Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-04-27
A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.

dora?"
Marry himv' Miss Chaloner arched
her brows in a manner indicative OF the
extreme establishment. II marry Reu-
ben Elder! Do you take me for an idiot,
Christine Gray"
"Eudora," cried Christine Indignantly,
you are heartless hirtW
Eudora Chaoner was a blue eyed,
haxen tressed beauty OF the most modern
type, and she meant that her face should
be her fortune.
ITS disgustingw said she. "Id as
soon be dead and buried as to live like
this, with only one silk dress a year"
When Christine Gray, the orphan child
of Mr.. Chaloner's only sister, came 20
live with them, matters grew more com
plicated still, and Eudora chose to sup
pose that Christmas presence was a per-
sonal infiction upon herself.
"As if there weren't nine Of us al
ready pouted Eudora. But little Chris
tine, meek aud down looking as an April
violet, soon proved herself to be the most
useful member of the family. She took
care of the younger children, mended and
made over ancient garments with an in
genuity that amounted to positive genius,
assumed the charge OF the housekeeping
and spent long days in trimming Eu-
fault finding beauty was compelled to
acknowledge that really, Chrissy made
herself quite useful" When the sum
mer came and the little tribe of Chalouers
began to grow pale and droop in the
burning reflection OF city payements,
there was no question of Saratoga or
Long Branch. Economy must be stud
| led.
The family were taken to the farm Of
the Elders, where board was cheap.
And, as Miss Chaloner had nothing to
do, what more natural than that she
should amuse herself by trying to fas-
cinate Reuben Elder the farmers only
son.
Hes n handsome fellow" said she;
"and he has read great deal. / really
think ! could fancy him II he were only
rich and had little more OF the SAVIOR
faire Of society about him"
And so, with a tact truly admirable,
she contrived TO keep Reuben Elder on
the debatable ground Just outside of a
proposal. until she went away and took
leave of him which convinced the young
man that his hopes were not unfounded.
Il may come and see you when visit
New York; he asked wistfully as be
held her hand minute before the steam
whistle sounded its unearthly summons
81 shall always be glad to see you"
said Eudora with a droop of her lovely
golden eyeashes.
81 was right" thought Eudora; "he
would have made a fool OF himself II
hadn't kept him at arms length"
Some weeks afterward Miss Chaloner
went TO a ball. but before she drove
away in the carriage OF Mrs. Colonel Lee
clair, who was good enough to call for
her. she had visitor.
Reuben Elder
Dear me, Reuben, is 1t your" cried
Miss Chaloner rather impatiently. 80
sorry I'm going out this evening! l hope
your mother is wellH
Reuben looked at her with eyes Of ad-
miration. Never had he seen her SO
beautiful as she appeared now, with her
hair all in huf OF gold about her face.
"Eudora.' he said, taking her hand. 81
have Travelled a long way TO see you.
Will you let me have one word with you
before you go outY
Mrs. Leclair is waiting"
81 won't keep her waiting long. II Is
only for you to speak one little word to
me-to tell me whether or no you Will be
my wife,
81 really think-that is, am quite GER
tain you have altogether misunderstood
me. Reuben" said the young lady. "Of
course. I'm very fond of you as a cousin,
but l couldn't think OF you in any other
light"
And away rustled the beauty, a cloud
Of yellow rosebuds, maize silk and glitter
ing golden hair.
"Oh, Reuben, don't mind her! She is
as cold and cruel as ice She don't know
what love means"
ais it you. ChrissyT" he said with a
smile. "Aly mother was right. She said
you were the flower OF the flock She
| wanted me to fall in love with you,
| Chrissy."
Reuben
What would your answer have been
had asked you the same question that
l asked Eudora? Would you like to
come to the old farmhouse?'
| "Oh, Reuben, | love itn cried Chrissy.
| invountarily clasping her hands.
| And could you love me-"
Christine looked up. into his face and
then suddenly averted her startled eyes,
| But in that one glance Reuben Elder
read the secret of her heart
When Miss Chaloner came sleepily
| down to breakfast the next morning, she
1 learned that Christine and Reuben were
to be married and return together to
Elder farm the next week.
You're welcome to him, my dear"
said Eudora maliciously. II never did
fancy secondhand bargains myself"
| But Chrissy was too serenely happy for
any such taunts and innuendoes to sting
her.
at was strange about the fortune,
Dora, wasn't it?"
| "Fortune What fortune? What on
earth are you talking aboutY cried Eu-
dora rather tartly as she broke open q
roll the next morning.
"Why. that old miser up in Brattleboro
-Stingy Sam the boys used to call him
has died and left all his money to Reu-
ben Elder! He was some distant relative
20 Reuben's mother, l believe, and Reu-
ben once interfered when the boys were
tormenting him. Stlngy Sam said then
that he would leave his money to Reuben
| when he died; but he was always making
outlandish speeches, and nobody paid any
attention to it. But it seems he kept his
word, and Reuben is a millionaire. He
came here to tell you of it, EudoTa, but
you wouldn't stay and listen to itP'
Eudora dropped her knife and fork and
stared blankly first at her mother, then
ut smiling, blushing Christine.
what a fool l have beenw she NUT
tered between her set lips.-New York
News.
Pets and Pet Names.
4 "The most graceful of domestic ami.