Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-06-04

met. Do you not guess what I was think
ing as your sisters stood beside their
bridegrooms III church?'
But she did not answer.
Can you give me no hope, Grace? If
you told me to come back III five years,
would count them days for the joy Of
hearing you call me by my name at the
end, as woman speaks to the man she
loves. "
perhaps | ought to have spoken
years ago, but the bar is an uncertain
profession, and my position was not
made 1t seemed to me cowardly to ask
a womans love before one could offer
her marriage, so l kept silent till last
spring, when | saw your sisters lovers,
and could not help telling Won that one
man hoped to win your heart. Now
ask for your answer.
Grace Lcconte was the calmer of the
two when she spoke, but her face was
set like a martyrs i'll his agony.
II had hoped, Mr.. LcnnOX, that you
would not have followed up what you
said in March, but yet so selfish is a
woman l am not sorry to be told that l
am loved by such man.
believe me, it is l that am I'M
worthy. You have made too much of a
very ordinary woman. but am proud Of
your love, and in after years when |
find the strain too heavy, will often
say: God has been good to me. George
Lennox loved me.
He was waiting anXiously, not know
ing how this would end.
you have spoken frankly to me and
have laid bare your heart " she went
on. II do not see why l should be him
dered by custom from telling you the
truth Also. And then she hesitated,
but only for IA little. For years-I dc
not know how long-I have loved you
and have followed your career rs only a
woman who loves could, gathering every
story of your success and rejoicing in it
all as if You had been mine. Wait, for
have not yet done.
eff could say Yes, would, George
may 1 call you this only today
without any delay, but l must say No
instead, although it may break my
heart 1 can never be your wife. "
"What { > you mean"'
Bear with me, and l will tell yor
all You know now it is not because
do not want to marry you. l do | vii
not pretend indifference. But it is no
possible for me to leave my mother"
is that all?" cried Lennox as on,
who has cast off great dread Il would
never ask you to part from Mrs. Lecont
the last of her daughters. She will
come with you, and we shall strive t.
make her life peaceful and glad. "
PLEASE do not go ON, for this cal
never be. No power could induce moth
er to change her way or live with Us
She will live and die alone, or l mus
stay with her. My duty is clear, and
George, you must accept this decision a
final.
You will let me speak to her an
l put our case?"
l mo, a thousand times, no. She mus
r never know our secret. 1t would still b
: the same between you and me, bu
l mother would fret every year because
had made this sacrifice. Promise me 20
, will say nothing. That is one favor
t have to ask, and there is another-thi
3 you do not call again, for l could NJ
8 bear to see you for a little-for SON
d years. You will do so much for me, wi
= you not?"
He had sat down, his head on h
> breast. a figure Of utter detection, whe
she laid her hand on his arm.
u Things cannot end after this fasl
8 ion. " And Lennox sprang to his fee
"Does not the book say man will 70
J, sake father and mother for love $ SAX