embarrassment
Of reply, but the walk homeward was ended
in silence, except Tor few forced fragments
of conversation. When We parted she gave
me NO invitation to enter, nor did her ewes
meet mine as she held out her hand. shall
We see YOU tomorrow p and 20 nv fancy there
wa wistful Apologize ring in her words
You promised May to come. She will be DIS
appointed, and wonder
Thank you, will come"
I'm the afternoon | shall be glad to see you. ="
and she bowed and let the gate close gentlyon
me, while las miserable and coDgcienca-sn,it-
ten as if had been found out in ANYTHING
turned slowly h0meward to compose another
letter to Lady Dorothy.
This is what l said
81 can only answer your anxieties about me
by the truth-the truth about myself. mean.
Perhaps you have already guessed somewhat Of
1t from the letter that this follows As Cor Mrs.
Plerpoint, am as far from knowing ANYTHING
about her as was then. You hiated, half in
joke, that she was not what she preteads 10 be
plainly spoken, that means that she is an ad-
Of whom a wise man would keen
clear. think You are right; at least [ have
been trying all day 70 convince myself that YOU
are wrong, and have succeeded in discovering
what That il she is an impostor, instead
Of unmasking her, l, for my part. am ready 10
turn round and make common cause with her
against you and the rest Of the world-n she
VIII have me for an accompliee. The murders
out and l can but throw myself on your
mercy. II is somewhat Of a relief TO have my
own folly set clear and plain before my eyes,
and to have fathomed its depths Dorothy !
hlndest and wisest of fairy godmothers You |
have helped me before this out of many a diff |
lcIlty-out OF many more than you ever sus- |
L. IFNN
are indignant with me, and ashamed of my |
folly? So ought to be, and the worst symp- |
tom Is l am no such thing. Here am at i've |
and-fofty, steady-going old veteran, hope |
essly IN love with woman, not young nor |
beautiful (as beauties go-I have my own |
opinion on that subject, Of whom know alb |
'olute'y nothing, except that she has a bril- |
liant touch on the pianoforte, a delicious con-
ratio voice, and laugh like somebody met /
years ago down in Yorkshire.
NO l am not ashamed, and decline to be |
Ditied.
"'What is to come Of itY you ask. Rave
not an idea. OF one thing only 1 am certain |
believe 1t or not-Mrs. Pierpoint is in total /
ignorance of my folly, and shall remain so.
She thinks, indeed, that 1 am unjustihably /
curious about her past lie, and there it ends. |
Pe-haps the advent Of Colonel Wriothesley
nay frighten her away-I devoutly hope it |
nay. If not, shall keep dlscreetly apart |
iom 4aulAIlsk LOuge tlll their stay here
'omes TO an end. Not from one remaining
park of prudence or common sense, but sim
ply because Mrs Pierpoint cares not one whit |
Tor me, and don't want to provoke her into
elling me 80, as / should most eddy do if
gave myself the chance"
May and her aunt welcomed me as usual
Ehen paid my promised visit next day I'm /
afraid my performance was not as correct as it
night have been had l not been absorbed in
Watching the changes Of expression that |
lrifted across that handsome. inscrutable |
ACE Of Mrs Pierpoint at the window.
caught her beautiful eyes fixed on me,
90, once. 1t was when May had left the /
piano and returned to her cello. / Liked to
watch her as she played-with her long white
lrml and fingers, her intent luminous eyes,
and her loose ripping hair. May always re- |
minded me Of some angel making music had |
'een in a church window and l sat admirlng /