Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-12-13

-" ~ ineanf IL meant one thing to Miss
Choate-l O., that In spite or her nloeo,D,
hand, her ruined gown and SO ont of hsr |
weekly wages she felt strangely but cain.
ly happy 'U' o"''i''
Inc olergyman's widow came 70 the
uoor in alarm at seeing her daughter
Drought home by her employer and SIM |
ported by him in a manner which indicat- |
eu mat she must be seriously indisposed- |
really manner uncalled for, considering
that II was only hand that was hurt. and
her TWO handsome feet were intact and ms
sprlngy as ever. But the righteousness
OF II dld not seem to strike Mr.. Ormsbee.
he nall lifted her along, as IL she were
mortally injured and about to die, and the
sorrowtul tenderness in his eyes and tone
would nave led one to think him responsi-
pie Ior her critical state, when, in truth,
IL was wholly and entirely her own fault.
When they had explained the oircum-
stances between them and Mrs. Choate
mad dressed the wound with the kpowl-
edge always possessed by clergymen's
wives, she (Mrs. Choate) invited the gen
tleman to be seated and talked with him
In the easy dignifled way Mr.. Ormsbee
had come to know so well in his perfum.
cry girl.
He did not hurry. He seemed to be per.
fectly comfortable and to enjoy the con-
versation Of the placid faced, specialized
lady who had impaired so much grace to
her daughter for the latter he soon saw,
was but a later copy.
By and by the talk seemed to turn nat
urally to Fred, and Mr.. Ormsbee, feeling
that 1t was a good time to express his
hopes for his nephew. quietly but clearly
expressed them and signifled his Intention
OF making the young man sole heir to his
possessions.
Miss Choate looked cold and dignified
beyond her wont.
81 hope, madam, " continued Mr. Orms-
bee, addressing the clergyman's widow,
THAT you will use your influence with my
dear young lady here who seems little
bent on being unkind."
Mrs. Choate looked into her lap reflect
lively, but the eyes of Miss Choate never
left the face of her employer. There was
a strange expression in them, and her
cheek was flushed with excitement. She
broke the pause that followed his speech
by saying abruptly:
"a short man and tall woman are a
hideous combination. A man should be
just little taller than his wife"
ooh, my dear Miss Choate" coaxed
Mr.. Ormsbee, lis that vitality importantY"
at is to me-, answered Miss Choate.
at should not be, =" argued Mr.. Orms-
bee Fred is Of your own age, and that
is much.
81 am half sick of young men, " declared
Miss Choatc, nursing her hand.
my daughter, what do you meanY in
terposed her mother, trifle shocked.
"Just what 1 say, mother. 1 like old
men best"
"Leila" The note of surprise in her
mothers tone was intensified now.
81 can't help 1t, mother, and l don't
care do like old men best, and my hand
pains me dreadfully, and 1 am going to
retire"-which she Immediately did, with
a cool little nod to Mr.. Ormsbee.
There was another face behind the per-
| fumery counter for week, and then Miss
Choate reappeared. She was glad to get
back and smiled welcome to Mr.. Orms-
bee when he made his customary round.
1t was a very guarded smile, though, and
when he attempted to shake hands she
said:
"You see 1 can't" displaying her right
hand, still wrapped in a thin bandage.
"But the other will do" he said. "In
fact, it will do better because it is nearest
the heart" He was standing behind the
counter and speaking in voice calculated
to reach no ears but hers.
He looked very handsome and cheerful
as he stood there-his splendid form IN
faultless attire and his black hair, which
showed not thread of gray, spite of his
As years, tossed back from his broad fore
head. Miss Choate looked at him out Of
the sides of her eyes that he might not SEE
how she admired him, and she appeared
very demure, with her long lashes sweep
ing her cheek.
"You have heard that, have you not
about the left hand?"
"Oh yes" she returned carelessly, "bu
there's positively nothing in it.
"What? 1t certainly is nearest tn
heart"
Eyes, really, but that doesn't pr, y
anything, because it may be cold hear
it is near, you know"
"But it isn't cold heart in this case
Don't tell me that, Miss Choate, becaus
l won't believe It," Miss Choate looke
at him strangely and made the reply:
"This brand of olive oil u.s. in my opin
ion, no better than those we have beel
selling. 1t is bottled differently, to b
sure, but 1 have strong reason for think
ing it the very same quality, with highe
price set on it," Mr.. Ormsbee, amazed a
the irrelevancy of her remark, looked 4
the direction her eyes had taken and say
the retreating figure of the bargain soa
girl, who had been very near during hi
conversation about hearts.
"That is all very we'll, OF course, Mis-
Choate," he said, returning to the siege
"but am delightfully."- sure of one thing
J having had it from your own lips-that IL
. that you like old men best.
"That statement was made under pre-
sure. Please consider 1t void"
"No; l shall not" Mr.. Ormsbee ma
turned his back 10 the bargain soap CIR
and now said in a manner that MADE NIL
Choate understand how thoroughly
! earnest he was;
"Nothing ever made me so happy
5 that statement, and shall hold you to
} strictly. 1 came to you that afternoon q
! an Aldenese errand, but now am speal
. ing for myself.
A few months later they made splel
t did pair, and as the new Mrs Ormsbee,
3 beautiful travelling gown, passed M
t Fred Ormsbee on her way to the carrlal
q she patted his sweetly scented locks al
: murmured
+ "Be a good boy, FredP' She had NJ
8 quite forgiven his little stature Tor aspirin
i to her height. -,
n and old shoes, but Fred stood sulkily
one side and muttered, Win lhnnlue s0or
" BE good boyP "-Exohange'
IS The German and the Woman
a II ANYTHING is more astonishing th'
u tho calm superiority of sontempt WI