Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-04-25

| lnclH. DOHJ was uOG SOWING. pUc Heli
the work, it is true, but her hand never
moved toward the needle. She did not
hear a word that was uttered but when
ut last there came a pause, she dropped
the muslin and started to her feet
"lf you please, Uncle, she said
"there's something | must tell. can't
keep it secret any longer. 1t isn't a bad
tling-it's a good thing; only | knew
you'd be angry. I'm going to marry Dr..
Rush,
Georgina and Millicent screamed in
chorus.
eve don't care for losing the money"
said Dolly. " Money isnothing compared
with love; but we want to be friends here
at home AS for things lett in wills, it's a
miserable sort Of hope. I'm glad sha'n't
have any. Ifyou'll only not be angry,
and come to see u.s. and let us come to see
you, that's all we hope. lies perfectly
splendid, dear Richard Rush is love
him awfully, and he loves me awfully,
and we're to be married this day month,
no matter what anybody says"
You are, ell (" said Uncle Gillet.
eyes, sir" said Dolly;
sand he knows my opinions 2,
"Of course said Dolly. Gle knows
that except the two or three hundred
dollars have for clothes, I'll never have
a penny"
Then make fools of yourselves if you
like" said Uncle GilIet.
you'll come to the wedding, won't
you ~ asked Dolly.
mo; but I'll let your sisters 60" said
Uncle Gillet. 81 never 90 to weddings
or executions"
So the wedding came off.
Dolly, in white muslin, married her
Richard Rush. Geor2ina and Nllieent
wept, as custom required, and spoke of
their sister as "poor Dolly.' They were
very kind, as to a beloved, but misguided
lnnatic, and gave her useful presents, and
promised to " do all they could for her"
Dolly did not feel that she needed any
thing. They seemed poor to her, those
heresses who had no one to love them.
She went to her husbands home, and
never a cloud cane between them. and
never q change fell upon their love.
Uncle Gill.t never made them q pre-
sent, but lie came to dine sometimes, and
always kissed the last baby. AS for the
Misses GiIlet, they had no means at COM
mand though they had such fine prospects.
Oliver Robb had been dismissed long be-
fore by Georgina. She had told him plain
ly that she could not sacrifice mammon
to love. And Mlicent had had another
meeting with Rufus King in the orchard.
" Its the last time, Milly,' Rufus had
said. 81 can't 60 on offering myself for
ever; but love you better than my life,
and always shall.'
81 like you, Rufus" said Milly, "and it
seems hard; but uncle will not relent ]
c4n't lead poor woman's life even for
you"
Then goodbye. Milly," said Rufus.
"There's no love where money can be set
against it."
SO they parted. And now Georgina
was forty, and Milly thirty. eight, and
Dolly thirty-tive
Business was worse with the doctor. A
richer practitioner had taken much Of his
practice.
DR.. Rush trudged over the low country
in all weathers and at all hours; and so
one night some rufian who did not know
how'empty his wallet was, attacked him
in lonely place, and left him for dead.
A farmer going hOmeward early carried
him home in his wagon, and he was cared
for as well as might be, but broken leg
and dislocated shoulder are no light
matters, and Dolly hardly knew what to.
do or where to turn. She was only sure
of one thing, her love for her Richard
which grew greater with every trial.
For the sake Of this she put her pride
down. And leaving the servant with her
husband one day, trudged over to her I'M
cle's house. AS she drew near, she refec.
ted on the fact that she was actually in
need of charity. 1t was bitter thought.
She paused within sight of the house,
hardly daring to 60 on; and as she did
so, the door opened and servant came
out, who stopped for moment and re-
entered and as she closed the door a
black streamer Haunted in the air. There
was Grape on the door. Some one was
dead.
Faint with terror, Dolly hurried on. In
the hall, her sisters, who had seen her
coming, fastened tolneet ber. Uncle Gil
let was dead. lie had expired suddenly
at the dinner table, and the ladies were
overcome with grief and excitement. But
they put their arms about Dolly and
promised her to do all they could,
Just now it isn't much" said Geor-
gina. "But we shall be rich women, and
will help you constantly"
81 knew poor DR.. Rush couldn't get
on" said Milly. "Poor dear man He
shall see we can be friends; and if you
like, we'll take two of the children"
"Never that" said poor Dolly. Thank
you; but they are our jewels"
Georgina sighed.
"Uncle meant kindly" she said. "But
it is hard. We're lonely sometimes, Dolly.
Milly only meant that"
Then Dolly's heart melted.
"They shall come to see you often"
she said ....... .r.
And she went into the still room and
wept over the quiet figure lying there;
and went home again with her dole of
wine and jelly, and few dollars. ...
"We'll be able to do go mnch more"
said .Milly, "when the will has been read"
You've paid dearly for yielding 10
me, Dolly" said the suffering man, as she
ministered to him. "Don't you wish you
were still Miss Gillet and ep hsiress9"