Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-11-17


eutly and honestly"
And that was all he could get out of
her. Having acknowledged her identity
with Barbc for an instant she was the
most uuapproachablc Biddy the next,
and would have pothiug to say save in
tha; character.
"Does your father know of this Bar
bic? What would he say?' perscvered
Arson,
"Sarc ,san' it's not me own fader
would be iutcrfar:n' wild me, would hep
said Biddy.
In vain were all rcmonstrances with
the roguish aud wilful girl, She per
sisted in bcing Biddy, even to him, and
maintlined distance between them
very different from that bctwcenhim and
Barbie in her own proper self. Annoy
ed provoked, chagrined, almost angry,
the advent of his father forced him TO re.
tire from the kitchen, for fear Of bctray-
ing Barbie's secret, which he would not
| have done tor IL great deal.
1t was several hours before he could
return to the house, his father having,
upon one prelcxt or another, detained
him.
When at last they entered together,
kitchen and sitting-room both Of which
had been in most uutidy state when
they left there, had undergone such a
remarkable rcnovating process, that old
Joel drew back at first, thinking that he
had set foot in somebody else's house in
stead Of his own. Supper was smoking
on the table; such supper as lid Joel
at least, had not seen in months To
crown all, Mrs. Shcleubargcr was sit.
tug, propped np with pillows, ia a great
easy chair, aud looking wondronsly con-
tented, aud with reason-the poor lady
had not had woman's hand about hel
since before her Illness. They lived it
such an isolated, inhospitable manner
that very few of their neighbors ever
knew that Mrs Shcllenbarger was no
as well as usual Biddy, as she called
herself, had tidied the poor lady up in
wonderful manner.
Joel Shcl enbarger sat down TO thC
daintiy spread table, and made mos
hearty and kcenly rcished meal, glanc
ing as ance at Bddy meanwhile. An
son. ;rnge to say, ate very little, an,
he watched Biddy as&ance. too.
This was only the beginning Of re
forms this daring girl instituted. First
however, as much for her own peace o
mind as misunderstanding that mothe
and son were last friends aud always o
one opiuion-she told her secret to Mrs
ShelIenbarger, and fairly wheedled tn
good lady into approval. 1t is true tha
she shook her head at first, and looked
wondrously shocked, 1t was charmin!
10 have those little soft hands hutterini
about her, aud to see such brightnes
and comfort sprius up above, that sh
could not, for her own sake, help coun
tenaucng, as much as silence coulC
Biddy's mysterious presence.
| haven't time to give particulars, bu
having made good beginning, with
true Irish facility, Biddy establishc
herself in a very short Time completed
in the good graces of the old man, II
/ had lurking likeness for neatness an
good order, and Mrs. Shelleu ubarger
. poor woman, wasn't a very tidy house
keeper. Under the new reign, orde
grew out of chaos the house seemed i
holiday garb all the time, and an atmo
phcre of social checrfuncss pervadc
= everywhere.
One moraiug, Biddy had said somc
G thing about leaving The day before
the old man ended grnmbling con
= plant of Auson with 81 never see u
t good come of cddication yet. If
hadn t been for that college business 70
e might have taken a linkin' to sensib
. girl, and she to you"
4 He glanced at Biddy as he spoke
. She turnel scarlet and came near drol
> Plug the dish she was holding 1t wa
. net the first time Arson had heard sue
insiauations, aud he rather enjoyed Bic
: dy strepidation.
"See here, father" he said roguishly
e "iust pick me out q wife, and see whf
6 will oop,o of II -
"The only girl know of, worth hay
J. ing, wouldn't have you, dare say
4 would you, Biddy!' Joel said, grun
e blingly, but suddenly turning to the cir
Ansou was smiling malciously Bridl
!, OF O'Flynn had kept Barbie's lover at
e tantalizing and uurelenting distance a
f this time. He was taking his reveng
g now. Making desperate effort, Bidd
rallied her confused sense to say, wit
considerable self-possession:
d "Shure, sir, an it isn't meself that
be after having any man Till I'm asked
"Biddy, will you marry me!' sal
Ansou, gravely extending his hand.
q 81 will that now" said Biddy, promp
ly putting her hand in his, while o.
Joel came near choking himself wit
amazemcnt. 1t was too late TO reced
however, whether he had wished such
,r thtug or not, as they soon made him u