Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-01-25


turning away and opening the garden gate.
II never was more in earnest in my life"
said Colonel Jones; wait till to morrow, and
you'll soe."
He lifted his hat, and Betty went within
DOORS hoping that what she had said might
perhaps make an impression upon the Col.
oners mind. Her sisters we're all that she had
told Of them handsome, wise, and good
what more could he want? And what more
could he find at the ball? Betty was certain,
as she began to nod of to sleep, that the long
suspense and worry were over, and one of
her sisters would secure the matrimonial
prize.
Now it happened that the next day Bstty's
luncheon was her sisters breakfast, for they
had slept late after the ball and while they
were lingering over the meal TO discuss the
events Of the night before, who should dash
by the side window but the hero of the en-
tertainmentY When he alighted at the door,
and the mamma hastened out to meet him,
| both the sisters blushed and hurried away
from the table, bidding Betty help them to
their toilets. Nothing could ever make them
believe it but Betty was as much astonished
as they when word came that the Colonel de-
sired to see Miss Betty with the rest and as
| the Colonel was man who had long been
used to having his way, and had position in
the world that enabled him to speak out his
mind when others might be compelled to
| beat about the bush he lost no time in tell
| ing his astonshed listeners the nature of his
errand. He said that he believed the break
ing of his gearing the night before was part
of his destiny, that his heart had been com.
| pletely conquered by Miss Betty, and he beg
| ged leave to deliver that citadel over into her
keeping, with all the emoluments appertain-
ing thereunto. Then, taking it for granted
that the matter was settled, and graciously
letting them take breath upon this sudden
and magnificent proposal, he rode away, say
| ing he would shortly return again.
The first thing Betty's sisters did was to
make up all their little differences, and Join
hands over this new project. They had been
ready at times to tear out each others eyes
| which was quite natural when We consider
| the unfortunate struggle in which they we're
| engaged They had been generous enough
| to hope, if one failed, the other would sue
| ceed but the contest for supremacy was ter
| rible. Now they put their heads together
aud thought with one mind and one will
| with mamma to aid them in the background
Betty was quite ignored in this council and
| dispatched upon her usual errand for NJ Vic
| tor. Their lessons must not be neglected, as
this new piece of good fortune only reflected
upon the general prosperity Of the household,
and it was more than ever necessary that they
should fit themselves for the fine future they
were now really likely to attain.
| Betty went out with beating heart, and
geared up the old horse to the carry all, tax
| ing care not to mar the freshness Of the new
muslin she had put on in honor Of the Col
one As she rode along the song OF the
meadow.lark was sweet to her ear, the new
cut grass fragrant to her nostrils, and the
wonders Of Gods universe beautiful to her
near-sighted eyes. She would not have been
the natural and faulty bit Of humanity she
was if she had not been vain Of her fine offer
| of marriage. She longed to tell the Professor
OF the distinction which had been given her,
and could hardly wait for him to get comfort
ably fixed in the carry all, when she began.
Once in while, as she stole a side-long
glance at him from under her long lashes,
she saw the hot color gather between his
high cheek bones and his dark dry skin, and
a flame began 10 burn in his fierce black eyes.
She expected all this and was only waiting
for him to burst forth in one of his usual par
oxyms of wrath aud invectve, and somewhat
disappointed she got to the end of her story.
The color had gone out of his face leaving it
lividly pale, aud strange yearning had 80
softeued the terceness Of his eyes that it
brought the tears to Bstty's own. lie put one
long thin hand upon his forehead and gazed
steadily out upon the red clay of the road
"Dost love this monster, Betty = he said AT
last.
ty. "What is it to love-
my child, he said, 80 love, it is to be
willing to give up all the world, and remain
only to the one, and find there thy happiness.
Hast this in thy heart for the Colonel Jones p
Not for COlOHCi Jones'" she replied, her
voice sinking very low.
"Maledcton 80 cried the Professor. Hast
this in thy heart for another? But have
been deceived in thee, Betty. held thee as
| obi nj tlnr - nd
still another"
Then Betty full heart overhowed There
is no other, aud still another" she cried.
There is and has always been, but the one,
and you know very well it is you that have
taught me to love, and that love best in all
the world
Now, TO look upon the Professor, one
would have thought he bad meddled danger.
ously with an electric battery. He trembled
as if ho had seen ghost, and poor little Bet
ty began to cry, she felt so frightened and
miserable Then he gathered her in his arms,
and kissed her for the first time in his life,
upon her young forehead and, beginning
with the old soothing words, "Soyez tran,
qnille, mon enfant,' he went on to tell her
that she was altogether mistaken in her pref
ereuce for him that it had been his msfor
tune as well as his happiness to have but the
one little friend in all that strange country
aud very lonely and miserable, he had sadly
trespa,sed upon her sympathy and charity
that God forbid he should take advantage o
] such sweet generosity; ho was no Longer
| young, and had never been attractive tC
women; he was poor and an exile, and bad,
fair to remain 70 that her ingenious word
( had touched him TO the depth of his soul
: but Aud here Betty broke in.
But you don't want my poor little heart,
| .la "a Ion q
. her tears, for there was that in the Professor
s face that gave inetfable joy TO the fond, fool
( ish heart of little Betty. VERY we'll then
: neither will accept the fine big heart of tn
/ Colonel. l will have revenge upon some
70 body-see if DON'T"
But the Professor would not respond Il
I her gayety, and gently putting Betty out O
D his arms, he took the reins and drove on, tn
hollows in his face growing deeper and dark
!, er as he neared the house.
They found the two elder sisters in higl
? debate over the material that should compos
b Bstty's projected wedding garment. The e
der sister declared that nothing would do bu
70 a corded silk with ppings of satin an
d louuces Of real lace upon the train, il the
y had to sell the COWS for the desideratum
e Matilda coutended that Betty's extreme yout
would admit of a robe of tule, with naturi
= flowers and here the mamma gave her opir
n ion that a neat travelling suit would be mos
!. BETTING, as Betty was going immediatel
upon her bridal tour aud all this time tn
n poor Professor had stood awaiting their cor
/. venience. At last he turned upon his hee
and, followed by Betty, walked out the door
d ~ will walk back to the village, Betty"
d he said psusing midway in the hall. MA
q God bless and keep thee :"
le Heaven knows if it was a last caress
1r m cant for the child, but he turned and too
Ig her once more in his arms, and pressed h
" pale lips upon her tumbled hair. While II
sr two mortals were absorbed in this brief e
I'd stasy, an ejaculation, a shrek, almost a yel
is came from the threshold of the door benin
st them. There stood the eldest sister wit
ID amazement and horror painted upon her fiji
le features. Betty trembled and grew faint, bl
N the Professor stood firm, and still kept Il
le little hand of Betty within his own.
u The eldest sister, loath to give rein to Il
s, doubts and fears which the tableau before h
nd suggested tried to sneer away her forebo
ings "You will be pleased to remsmbe
i" monsieur" she said, THAT my sister is l
pc longer a child to be mauled and oaressed
ne every beggar in the neghborhood Sin
e your judgment and discretion are so sadly
he fault your services as teacher will gladly
IL dispensed with"