Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-10

closed shutters, but clasped my hands tightly
over my eyes till the sound of footsteps died
away in the distance. Then l crcpt stealthily
down stairs and stepped into the silent par
lor, where so lately he had been. ] was half
across the room before l noticed that l was
not alone, and then, before l could make a
hasty retreat, glad, merry voice, rich with
its golden music, exclaimed:
"My own dear little Mrs. Haynes, as livel
How happy l am to see your and a hand
clasped mine tightly, while pair of bearded
lips were bent down to mine. ! drew my
head back haughtily. l was little child no
longer. l would not accept, even from him,
the caress that he had bestowed upon me five
years before.
"Ah, Mr. Haynes" l said, bowling in u
dignihed way, 81 am pleased to see you"
My manner chilled at once his warm,
genial nature. Stepping back from me and
releasing my hand he said, with a curl of his
finely cut lips:
"Your pardon, Miss Lester; had quite
forgotten that you had grown to be a fine
ladym
bowed him back reply, flashing quick,
impetuous glance upon him as did so. But
there was no pleasantly attempted on his
part and when my mother entered the room
a few moments after and referred laughingly
TO our old engagement, he answered her in
few evasive words as though the subject was
not an agreeable one to him.
Affairs had taken an unhappy turn but it
was too late to remedy them, and day after
day passed away, leaving Mr.. Haynes as cold
and distant as he had been from the moment
l first repulsed him. l would have given
worlds to recall my unlucky words; yet, since
they were spoken, 1 would not unbend
moment from my calm, cool dignity, though
, | was as miserable and wretched as | could
well be, and knew that Mr.. Haynes shared
my wrctchedness.
All the time that l could spend in my
chamber without being absolutely rude was
passed there till my strange, unusual appear
ance was noticed by my father and mother,
and my mood commented freely upon before
our guest
"You appear so strange, Pbebe," said my
mother one morning. 81 really do not know
how to understand you. I'm afraid Mr..
Haynes will think you are not pleased to sec
him. Every chance that occurs you reso-
lutely avoid him, as though he were the veri-
est monster, instead of a dear friend. What
is the matterF
Nothing. The strangencss of my appear
ance is but a reflection. l cannot help it,
Mr.. Haynes hates and despises me now" 1
said, burying my fearful eyes in my hands.
| "Phebc!n
| Ny mothers voice was stern and reproach-
| full, but did not heed it,
'He does hate me, mother-hates me with
"Your pardon, little Phebe-Mss Lester
but he does notr' broke in the rich, clear
! voice of Mr.. Haynes, "Of all persons in the
) world He paused, and in moment
+ more / heard my mother step lightly from
the room.
Il am not cold naughty and proud"
said, cXcitedly, looking up into his face,
"and do like you just as well-as WE'LL
, "Whut, little PhebeF' he asked eagerly, a
quick expression Of JOY lighting up his blue
eyes.
Gas well as ever did" fatered.
"And how well is thati So well that dur
ing all these weary years you have not cher
ished dream of the future that did not en-
circle met So well that every strong
passionate hope Of your womanly nature has
reached out constantly to mel AS well as
have liked, aye, loved you-till every pulse
of your heart beats for me? As well as this,
PhebeF'
l covered my fnce that he might not read
the whole expression of my love in my tell
tale eyes, and be shocked that it had grown
to be so near a wild, passionate idolatry.
evil you become Mrs. Haynes in truth,
in earnest, PhebeF' he asked drawing me to
my old seat upon his knee
"Yes."
"And will at last wear the ringp'
| held up my finger before his eyes.
my own darling little wife; at last my
little Mrs. Haynes in good faith" he ex
claimed, covering my lips with kisses
That night there were sly looks and glances
cast toward Inc at every turn, and at the sup
per table my father quite forgot himself and
called mo little Mrs Haynes again.
Reader, | have been happy wife for somt
three blessed, sunshiny years, and as you
may have already conjectured, my name i.
Haynes"