Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-10-19
The LONG CORRIDOR


that his father would oppose their mar
riage. He was a sophomore at Harvard.
and Henrietta was studying music with
Madame Frisonne in Boston. Mrs. Sears,
the girls chaperone and aunt, had warned
the youth that the attachment must be
broken. mot that 1 or Mrs. schouler
object for you are a nice boy, Edwin;
but your father would rather see you
dead than allied to the Schoulers by mar
rage. Why7 ! can't tell you-go and
ask your father"
SO Edwin hurriedly packing a bag,
rushed to his parents big New York
office, blurted out the story OF his love
for the pretty music student, and de-
manded the reason for an anticipated
opposition. There was a quarter OF an
hour of storming,-an incoherent damna-
ton by the old man Of everything con-
nected with the Schoulers, and a sweep
Ing Characterization Of the family that
brought the young man to his feet almost
screaming with rage-before an explana-
ton was offered. Then old Dumble said
tersely:
"Old Schouler was my secretary once.
Your mother was his sister; he trotted
her around to me when he found out that
wanted a wife, and / married her. Be-
fore your mothers death Schouler mar
| ried his second cousin, a woman OF no
"
trying to get hold Of me ever since. This
daughter has been shipped from st. Louis
| to Boston to study this fol-de-rol French
singing. and-mark my words, boy-and TO
: take you I'M You've been taken In, too,
easily enough.
But" the old mans voice was raised
in anger. you must not see that
creature again.
"Creature!" cried young Dumble. start
ing up from his chair. "Sir, you must not
say that again! Henrietta Schouler Is
the dearest. best girl on earth, and"
Edwin controlled himself with an effort
"There Is no use wasting words be-
tween u.s." said the father. speaking
| quietly now. II can never consent to
| your marriage with that GIRL cannot
consent to have you see her again. Mrs.
Sears agrees with me. Now, will you
give me your word as a gentleman--as
| my son-not to try to see her IL you go
back to CambridgeH
No" replied the son, II love Henrietta
better than my own life. I shall marry
her, whatever you say or do" Then, Tor
a time. the two stood face to face. The
father turned from his gaze and began to
pace the thickly carpeted floor OF his big
office, and presently the son was measur-
ing the opposite limit Of the room. And
80. for half an hour At last the old
brewer stopped to see his son and say:
II am quite determined that this mar
rage shall not take place. You would
do well not to try to force 1t. am pre-
pared to go to any extent to prevent It.
Now, go back to Cambridge with this
thought before you always: shall
thwart every attempt you make to see the
girl and win make II absolutely impossible
for you to marry her. hope you will re-
cover from this madness"
The old mans tones were so even
so controlled. that the boy suspected
a disposition to yield. He began to plead
SAYING that the girl was worthy, beaut-
, ful-everything desirable. But the thun'
dercloud began to gather. and the inco'
herent pleading was stopped by fierce
|, oath.
GO now. my son, before we quarre
. further" said the old man quietly,
Young Edwin went back to Cambridge
leaving his father TO an hour OF fierc'
anger. then a night OF active planning
' When the rumble Of the milk carts in tn
, deserted streets announced the morning
the old man went home and to bed will
smile of confidence.
''It will be unusual and little hard t
: manage. but 1t won't hurt them! a
$ muttered before going 20 sleep.
Mrs. Sears. co-plotter with Mrs. Schoul
err, was entirely satisfied with the resul
OF Edwin's visit to his father; the youtl
I came back to her with a pitiful pleadin
n TO be allowed to see Henrietta. But sh
: had to deny him, she said. Her plan wa
2 to force an elopement, and the boy mus
h be goaded to very frenzy OF desire. Sh
n | privately determined to allow their mex
|, attempted meeting. which was due with
two days But when that time had ar
q rived she was thunderstruck to find tina
7 another plotter had entered the game
that Henrietta had been. in some mex
O plicable way, spirited away from he
: house. half an hour before the young ma
Il made his back yard entry to deserte
: first-fioor parior.
, AS the youth opened the Searss fror
n door on the evening following his bun
n glarious entry, the girls aunt met hin
a wild-eyed and distraught.
: "Ohi where have you taken Henrietta
d where is the child?" Mrs. Sears was
X an agony Of fear.
\. Up uueried the astonished boy.
70 have not seen her for months. Oh! whit
/" has become of her--why did not see M
lie last night?" Mrs. Sears promptly fainte
10 and was given over to the care OF M
maid Edwin could get nothing mol
d from her But he was determined to fir
e. Henrietta and marry her at once.
d In a delirium OF fear for the girl ar
ne rage at his own cursed stupidity,
e. started to walk back to his rooms
err Cambridge. He never got to them. +
Is disappeared from the college world
to completely as though the earth had opel
ig ed to swallow him.
Of On the top Of Cardigan mountain
New Hampshire, a stern-faced old mi
he directed the labors of two score Of wor
he | men. This horde had suddenly descend
tn upon the peaceful hill village two da
n before, and straightway began the ere
Id ton on the mountain top Of curious
do divided substantial structure, whei
ed II was announced a certain rich meteo
is. illogical experimenter was to spend I
n winter and spring. II was a matter
IN snow formation and precipita ton, it W
to said, in which Professor Butler was
N. terested. Two days from the appearan
Of the workmen the last nail was drive
he and a train OF wagons, loaded with
lid winters supply Of food and clothing. "
I'M started for the top. And that eveniI