Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-22

musicians were seated in corner OF the
long low room and then were playing
an air Of the liveliest kind, to which
several scores of dancers were footing it
gayly. Smoking and drinking were be-
ing INDUCED in freely, and in the ada
cent rooms parties of pitmen and their
wives, young miners and their sweet
hearts were RECALLING themselves with
the savory pasties.
Peg Holland had scarcely entered the
room ere stranger was at her elbow,
asking her to dance with him. She said
eyes" to the handsome man, and soon
he and she were whirling round among
the boisterous crowd In village life
there is small ceremony, and the girl
concluded that her partner was friend
of some of the young men present. That
he was not common collier" she was
certain. He was too we'll and stylishly
dressed, too we'll spoken and gentleman
ly in appearance, for that. Who was he?
What was he doing there, she wondered
loted her gracefully and safely through
the throng.
Pegs cavalier was Harry Marston, of
course. His gaze had fallen ON the min
er maids sweet, dark face the moment
she entered the room, and he had forth
with made his way to her side and per-
suaded her to dance.
Harry was a good hearted, glib
tongued fellow, who could find his way
about anywhere, and although he had
never set foot in the hamlet before that
l. l.. L.
of friends among the pitmen gathered
together in the upper rooms of the Blue
Bell. He was so handsome, good hu
mored and generous in the way of in
viting people to drink with him.
When the polka was ended Marston
pressed Peg to take some refreshment
with him. She declined his offer, al
though his marked attentions and evil
dent admiration were in no sense dis
tasteful to her, and made her way to-
ward her friends.
But handsome Harry had no intention
Of being disposed of so easily. The
beauty of the village lass had made
deep impression upon his rather suscepti
BILE heart. Ten minutes later Marston,
with several companions, was at Pegs
side again. Said he in voice that was
at once we'll bred and musical:
"Miss Holland, we want you to join
us. Baron and Roscoe here, with their
sweethearts and myself, are just going
to commence the attack ON a big pasty
Will you join us?"
"I don't feel hungry, thank you. F"
"Come ON, Pegl" the others cried in
a breath, and despite her half hearted
remonstrances she was hauled away to
one of the small apartments near where
great crown pasty was smoking on the
table.
The party of six made meal that
was both merry and hearty. When it
was over, the large room was again
sought The fun was now at its high
est, and not a few of the pitmen were
half tipsy. Most of the girls were sober.
Before IL O'Clock struck Peg Holland
and the good looking stranger were on
the most friendly terms. Time and
again they had danced together, and al
| though Peg was not f1irt she hac
| shown her admirer that she was pleased
to have him paying her such assiduous
court before all her friends.
1t was only stones throw from the
Blue Bell to the cottage of the Hollands,
but Marston insisted ON seeing the girl
home. AS they paused at the door he
said quite gravely:
MAY l see you tomorrow afternoon
or evening, Miss Holland?"
"See mel What for?'
"Will you have walk with me?"
"Not I. Who are your" she demand
ed, with a saucy laugh. "Where do you
come from? like bit of fun as we'll
as any girl, but I'm not silly enough to
meet any stranger. "
eff that's your only objection, 1 can
soon remove it," he answered quickly.
my name is Harry Marston, and
come from Oldham. am living now at
Bellingham's farm, and I am the new
manager of the California pits.
"Wbat" the girl cried, with little
gasp of establishment. "You the new
manager? Why, work there"
$50 much the better, he cried light
ly.
"Why better?"
because 1 shall have many chances
Of seeing your pretty face"
She shook her head with gesture of
disapproval, but did not speak in re-
Spouse to his fiattery.
"Why won't you meet me now?"
because don like. Therei Now,
good night, Mr.. Marston."
GOOD night, Miss Holland"
For many days following their chance
meeting at the Blue Bell, Peg Holland
thought frequently of the new manager.
When he had asked her to meet him,
she had set the incident down as a mere
desire on his part to indulge in little
Irritation at her expense. That he adj
mired her very much his manner and
attentiveness had shown, but that he
really cared for her on such short ac-
quaintance she was too sober minded a
girl to believe.
Surprising he did care for her, loved
her. That thought bred many Others
Hitherto she had possessed only the am
billions and desires common to her class
When Jack Kendall had "made up to
her, in the parlance Of the village, she
had accepted his love without any Sc
we're Cross questioning Of her own heart
and had looked to marriage and sim.
pie home such as was the ordinary lot
of pit brow girls.
But the admiring glances Of Harry
Marston had suddenly developed a part
of the lassie's nature which had previ-
ously lain dormant. Now that she came