Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-05-28

on me as a fatherly sort Of being, who will
sand by you in all times II you'll permit.
I'd like to be little more to you than tn
man whose housekeeping you superintend.
What do you say p
"Thank you, she said, then she bent down
over him az he leaned back in his easy chair,
aud gave him tiny kiss on his forehead.
"ljless your heart, child bless your heart
bless your heart !" he exclaimed then he
took out his red silk handkerchief and very
vigorously rubbed the spot her lips had 80
lightly pressed That's all right, he said
seeing her amused look that's all right,
but don't do il again. Now we'll forget ev-
erythng but that we are sworn friends,
and that you are never going to marry but
are to stay with me and keep me from dying
of indigestion before my time-eh Z"
Yes, that's it,"
Three weeks later, Elizabeth received a
despatch from Mr. Bailey, saying, "Shall
bring company home to dinner; one for
whom the best is none too good"
The train was due and Elizabeth sat wait
ing her housewifely snxietes were at rest
for success regned in the kitchen, and the
dining-room was delight to look upon. She
had given the last touch to the arrangement
of snowy linen, rare old china, delicate silver
and glass, and decided that nothing more
could be asked Of them.
The pretty parlor wore an uncommonly in
viting look, and Elizabeth, sitting in the glow
of the frslight in her garnet cashmere
gown, made picture fairer than she dream
ed. For some reason that she could not ex-
plain she felt an unusual interest in the com.
ing of this stranger. Sue had looked in the
glass as she made her toilet and decided that
so far as its effect on her looks was concern
ed her experiment bad been a success. She
-. l.. - T.. -
worn when she came down to Allandae six
months before, and enjoyed the contrast.
She was conscious of desire to look we'll to
this stranger, though she could have given no
special reason for the wish.
The train WAS late Johanna in her do.
main grew nervous lest the dinner should be
spoiled by waiting. Elizabeth became aux-
ious lest some accident had happened. The
train was frequently late, but this delay filed
her with apprehension. She turned to the
piano and began to sing. Two men, coming
up the long gravel walk, heard the sweet,
clear strains of Douglass, Douglass, ten
der and true" and walked carefully.
Silently they opened the door and in
moment more stepped into the parlor. Then
Elizabeth turned, and then-then Mr.. Adam
Bailey stood in seeming horried astonish-
ment, for right before his eyes his little
housekeeper was folded in the arms of the
man who had come to eat his salt.
"Well, WELL well !" he said, ''how is this
how is this? l expected, Miss Elizabeth,
you'd greet my friend cordially, but did
not expect such demonstration; and as for
yOu, sir"
Don't say a word, uncle, A." said the young
man, "if you could know how happy am !"
"And how happy l am, >" added Elizabeth.
Aud if you could only know returned
Mr.. Bailey, Hoc hungry ! dm."
After dinner they talked it over.
miss Elizabeth" said Adam, Il don't
suppose you'd suspect me of deep and cum
ming plotting and planning in this. One day
you left book out in the summer house. 1
picked it up and on the fly leaf l read this
gentleman's name. l said to myself, this is
the lover OF whom she told me, and mas
much as had a nephew of the same name l
put two and two together and concluded that
the lover and nephew we're one. Then fur
ther said to myself, Elizabeth will not marry
me. Some day some man will come along
whom she will marry, and 1 will lose my
housekeeper. Why not send for this nephew
of mine, bring him down here and bring
about reconciliation between the lovers this
will open paradise to them and be a special
providence to me- for l shall thereby keep
this born cook in the family, for shall live
with them, Of course To be sure was not
absolutely sure that I'd got the right man,
but I've no doubt on the subject now. My
plan has worked beautifully, hasn't it now 2"
The lovers sat in speechless happiness
Adam accepted their silence as consent, and
stole quietly from the room. As he went
though the door they heard him say, "Shes
a born cook, and it's all in the family any
way. CdrlOtta Perry in Good H0usekeep-
ina