Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-04

Just such things all the time Tn going
to Ascension with him. don't want to
hear anybody preach but dear Uncle Paul"
Millicent's checks flushed crimson; there
was choking feeling in her throat, and
her lips were dry. Through and through
her brain went echoing that name, Miss.
Craymcr; and again she asked herself.
Did Paul know itl Did he see the timid
glance, the varying color2 did he divine
the quick confusion of her manner, or even
the pains which she took to hide it Z and
might that not be one of the reasons why
he was anxious to leave st. Mary's! Dear,
self-forgetting Paul!
All at once there came over her an
overpowering sense of this mans worth
and grandeur of character. Was he not
a prince among men who she had refused
because he would not yield to her in hui
moring her selfish whims2 Oh, how the
love, true, real, tempestuous, surged up in
her heart Just then What had she done z
Wrecked her life's happiness, perhaps
Paul had right to despise her now; per-
haps he would some time forgot her; this
sweet faced girl might win him at last.
And for moment Millicent hated Miss.
Craymer furiously.
care you going in to rehearsal to-
night ~ asked little Stella, after long ST.
lenCe.
Eyes; is it time2" And Millicent hur-
riedly threw on her wraps, telling herself
that she must see Miss Craymer-not that
she longed to meet Paul-longed to throw
herself upon his bosom, and say, II will
90 to the worlds end with you, if you will
only take me back"
So Stella and Millicent found their way
into the organ-loft. Miss Craymer was
playing, and Mr.. Jackson, the long beared
tenor, filled the church with his sonorous
voice.
As Millicent entered, the quiet little
organist turned, and their eyes met; but
this time it was Millicent's glance that
fell, her cheek that crimsoned, her bosom
that heaved with an agitation not to be
controlled for Paul was there, standing
very near Miss Craymer, and he hardly
looked up.
Millcent was fit for nothing that even
ing. By fits and starts she was gay, but
her usually steady voice was tremulous
Not once had Paul spoken to her, and al,
ways before he had sought her out sug-
gested here, commended there.
All the singers were talking about it.
with whisperings and sly glances; but hel
heart was crying out, "Oh, Paul, Paul,
have lost you"
So the time went on, and Millicent was
too proud to take the first step TOWARD
reconciliation. Paul became the rector o
Ascension, and was much of the day busy
with his parish duties; so she saw him bu
seldom.
J What was st. Mary's now to Millicent
with all its pomp and show, without Paul
} A good man took his place, man upoI
whose locks had fallen more than sprink
ling of the SHOWS of age-ths father OF {
whole pewful of children, little Stella said
, and his voice was not musical, nor his man
ner graceful, though he was great in gifts
Millicents old friends lost their charms
, her splenddly bound prayer-book becam
hateful to her, and she often carried Stel
, las plain little morocco, which was gil
to the child from Paul.
t alt seems to me Paul is never at home
Q even to his meals" said his mother, haI
, fretfully, one day. "lwsh he could mar
! ry and take a house downtown"
"He is going to-" said the merchant.
"What !" exclaimed Mrs. Regley.
;, Millicent grew cold to the heart.
81 mean ne is going DOWNTOWN" tn
elder son said, laughing at the constern'
ton he had created. 81 don't know aboy
s the marrying. | always said Paul woul
r be the single man of the family. But b
d told me only yesterday that he was lool
r ing for boarding place. I'm sure don
q see where he will find one suitable in thu
: part of the city, unless he goes to Mr.
Craymer's; she keeps few boarders net
the Park"
How like dagger every word struc
d upon Millicencs ear She left the roo
|, soon after, and in the privacy of her ow
apartment wept and struggled with he
a self.
|. "What shall I do? I can not lose him
Is she cried, in agony.
Y. This was on Sunday morning.
t Presently Stella knocked at her door.
"Oh, Millicent' she cried, as she !
her in, "wOn't you 90 to Ascension wi
m mel Uncle Paul can't come for me;
n. has an extra service. lie said you wouIdr
id 90 to Ascension; but you will, won't you
10 "He said | wouldn't got" queried Mil
+. cent, her heart throbbing hotly.
Eyes; | told him maybe you won
r take me, and he said no, he never expec
ed to see Miss Millicent in Ascension"
in well p seeing that the child hest
~ ted.
err "Then he said, if he only might,
Mt something like it, and looked so sad. B
ke | told him yes, knew you would; a
you will, won't youi | don't like 5
tn Mary's Bit" she added, with child
r. energy. wont you2'
lis "Yes, dear, I'll 60 with you," said Nil
cent, crowding down a great sob; d
H. Stella was radiant. So Millicent quiet
arrayed herself, feeling very humble, b
d. withal, more really happy than she h
h. ever been in all her life before.
Il 1t was little late, and the choir "
We singing as Millicent entered the old g.
doorway, following the impetuous child
ISIS the minister's seat, near the chancel. Pr
saw her, and a strange, sweet pes
Z" dropped into his soul.
"And little child shall lead them"
ID, thought, with a swelling bosom.
knew Millicent we'll enough to augur &c
an from her presence. lie did not look
d. when she rose from her knees, but INT
than one in that vast congregation thous
to- that day what Millicent and little Ste
ne had said -
tie lie looks like an angel! !"
int That evening he spoke to Mlllicent
H." they met in the hall.
mt evil you go with me, Millicent, to l