Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-04-06

1t was not till his fame had been cor
sderabIy noised about, that Bill Elkin
found an opportunity Of introducing hi
friend to 'Hhe belle" The acquaint
auco seemed mutually agreeable, an
was afterwards followed up with per
sistency on the part of the gentIema
that made George Westbrook, all thing
considered, feel more like man thai
II brother
Love may come by degrees, but it
discovery is apt to be sudden. 1t wa
not till he saw its object the placid re
cipent Of another's attentions, tha
George had the slightest suspicion o
the state OF his own heart. Aud ther
it was hot suspicion; it was certainly
revealed as if by u flash.
Had he sought the first opportunity tt
make known his discovery to the persor
Immediately concerned, ten to one i
would led to an equal discovery to her
But he had not sufficient tact or suni
cient experience for that, and was with
al, too proud. He saw another, as he
supposed, preferred to himself, and felt
irritated besides, as he reflected how un.
iavorably his own awkward and discon,
certed manner must have compared
with the self possession and graceful
ease of the city top, the first and only
time they met in NelIies presence.
Young Hastings had then been more
than usually brilliant. He had tal>cd
nothing it is true, but he had talked
that well so well that George was halt
convinced that that was where his
strength lay, and once or twice had
sought to turn the conversation in a dii-
lercnt channel. Whether his efforts had
been spoiled by superior clevcrness or
cool impudencc, was question he found
himself much pcrpleXed to decide. lie
more than suspected he hal rbeen ridi.
culed to his face, and before hers. No
wonder that the next meeting Of George
and Nellie ended in a bitter quarrel,
and parting without explanation.
The hunting excursion on which Bill
Elkins had promised to take his new ac-
quaintance, was, by Bills advice de
ierred. He had lately seen signs Of In
dians in the forests, and, though he felt
confidence in his own aud his friends
power ia anything like fair fight. still
such rascals fight fair; and if anything
should happen it would certainly break
somebody's heart, which would be very
sad to think Of. The hunt was indef
nitcly postponed, and Mr., Hastings be-
came more particular that ever in his
attentions to Nellie.
One night the young people of the
settlement had assembled on one of
those occasions which young people al
ways find of getting together Nellie
Benson and Clarence Hastings, as usual,
were insepNrable; and in more than
one whispering group the question was
discussed, when it was to be. Among
so many disappointed aspirants the
strangers success might have proved a
dangerous trinmph, but each coasoed
his own chagrin by the satisfaction he
felt at tha, of his neighbor.
Mrs. Benson's house was more than
two miles distant, and the honor of es
corting Nellie home was conceded to
Mr.. Hastings The path lay through
the densest part Of the forest, but the
moon shonc brightly, and lovers dreams
are not of danger.
As her attendant grew more than us.
ualIy poctical, Nellie began to find him
just little tircsomc, and caught herself
wondering whether, after all, the stcr-
ling good sense OF George Westbrook
wasn't more desirable accomplishment
than the ability to talk nonsense in
strict accordance with the rules of gram
man.
Whatever might have been the result
of her reflections, she was startled from
them by a horrible yell; and at the
same instant, a hjdeous savage, fright
fully painted aud hrandishiug his toma-
hawk, sprang into the opca moonlight
a few feet in advance.
Nellie convusjvoIy clu1g to the arm
Of her companion, who stood for u mo-
ment petrided with fright, and then tear
ing himself away, and leaving the de-
tencelcss girl to her fate, fled for life
which soon carried him out Of the reach
Of peril.
AS the savage stood over the form Of
the swooning girl, he was sprung upoo
with a bound as sudden as his own
and with the other snatched the toma
hawk from his grasp and raised it to
strike.
Before the blow had time to fall, the
young mans arm was arrested by an ex-
clamNtion, in a familiar voice
"llang it, George, be careful don't
you see lis me?'
"What! Bill Elkins?"
"Don't you see it? Let me go!"
"But what is the meaning of this
Your folly has killed her, and if it has
"Ifi it has you may finish up the job
you were in such hurry 10 begin just
now. J. only wanted TO show Nellie
what cowardly sneak that Hastings
chap is, and maybe took wrong way
of doing it. But see, she's coming to.
Good night, and keep sharp look out
for Indians y
Bill was off
Hastings never stopped till he reached
the house from which he had started.
He was in the midst of thrilling mar