Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-11-30

al don't think the terms cold impass-
sive, and dried up were well applied in his
case said Tom
"Ile is very much nicer aud livelier than
an Egyptian mummy said Rose.
Tom finished his third banana, shook out
his napkin, pushed his chair back, and got
upon his feet. 81 had almost forgotten to
tell YOU he remarked, as he caught up
his hat and coat and started for the door,
that have invited friend to dinner to-
morrow
"To our Thanksgiving dinner :" cried
| Britannia "Eou know Tom, we never
entertain strangers at that meal
81 know it, fannie l tried to get out Of
it-I did indeed. But his appeal would
have melted heart Of stone. He said he
was a sad and lonely man, that the hope of
an alliance with our family was his only
remaining chance for happiness.
! "Who-who said so, Tom y faltered Brit
annia
'Mr Grimshaw," said Tom, and trotted
out the door, leaving the two women look
/ ing at each other.
Britannia gulped down something like
sob in her throat before she spoke.
ROSY, my child she said 'this is a
very serious matter. If Mr.--a-if what
Tom says is true, it amounts to proposal.
Rosy had taken her last banana to
rocking chair, and was now at the very
heart of its succulent delight. Her mouth
was quite full at first. so she only nodded.
Then she blurted out, still nodding her
curly head, Looks very much that way,
| Tanne'
"And he will want an answer to morrow
"Shouldn't wonder if he would" said
Rose, nodding like beautiful Chinese man
DARN
"Rosy, please don't" said Britannia.
do try to think of what you are doing.
Do you care for this Mr.-a-a-Mr. Grim
shaw ~
The name dropped from her lips like
bomb She had spoken it aloud but once
before in twenty years.
"Why, of course | do. | think, take
him all in all, he's almost the incest man !
ever saw.
But, Rose, are you prepared to share
your life with him ~
Quite prepared, Tannie. | think we'll
both be all the happier"
But Rose, he is Of very stern, exactS
ing disposition. He will never consent to
your caring much for others
81 don't care for anybody but you and
Tom
Even these, Rose-even Tom and me.
oh he won't object to YOU and Tom,
and my practciug. | must 90 at that right
away. | smell sugar and spice, and ev
erything nice | smell pumpkin, and be
lieve there must he a bank somewhere
whereon the wild thyme blows"
Rosy went into the parlor, and began her
efforts for high c.. Britannia remained in
her chair Again the little servant cleared
away the breakfast things unassisted. Up
on the range in the kitchen boiled and hub
bled away the various concoctions dear to
the gastronomical Thanksgiving heart
The pumpkin began to grow too thick, the
cranberries too thin, important moments
were passing in which the whole success of
the Thanksgiving dinner was concerned
and still Britannia sat immovable in her
chair. The very odors that fiOated in to
her reminded her so forcibly of that sad
dreadful day, twenty years ago, when she
had last parted with Mr. Grimshaw, He
had told Tom he was a sad and lonely man ;
the name of Iittermary had doubtless re-
called tender recollectious, memories of
thwarted hopes, and Rose was SO beautiful
SO enchanting, 50 infinitely more attrac
tive than she had ever been. Despite the
disparity III years, he might yet poor man.
be happy. Rose was an atfectionate, gen
erous, true hearted girl Many woman
well on in years was less sensible and wise
1t was an excellent match for the dear
child aud she looked at life so differently
from Britannia
In return for the benefits he would con
fer upon her, she would no doubt, make
Mr., Grimshaw happy As for Britannia, as
for herself she would no longer torment
him with her IDEAS of family affection. He
should have Rosy all to himself She was
not very strong, and could not hope to re
main very long with her children i'll any
case The thought had always tortured her
that the palpitation might carry her off be-
fore the twins could spare her, and what
matter for thanksgiving it would be to
leave them in the firm, strong, loving hands
of Mr.. Grimshaw
Here the tears of the good lady began to
low but her heart was softened and re
lieved An odor Of burning cranberries
and scorched pumpkin aroused her from
her revery. and as she flew to the kitchen
an air of abnegation, of full surrender,
shone in her gentle face.
When Mr.. Grimshaw arrived the next
day, the twins were out Tom had said he
was going to the skating-rin and Rose
had run out to buy some music. Both had
promised faithfully to return in very
short time-lOng before there was any pos
sibiity of Mr., Grimshaw's coming.
Britannia had put on her best black silk,
and Welded to the entreaties of Rose in re
ation to some soft old lace The litter
mary hair was naturally crinkly, so that it
was easy for Rose to prink it up in sub
dued resemblance to the prevailing fashion
Close proximity to the range, and various
conflicting emotions had brought a faint
/ color TO Britannia's cheek, which consider
] 1 i l
/ till the last moment for the twins, she went
in to Mr. Grimshaw. She had reasoned
and argued with herself till she felt quite
strong and firm.
/ He was looking out of the window, with
/ his back to the door, and she walked seve-
raj steps in his direction without any diff
Guilty. Then he suddenly turned and she
stood stock still. He strobe on and took
her limp hand in his. How it shook it
rested in his strong, warm clasp That old
palpitation came on so terribly that she
| could not choke out a word.
britannia, - he said, and then she be-
leved she never would get her full breath
again
"The-the children are out, she gasped.
"Out - he shouted ''of course they are
out Let them stay out. They interfered
enough with my affairs twenty years ago.
III all bluti man lON' III libehhhiu, anu a
sadder and wiser one. The twins are also
changed for the better. You alone, of US
all, are your old sweet self, A noble, un-
selfish little woman, that I'm almost asham-
ed to approach. Tannie, my long lost love,
my dear little woman, will you be mine at
last =
Was it then, or twenty years ago After
long grief and pain, the arms of her true
love We're round her once again. Her pal
pitation nearly carried her off, and fright
ened Mr.. Grmshaw into all sorts of prom
ises about the twins. When at last they
sat down to the Thanksgiving dinner, one
side of the turkey was burned to a crisp,
the pumpkin and cranberries were slightly
scorched, but the twins and Mr., Grimshaw
declared it a miracle of perfection. 1t was
Miss Britannia Tttermarys last Thanks
giving the next one found her Mrs. Grim
shaw. -HHperS Weekly
The Deadly Cigarette.
From the New Nor; Tribune,