Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-03-09

: cape. This Set me langhin1, thougt
: my tears flowed copiously, and | was il
no enviabIe state when I reached III,
! room. There could be but one iuerpre
tation of Mr.. Crave conduct. He lovet
me, and l?-I am the promised bride
of Conrad Mclean. There is 10 room
; in my heart but for him. | said, reso
lutely, answering my mental query
aloud. ", sI"' 90" '
Uncle came to tea alone.
J where is Herbert 2 asked Aunt Mar.
tina.
He was obliged to leave hurriedly on
business, and wished me to say to Elsie
here he hoped she would pardon his
rudenesS. | told him she wouldn't think
i'll of him for leaving without adicus
when business demanded. That was
right, eh Z?
Perfectly right, uncle 1 answered,
but saw much more in Herbert Grave s
message than did they.
Several days elapsed, and Herbert did
not return. | had avoided the mill
since he left, but could no longer resist
the desire to 20 thither. Pushing open
the door, | walked it. The silence
thrilled me and, seated in the window
overlooking the brook, leaned my head
against the old, worn frame, and know
ing | was far out of hearing,
II shut up the door and my ears,
And opened my heart and my tears
What is the matter, Elsie ! Starting,
| looked up to see Mr. Grave beside me.
Without waiting for my reply, he con-
tinued: Il have something TO say to
you
There was none Of the old bashrulnes5
left as, seating himself beside me, he
took my hand and, touching the diamond
cluster, asked:
Has that ring any Significance,
ElseN
If ever was attempted to falSity, it
was then; bit the stern honor looking at
me through lIerbert's black eyes forced
the answer, Yes
'Will you tell me what it signifes:'
Richard was himself again, aud |
replied, carelessly: 1T shows | am en-
gagged to marry Mr.. Mclean. Would
you like to see his picture?'
Il would
Drawing 'photo' from my pocket
diary, gave it TO him. After few
moments contemplation, he said:
DO you love this mau?'
'Of course
He gave me a searching look. Elsie,
ceuld you love me?'
felt the blood mount TO my cheeks,
as my eyes fell before his.
you forget l am engaged
IF you were not engaged, Elsie Tell
me how it would be if you were not en'
gaged?'
He bent toward me eagerly, AMI placed
his arm around my waist. The sense
Of probity my mother had inculcotcd
was touched, and l LETT my seat.
But, Mr.. Grave, l am engaged
He turned away. There was mo-
mcnt's silence. Presently he said, ad-
vanciug:
Forgive me, Miss Hayes. l have
insuItcd your constancy, but you know
the motive that prompted. Shall | see
you to the house'
That evening Herbert bade me good
by, saying he should not return, ! grew
restless after his departure, and left for
New York.
A few weeks served to show me how
materially my tastes had altered during
the summer months. Mr., Mclean did
not satisfy me. The engagement was
broken off, and in short time I was
forgotten for another. The winter
dragged. AT the first breath of June
| started for NJ ryiand. At Fern Dell l
was made heartily welcome, and very
thankfully ] received its hospitaIities.
After the first words of greeting, aunt
remarked: Il am very sorry Herbert
cannot be here to keep thee company,
but his business in Boston will not per-
nit him to leave Did ] care?
Early the next morning | fastened
to the old mill, peered into every nook
and corner, till at length espied lad
der, before unknown. Ascending it.
found myself near the rafter from which
Herbert had watched my dancing, while
close under the caves lay a book, warped
and mouldy. Securing the prize, | de-
scended to the window. 1t p"nved 10
be a book Of poems. Upon the il Ioa,
was written the name Of Herbert Grave.
and beneath, % Elsie dislike ue uoI
for my complexion, the shadow d liv'ry
of the burnish' d SUM- The heart of the
gnarfed oak is sound, and y0,trs, dated
the year before.
Dear Herbert Noble Herbert II
cried, kissing the faded characters, then
started lest | had been overheard. But,
no, | was monarch of all | surveyed, I
and silence my prime minister After
that the old mill became my Mecca,
where l wrote, read, Or sewed, as incli
nation prompted.
Thus a month passed. One beautiful
morning, sketch-book in hand, | en-
sconced myself in the old window, but
soon my thoughts and eyes wandered
far away. A leaf came floating down
the stream, and thinking aloud | said,
dreamily: Herbert used to call such
leaves old prejudices, that were cast off,
and went floating away on the stream