Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-03

tracts youth" and that Archie Johnston's
Psnsy would never be his wife. Slowly,
aimlessly, he opened the other letter, but at
ter the first line or two, read rapidly to the
end. Miss Penelope wrote
"I have read your letter, and must say II
was a great surprise 10 me. / never imag-
ined that you cared go much or at all for me-
First Of ALL want to tell you some things
that you may not know. You speak Of the
difference in our ages as II II we're great
deal. may losk younger than ! am, but
did not think 30. am a. and heard you
tell father you we're 40, so you see there is
very little difference. ! promised mother
when she died, ten years ago, that as long as
father lived | would take care Of him, so II
you took me you would have to take father
too, and not many men would want On old
maid for a wife, and her old father besides.
You are also mistaken about my having had
suitors. l have never had ono in my life
you are the only man who has ever cared
enough for me to ask me to marry him, so
know nothing about love affairs, but do
know that your letter has made me very hap.
py, and that il 1t should be the will Of Provi.
dence, will try to make you good wife.
But would like you to consider all the OBJ
stacles, and do nothing rash or that you might
regret one Of these days.
PENELOPE HARDY"
"Whew I" whistled the Doctor, sitting up
right 10 his chair. "Here's deuce of a mess
asked Penelope, Jr., and Penelo! e, Sr., has
accepted mel"
l would not like TO say how many pipes
the Doctor smoked that night, or how many
times that letter was read. Enough, that
quite early next morning q small boy brought
q note to Miss Penelope containing these
words
1.-THE obstacles are not insurmountable. l
shall call TO see you this afternoon. j. s."
This note threw Miss Penelope into a state
Of nervousness very trying to Penelope, Jr.,
though 1t must be confessed that energetic
young person did a great deal In a short time
certainly Penelope Hardy, with her hair
coiled loosely at the Dspe of her neck, instead
of in tight knot on the top Of her head,
with q soft bow Of pretty blue fastening the
simple linen collar, aud relieving the severely
made black dress, with pink flush (born Of
intense t1citemenD on her cheeks, and a
new light in her timid eyes, was 8 much
pleasanter person to look at than the Pene-
lope who had sat by the hearth and darnsd
Penelope, Jr., opened the door for him.
II am very glad" she whispered heartily,
pressing his hand in her eager, girlish fash
ion II always thought you would suit each
other" And before he could find words 10
respond Cthat last remark being rather hard
upon him, considering the circumstsnces) led
him quickly to the parlor, and, shutting the
door softly, went away.
Behold your Ulyssesl" he said, with a
forced gay e'y very foreign to his usual self
assured manner. But as he saw the small,
shrinking figure, the thin face flushed the
hands roughened and stained with many
years of willing labor for others, twisting
each other nervously, and thought Of the
constant self-sscrifce and repression she had
endured 80 long and so patiently, great
wave Of pity, very nigh akin to love, swept
over his heart, and he put out both hands
with protecting gesture to meet hers, say
ing earnestly Let us cast in our lots to-
gether, Penelope, and try to be good to one
another"
This all happened some time ago and one
would scarcely recognize the staid, prim Miss
Penelope in the sweet-faced. placid little la
dy who rules DIR. Sherburne's house. Rdr-
bdrd YfchLOn