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

power to change his purpose.
"Proud and worldly" how the words
rang in his ear his Millicent-his angel
of home that was to be "proud and
worldly"
At last Millicent coldly arose, and, with
shining eyes and trembling lips, pro
nounced the words that shut out hope
from his heart.
"NIlliccnt, my Lowell my love !" he
reiterated, in voice of anguish, "you
can not surely mean it. Sotriiiing amat-
ter must not separate us. You are not
yourself now by-and-by you will revoke
this cruel decision"
81 do mean it, Paul. From this time
forth we are only friends" and she swept
out of the room.
lie tried to think that she could not be
IN earnest, that tlGs mood would pass
away and leave her better nature chance
to assert itself. He was mistaken. She
was coldly polite at the breakfast'tab
next morning, absent at lunch-time, anC
quite and distant at dinner; so much ST
that it set everybody, even the butler, tc
wondering what had happened.
1t was at the close of that unhappy day
he threw himself, sick at heart, upon the
sofa in the west parlor, where they had Sc
often sat together Little Stella fount
him there, his face buried in his folded
arms, and she came lightly forward an(
touched his hair.
As he started up, almost wildly, the
child laughed. His soul had thrilled tt
the hope that it might have been Millicent
repentant.
"Why, Uncle Paul, how queer yol
look !" said Stella, moment after, quite
sobered.
"Do II It's the freight, perhaps,
he answered, YEARLY.
"Where's Milicent2" asked the child
accustomed to see them together.
81 don't know, my darling" and thel
he held his breath, and Stella touched hi
arm softly, with an Srch look,
Mllicent had entered, thinking Paul ha(
gone out, as was his wont on that particu
lar day of the week. She came forward
slowly, her soft, rich robes trailing along
the carpet, and started at sight of Pau
and Stella, both regarding her with in
tent eyes. Then she made movement a
if TO return, but checked herself, walked
quietly past them with a smile for Stella
not for Paul, and stood at the window a
the further end of the room, her slende
form perfectly defined, even in the fas
deepening twilight shadows.
Stella turned her attention upon he
uncle again. She felt uncomfortable
Something in Paups eyes, as he caugh
the glance of Millicent, gave her vagu
discomfort, child though she was, and sh
fell to smoothing his hair and kissing him
Millicent stood like statue.
Uncle Paul, won't you tell me story
coaxed Stella, after pause.
"My little one, I'm all out Of stories,
said Paul, in changed voice.
But please tell me one of the oil
ones" the child pleaded; "only one, an
| won't ask you for another. It's lon
time since you told me the Rosa story
All, darling Uncle Paul, don't say no"
81 have told it a hundred times, Stella,
said Paul, anxious to be gone.
"NQ matter; come, begin-1'll hel
you,n the child responded, gleefull.
"You needn't say you were called out {
late hour one night, but begin whel
, you saw the woman. What did she say
"She said she was dying" repeate
| Paul, listlessly.
; "And poor little boy"
"a poor little boy stood sobbing at he
t bedside"
but it wasn't a boy :" continued Stell
f with renewed interest
S "No it was little girl dressed in boy
clothes She had supported her moth
by playing tho violin on the street. ar
! the dress was her protection-at least HI
f mother compelled her to wear it, hopil
!, it might save ler from rudeness."
"And the mother had been alady."
n eyes, once; years before"
d "But she didn't die, after all"
b. "No; with proper nourishment al
medical care she recovered" said Pal
i evidently talking with an effort.
It "Then you found that little Rosa was
e genius, didn't you, and got her to scho'
a and dressed her up nicely! And that W
It years ago; and now she's a young lad
e and we all think so much Of her, dol
we, Uncle Paul !"
a "Yes, dear"
a Millioent turned, swept softly by the
+. like shadow, and went out Of the roo
"Uncle Paul, I love you dearly" ST
r, the sensitive child, watching the yearni
10 look with which he gazed after the retre
/ ing figure.
1. "God bless you, little one!" he answ
II ed, in broken voice.
a land you do look just like an angel
r your white robes, in St. Mary's on ST
days" She bent closer to him, till |
d innocent lips reached his ear. entitled
y said that once; she said you looked Ii
an angel"
i A heavily drawn, almost sobbing bre'
ID was the answer. Poor Paul he had f
re- given the impetuous girl; the flame of
ie love burned higher than ever.
III Not long after that Stella ran into Mi
cents room.
!; There | forgot" she cried, in chi
n, ish dismay, as she caught Millicent bru
er ing handkerchief over her eyes.
he ought to have knocked. Please forg
to me, Millicent."
It, "You are always welcome, DEAR" N
ps Dunallan said, gently.
edo you know what ails Uncle Pau
OF queried Stella.
w Millicent lifted her head in her {
ly naughty fashion.
m, 81 know2n she answered. How
to l tell, child9 Your uncle has his moe
nd like other folks, suppose"
nd "Oh !" and Stella turned her eyes
lis ward the glowing CRATE. The light sh'
ng on her clustering curls, on the wise Ii
face resting on one tiny hand. 81 thou
ar maybe you were displeased with hi
us she added, artlessly she looked so.