Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-03

place. If Cedric would only vacate. Oddly
enough, Mr.. Amherst renewed his suit at
this time, and pressed it with the eager
ness Of lover, and for the first time !
began to hesitate. THE woman who
hesitates is lost" said Susette.
had been out on the hills one day try
ing to make up my mind to forget Cedric,
and marry Mr.. Amherst; but whenever
l began to think Of going to parish meet
ings, becoming the president Of Dakota
leagues and sewing circles, visiting the
poor. and drinking tea opposite Rev. Mr..
Amherst all the rest Of my days, some
how or other Cedric's face would slip
into the picture unlimited, and blot out
his rivals strong sunlight fades a
negative photograph.
There is a letter for you, Adrienne,"
said Aunt Browne, when 1 entered the
house, 'in the music room, on the top of
the dado under Mozart's picture" 1
went into the music room, but there was
no letter to be seen.
Perhaps one Of the girls has removed
it," she suggested. But no one had
meddled with it.
Grandma cooked a letter over the tea
kettle" said little Teddy, refiectively.
Yes said grandma, II wrote letter
to your pa, child. 1 hadn't any blotting
paper. but the fire answers the purpose
quite as WE'LL
At that time had never heard OF open
ing letters by steam. Well, we ransacked
the house for the truant letter, but in
vain.
who was it from, aunt?" asked.
How should I know, child?"
But the handwriting-the postmark?"
THE postmark was blurred"
Had 1t foreign stamp?" asked, with
sudden eagerness. Cedric had gone abroad
some months before, and had not heard
of his return.
"A foreign stamp! No. Were you ex-
pecting a foreign letter."
Mo; but it is the unexpected that al
ways happens, you know"
IT'S awfully provoking" said Susette.
Perhaps it was only the recipes Mrs.
Clarke was going to send you"
Nothing more likely; but what has be-
come of it? It's prolonged game Of hunt
the thimble."
"And supposlng it's a letter notifying
you Of the existence of a first Mrs.
Amherst" put in Anne, cor of legacy
left by your forty-fifth cousin in Australia
-" And then the door-bell rang.
Well after that 1 suppose I must have
accepted Mr.. Amherst. Everybody be-
haved as II l had. l received congratula-
tions and a ring, and the parish began
repairs upon the parsonage before could
muster courage to tell Mr.. Amherst all
about Cedric and my mistake, how ]
wasn't at all sure could ever get over
it and care for anybody else, but that
l would do my best. And he smiled in a
sort of absent way when told him, but
seemed content to take me as 1 was, for
better or for worse; only it did strike me
sometimes that he was the most undem-
onstrative lover in Chrlstendom; but ]
hadn't much experience in lovers, and
perhaps they weren't as gushing in real
life as novels pictured. He used to kiss
my hand when we parted; that was all
He was very gentle, but a little sad
fancied. with look which might NEAR
that he was afraid OF so much happiness
or that to marry the woman he loved
wasn't all fancy painted It; and some
times thought had perhaps done wrong
to tell him everything about Cedric 81
unreservedly; yet had only meant to b,
honest. But the day was appointed, and
suddenly Cedric appeared among us, wheI
1 thought he was at the worlds end, anC
he and the girls decorated the church will
white field daisies and grasses for thu
occasion. You may believe that avoided
the sight of Cedric in the interval befor,
| the wedding as much as possible, bu
somehow ] was always stumbling upOi
| him; he seemed to be perpetually at m!
elbow; he surprised me more than ono
with traces of tears upon my face; tn
| sound of his voice made my heart turl
| and CULVER within me. If had dare
| to withdraw at this juncture I'm afrai
/ should have done so; but II was too late
and though felt like hypocrite when