Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-07-10
"POLES APART"

"POLEs APART"
Dick Fellowes flung himself back against
the frail door post OF the summor-house till
the airy building rocked to its foundations.
Say only one kind word, Stella :" he beg
ged, looking very white and hurt. MY love
may not seen much to you, but at least it's
the best I've got to give"
Stella Howard, sitting sweet aud calm in
her white gown and pearls, half glanced
towards her impetuous lover, then dropped
her blue eyes again with a suspicion OF a
dainty Hhudder. Dicks hands were 30 very
big aud red, and his evening dress looked ~
il IL came out OF the ark OF course he WAS
very good and nice, and Stella didn't mind
his clumsy little attentions when no one moro
interesting was at hand but to be made love
to by big, awkward, young civil engineer,
working ON the new railway line "a crea-
ture who couldn't sing, or ride, or play bill
iards-who entered n room like wandering
elephant, and was forever buried in diagrams
and calculations, instead Of talking society
chatter! Stella could not help feeling il n
decided liberty on Dick Fellowes' part to i'm
agine himself entitled to love Colonel How
ards only daughter, aud she heartily wished
she had never suggested his being asked to
Of chshlis over her new lace flOunces- OF
consented TO show him the gardens in the
soft sunset GLOW Of that June evening
II don't know what to say, " she said try
ing not to show her disdain too plainly.
"Pve told you It isn't the least use, MIR. Eel
loves; your life and mine are poles Apart /,
we cant make them meet. Im very sorry
you should be- panied. Try to forget it all i"
Forget :" echoed Fellowes. the blood
rushing to his temples NO, that's not like
ly. tell you, while you live no fellow will
love you a. | have done. Good bye, Stella ;
| can't stand any more. Heaven bless you.
for all you Are no eruel" and he was out Of
sight down the garden path before Stella
could have stopped him, even had she
wished
What curiously abrupt manners he had,
she thought IA she made her way back TO
the draving-room through the heavy scented
roses to sing the song Captain Thurlow had
begged for in a whisper As she left the table
How odd to go without bidding her father
good bye aud he was leaving Churlstone
the next day, she knew. Captain ThuTloS's
polished courtliness WAS a positive relief af-
ter such behavior, and As he turned the pages
of the Bohemian Girl, and murmured
compliments into Stellas we'll pleased ear,
Dick Fellowes and his wooing faded from her
mind like disagreeable dream.
Only once did she hear his name in the tso
years that followed, and that was ia connec-
tion with the scheme of some proposed gov
eTnment works, and he was called "Mr Eel
loves, the well-knOwn and rising engineer "
Dick rising! Dick famous Stella was sens
ible Of little shock OF intense wonder
But there was very little time for any
thought of the outside world after that Col
Howard died in AfghAnistan, and Stella
found herself a penniiess orphan, dependent
on the distant relations with whom she was
living. Even in all her sorrow aud despair
there WAS little ray OF comfort in the
thought Of Captain Thurlow. Surely there
was one strong arm and brave heart that
would not fail her. But Captain Thurlow
was endowed with knowledge of the world,
which made him keenly aware Of the nice
difference between Miss Howard the pretty
daughter Of his reputed wealthy colonel, and
Miss Howard the penniless orphan. His en-
gagement TO q Lancashire mannfacturer's =
daughter WAS in all the society papers within
q fortnight and rs Stella tried to crush out
the modification and resentment from her
heart, which seemed full TO OveItlOving
there sounded in her ears, as il it we're a
prophecy, Dick Fellowes parting words
mo one will ever love you a. have done 4"
ture that made StellA's memory dwell 30 often
aud so kindly on the memory of that wooing
~ time went on2 In the old days life had
held 30 much love for her that Dicks seemed
a thing little worth the having; nov that she
was that lonely thing, Roverness in other
peoples houses, she wondered how she could
have despised any love so honest and so true,
and her recollection Of clumsy Dick grew to
be very kind and gentle one
Not that her lot WAS a. hard a. many in
deed, the Bouchers were very kind 20 her
Her pupils were good and aIeetionate with
the careless affection of children; she had
plenty to eat aud drink, and nothing to com
plain Of, except that life had passed her by.
She tried 10 do her duty, to teach the chill.
dren we'll and wisely, 10 help Mrs. Boucher
with her many guests and society cares. The
house Was 10 be full for regatta week, as usu-
al, and Stella had promised to give up her hol.
iday till after they were all alone again. She
was writing notes for great garden party,
when the little girls burst in upon her 10 wild
excitement.
"Oh, Miss Howard only thiuk I" they
cried-"Sir Richie is coming-our own
dear Sir Richie Isn't it lovely 7" and
they gambolled about her like frisky kittens.
'And who may Sir Richie be 2" inquired
Miss Howard oompoaedly, directing her en-
yelOpss.
Not know our Sir Richie Why, every
body knows him lie plays tennis with US,
and rows MS ON the lake, and buys us dolls
Fancy, mamma Miss Howard doesn't know
our darling Richie -
Miss Howard has been out Of society for
80 long" responded Mrs. Boucher, more Sc
dAtely, THAT there is an excuse for her not
knowing al least the name of Sir Richard
PellOWes."
The pen rolled on the newly addressed en-
velOpes, and ruined two.
"Sr Richard Fellowes /" was all Miss How
ard could gasp out
''Yes, the great inventor and civil engineer
He had his barOnetcy conferred a few months
ago, when he finished the great railway line
TO Thibet and he's Just been stopping at
Osborne. Is il possible you've mover heard
his nAmep Why, he was one of tho lions of
last season-yOung, rich, and the fashion.
I'm lucky to get him here even for flying
visit but my husband and he are OLD friends,
and he's wonderfully fond of the chicks
Can you never have heard of him, really 7"
'1-met him years ago, i remember, "
Stella just managed TO falter.
Then people would think You fortunate.
However, l fear you won't have much chance
TO renew your old acquaintance Sir Richie,
as the children call him, is such an object OF
attention from both debutdHtes aud cAdper-
ones. He's one of the great parts of the
year"
And Mrs. Boucher laughed q little good
nRtured laugh.
Gladly gladly would Stella have hidden
herself away in her distant school. room thai
night, and pleaded neuralgia, or any other
synonym for an aching heart, rather than en-
ter the crowded drawing room, whence the
soft flow of voices and laughter foated Out
from the open windows over to her room in
the wing. But Mas. Boucher had told her
they would want some singing, and govern
esses must not indulge their feelings when
other peoples entertainment is at stake.
Btella's heart seemed beating in her ears a
she entered the great drawing room behind 4
tray OF coifee'cups, and hid herself in a shel
tered corner near the piano.
At first she could see nothing clearly, the
ross-shadsd Tampa threw 30 dim q light
then she grew aware of a group OF smiling
interested people, all bestOwing their mos
gracious smiles aud attention ON . tall fRur'
in their midst. Gould that be Dick FsllOwei
that broad -shouldered man, with the lon(