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

liiuN tho hiou 40 Siu'O W ihotulC 40 ~
name, when he turned his black eyes OF
me and asked: ... ....-
Have you visited this section before
| saw by the half hidden merrimen
that lurked in those jetty depths. he die
possess irritable qualities. This gay,
piquance to my efforts to please W.
chatted coseyly as we rode along, unit
his excellent language and innate refine
ment showed me | had misjudged him.
AT Fern Dell I was received with oper
arms, deluged with kisses, and soon
made at home. For few days | missed
Conrad and contemptuously avoided
Mr.. Grave; but, finding this would never
do, reused myself by Sunday, resolved
to make stir. My uncle's family were
good "Hicksite' friends, End started early
to meeting. After they had called me
several times, appeared upon the por-
tico, robed in dashy suit of blue satin,
with other things to accord, while out.
side my glove flashed the diamond clus-
ter, which sealed my engagement with
Mr.. Mclean. No wonder my aunt and
uncle opened their eyes. saw disap-
probation in their faces before aunt said,
My dear child, thee would have been
more appropriately dressed in thy trav.
elling suit
ooh, no, indeed / could not think of
wearing that to church, replied quickly.
Or meetings, Elsie, are for the aoor-
ship of the Almighty, and not for shoao.'
felt the rebuke, and answered, impa,
tiently:
Then I will not 60 at all If my
wardrobe is not suitable for this place,
| had better 60 home
Get into the carriage, child l am
sorry | wounded thee
Aunt Martha's tones showed how
panied and surprised she was. Glancing
at Mr.. Grave, l read in his eyes stern
reproof, and was heartily ashamed.
% aunt! l cried, blushing, please
forgive that unladylke speech. l will
change my dress this minute.
No, DEAR interrupted uncle; it is
late, and, after all, if the heart is right,
it does not matter so much about the
dress. Only, Elsie, though thee may be
able to worship Sin spirit snd in truth
when thus arrayed, remember thee is
apt to divert the minds Of those who are
not accustomed to such thing, from bet
ter and purer meditations. But, come,
we must be off, i
Never had my conscience troubled me
as it did that day. l created stir, as
| had desired, but felt that in so doing l
made myself responsible for all the good
seed that might be lost that day. Inever
saw any harm in persons dressing as
they chose, but before | Quilted that lit
tie brown meeting house, 1 ackno owledged
that when zone was in Rome, it was best
to do as the Romans did.
Upon my uncle's farm stood an old
moss-covercd mill, that had not been
used for many years. Strolling that
way one morning entered, and per-
ceiving it uuoccupied, threw down my
hat, tucked up my dress, and began
dancing. The favorites of the ballroom
followed each other in quick succession,
and these being exhausted, resorted to
the fancy role. The scene must have
been rather picturesque; my light curls
falling to the waist, clothes tucked up to
my boot-tops, and for framework, the
old ruined mill. AS l knelt in one fig
ure, assuming a listening attitude, |
glanced upward and beheld Mr.. Grave,
reclining on rafter overhead. In cou-
fusion, | caught up my hat to beat a
hasty retreat, when the object of my dis.
comtiture swung himself down in front
of me.
Il am sorry to have disturbed you,
Miss Elsie. Do not be displeased, for |
assure you shall never forget the pleas
ure you unconsciously afforded me-.
Thus treasured, could not forbear
laughing.
you must have thought me demeuted
to rush in here, throw down my hat, and
set to dancing as if for wager
My admiration conquered every other
emotion was his gallant rejoinder.
We'll, the truth is, the spell was on
me, and embraced the first opportu-
nifty for its indulgence
Il thank the fates for allowing me to
be present.
What were you doing here? l Thought
he old mill deserted.
so it is by others. | came here to
read
Il regret that I disturbed you
Il am glad. The treat was all the
more acceptable for being unexpected.
Don't you dance Mr. Grave?
Not at ALL
Then you must let me teach you, and
we'll begin now.
He bushed to the roots of his hair,
exclaimiug:
'Oh, no, Miss Elsie I-I-indeed
you must excuse me. II is impossible.
Nonsense You are not conscien-
tiously opposed to it, are your
Yes; our sect prohibits it,
| saw this was but subterfuge, and
resolved to carry my point.
We'll, if that's so, just sit down here,
and I'll relieve you of all religious scru-
ples.'
Ensconced upon the sill Of window
overlooking the dam and watercourse, |
began my proselyting.