Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-09-21

even before he lighted the gas. Then he
turned to me with joyous eyes; and lean
ing on the chimney piece, asked me laugh
ingly when | would come back and prove
that for myself
81 will come" said, quite, cheerfully,
"m-let me see-in twenty years, per-
haps."
quick earnestness unconsciously laying one
hand upon my arm; "you will come toI
my wedding" :,
"For your wedding ?" ! echoed, as il
the words spoken so simply had bewlldered
me. "Frank, does she really love you 2"
"Why, Max, old fellow, never saw yor
so nervous before. Are you afraid that
am deceiving nyself--or that she is deceiv'
ing meP
"No-never afraid Of that. You kaou
she loves you, Frank ~
eyes, Max, | know it,"
"Then | will come--unless you marry
within ten years. time"
Franks whistle of astonishment broke
into hearty laugh. "a nice little wait
ing time you allow us, Max. We shall
certainly have had leisure to think it well
over"
aft you don't marry until them" went
on, laughing too, " will come. you do,
you must have your big brother represent
ed; and | will come to you for holiday
in ten years. time
"Ten years p unused Frank "what a
weary time to look on to, unless one is
anticipating happy future"
Day after day, until the last hour came,
had shrunk from bidding farewell to Let
tice. Then l just went to her, as | had
gone many and many time before, stand
ing and chatting idly in the pretty room
where we had often been so gay together
AT Frank is to drive here for you in
time to catch the express, you allow us a
very short time indeed" said Mr. Old
field.
"And yet it is a long goodbye" added
Lettice, jestingly; "you are not coming
home for long, long time, are you, MaxF'
Crank and have made an important
arrangement about that" answered, try
ing to jest too, because | fancied she would
understand what he had asked me to do.
81 am going to stay ten years unless he
wants me-"
"If he does not want you, you prefer
staying out there ?"
eyes. What prospect is there of any
one else wanting me %
81 suppose none," she answered quietly,
Gas you say so; but we shall be glad to
see you when you return. Not that you
will care for that either, for you care for
nothing, you know, except fortunizlng your
life"
Her words, in their quiet, simple scorn,
stabbed me to the heart.
"That is a wide word, Lettice," | said,
"and word which even yet have not
fathomed."
"But you expect to do so in Melboume7'
& hope So"
With an odd little laugh she changed
the subject; and very soon Frank drove up
to the gate. Mr.. Oldiield and Amy went
out and stood beside the dogcart, talking
to him, while | followed more slowly.
Lettice came with me, and stood minute
under the bare old lime. tree, with the
winter sunshine on her bright young face.
And looking down upon her-knew
that this picture would dwell in my heart
through all my lonely life
Her testing scorn was all gone now
only her eyes were a little puzzled, and a
little sad.
"You will be quite happy, Max" she
said, "with that happiness which makes
Others happy too"
"Tell me how, Lettice," | cried, the
strong and passionate love of my heart
trembling in my voice. "Tell me how to
win this happiness"
81 can not" she answered, softly. 81
can not teach you what you know Sc
we'll"
Lettice," | said, "my one dearest
friend, this Is the last moment. Give me
some few words of help to take with me
as a sister would have given them to me. y
Very softly, while her clear, sweet eyes
looked bravely into mine, she whispered
the little verse which has been ever with
me since, and has helped me often, as hel
voice could help me in those far off days
There is a cross in every lot,
And an earnest need of prayer;
But lowly heart that leans on God,
Is happy everywhere.
From the gate looked back wistfully to
where she still stood under the winter
branches, and she smiled one bright, quick
smile, and ran in.
Then | sat down beside Frank, and Amy
sprang up, and gave me, with tear-tilleC
eyes, the only kiss among all my sad good
byes.
Later on, in the frosty winter morning
we two brothers, who had been together
all our lives parted on the deck of the great
waiting vessel, with only few broker
words, and one long, close, lingering hand
grasp.
"The ten years are passing, and yor
must keep your promise, Max, and come
| read the words over and over again
1t was not yet ten, but over seven years
since | had set foot in Melbourne, and il
every letter Frank had sent me through
those long years | had expected him to tel
me what he had told me at last. Yet, now
that it was told, the lines seemed to swim
before my eyes, and my fingers would moi
write the glad and congratulatory words
wished to send him.
"Now that my reward is COME" hi
wrote, al claim your promise. We only
DELAY our marriage for your arrival. Max