Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-07-24


d" lie is such a perfect gentleman,
Sadie she demonstrated. that / can
see no occasion for this Arctic frgidity.'
Why. Auntie dear. l thought l had
been perfectly lovely to him. He Is such
a dear old soul that l fell In love with
him at first sight"
L do not mean Mr.. Hilton. child. but
the nephew"
MIR Hamilton? oh. he is too young
altogether too young, besides. young men
now-a days don't amount to mucn any
way
The words sounded suspiciously famr-
lar to Mrs. Crompton, and she turned
sharply to Sadie. but that young lady was
gazing out Of the window with child-like
innocence
" Now. grille. don't be naughty. be
nice 10 both OF them; they are my guests,
and as an especial favor to me- I ask you
TO try to like Mr.. Hamilton. Remember
it is 90 he only for "a few days. dear
Sadie's face was a study. There was a
flicker Of a smile in the big brown eyes
and an expression of positive pain about
the rosebud mouth. Mrs. Crompton
I thought her on the verge of relenting
but q moving shadow In the rose-garden
below hardened her heart.
" Very well. Auntie. for your sake I'll
try to be nice to Mr. Hamilton, but
cannot help thinking his uncle perfectly
sweet can I?''
'
What ir Josiah should take a fancy TO
this slip of a gir2
The sBddowy figure below moved i'm
patiently
Il Will he good Auntie. indeed 1 will.
and the very next time l see this much
abused swain I promise 10 make peace
with him. 1t is growing late, bye-bye.
/ must run down and get a rose for my
hair" And with "a snatch Of song upon
her lips she ran lightly down the broad
stairway. across the garden. under the
Vine-covered arbor. and straight into the
arms Of the destested Mr.. Hamilton.
"I thought you would never come,
Sweetheart
d. And thought I should never get the
chance. Oh. Charley. l feel that l am
such an arch-deceiver Aunt Sarah has
just been lecturing me on my treatment
Of YOU"
And Uncle Josiah threatens to send
me home at once If I do not proceed to
bow down and worship at your shrine"
They both laughed in the joyousness Of
youth and love.
Il have discovered another secret be-
sides our own. Charley. This morning |
went over to take some flowers to old
Mrs. Belts, who has been bed-ridden for
years The Old Home week celebrations
T made her reminiscent. and she told me
that long ago Aunt Sarah and Mr.. Hilton
We're lovers. and only through a foolish
quarrel We're separated
Charley gave long. low whistle
'' So that is why Uncle Joe was SO eager
to Joiu the Old Home pilgrimage. You
. ought to have seen how excited he was,
Then l found out where he was coming
and suggested that 1 join him"
And Aunt Sarah never once suspected
our medium Of communication in he little
postoffice among the hills at Greenville."
None but the brave deserve the fair
II takes them both TO do and dare"
laughed Sadie. as she plucked a rose and
gave II to her lover.
" must go now, or Aunt Sarah will
think l am lost. so goodbye. and l intend
to be a little more civil. for her sake, you
know"
The ball was grand success from the
opening strains of " Home. Sweet Home
to the moment when they all Joined hands
IN one big old-time circle and to the
rhythmic motion Of clasped hands. sang
Aud Lang Syne."
Someway IL brought back to Sarah
Crcmpton another ball Of many years
ago. when Joe Hilton had asked her to
be his bride. She remembered that she
had worn simple muslin gown with blue
ribbons. and tonight she was radiant in
heliotrope satin and diamonds.
And once more the Honorable Josiah
Hiltons eyes grew moist as he too
thought Of that other ball. and all that
life had promised and all that he had lost.
Together they walked out OF the ball
room.
Sarah he began with manly direct
ness, years have come and gone since
that other ball when We two plighted our
troth. Then you were simple country
maid, but a sweeter never lived, and
was plain Joe Hilton. Now you are a
stately matron with wealth and position
and the world accredits me with having
rightfully won a place on its ladder OF
MI ( 70 81
ind it in your heart to plight our trotf
anew To me, Sarah. you were Vermont
/, the old home, everything. l have Travelled
! far TO hear your answer from your owl
lips. What Is IL to be. SARAH"
" The same as on that night so many
years ago. Josiah. for you have no
| travelled in vain, " his companion respond
T ed softly. 90 | will try to make the sun
set years Of your life richer for what tbs
. MONDAY has lost
. He bowed reverently and kissed he
? hand.
r You have made me a happy man to
, night, Sarah-and a proud one-th
proudest man in all the old Green Noun
tain State. How surprised the youngster
. will be-
a Il am so sorry they do not seem t
like each other" Mrs. Crompton re
! marked in troubled tone.
Well-Charley is still bothering hi
head about chit OF college girl, but
3 put my foot op that"
: And | have had a similar experienc
with Sadie. but the dear child submtte,
. to my Judgment most gracefully. 1t Wi
1 be less embarrassing to tell them our re
: lationship at once, Josiah. Why, her
A they come now"
The pair started guiltily they me
their seniors face to face.
Charlie-Sadie-" began Mr.. Hilton
:. I'VE NAV as we'll tell you that a wed
: ding is to be one of the results of thi
=, Home Week reunion, /
: Why, how did you find out, Mr. Hi