Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-05-01

Mr.. Bonsall looked as if some one
had thrown wet towel in his face.
Why, Mary Anne! What's that
for 2"
you'll find out soon enough. Go
along, do, and leave me in peace"
Mr.. Bronsall was always very meek
when his wife took these rare fits Of
plain speaking, and he shut the door
without another word. Mrs. Bonsall
sat looking at the fire with an express
sion of vexation, which gradually
changed to one OF kindness.
"After all it might be worse,' said
she, speaking to the fire: Nancy is a
good soul, and as sweet as honey.
She will make him happy, and be hap
py herself, and it will be good for the
boy. But 7 think I see Bonsall's face
when he hears of it!
For two hours, my uncle sat look
ing through his office window with
out even thinking of his letters. Then
he drew deep breath, as of one re.
lieved of doubt, and turned to his
correspondence. He did not 60 home
to dinner, but left the Office early,
stopping at Il florists where he bought
some beautiful hot-house flowers, and
two nice hyacinth bulbs in pretty
glasses, which last he sent to Mrs.
Saunders.
"Father, may | go up and see Tom
Saunders 2" asked Alick after tea
Aunt Nancy was sitting at her work
table, fresh and neat from top to toe.
She was composed as usual, but my
uncle fancied he observed q slight
change in her manner toward himself
Probably Alexis remarks might have
disturbed her little.
"Certainly, my son. And be sure
to ask, particularly, how Mrs. Saun
ders finds herself quite forgot il
this morning. l was the more ready
to let Alick 90 as | wish to consult
you on matter Of great importance
to us BOTH And then, in his usua
kind, somewhat formal manner, he
opened the subject He was desirous
he said, ofgoingabroad for some time
perhaps for some years. He though
the change would be good for Alick
who showed signs of delicate lungs.
Aunt Nancy's heart futtered, ant
her color went and came but she hat
long been schooled in selfcontrol, anc
she made no other sign. !'1t went b'
for long!" said the quiet, breaking
heart to itself, little guessing wha
was in store.
Ny uncle continued. | don't know
exactly how he worded it but he made
it plain that neither he nor the boy
could live without Nancy. Would
Nancy consent to become his wife, ant
be mother to Alck in fact, as she haC
long been in name? And so in Al
hour the matter was all settled.
"We are asked to Il wedding! !! sale
Mrs. Bonsall to her husband some 81,
weeks afterward.
"a Neutrality-suspicious. wedding 2
asked Mr.. Bonsal, not greatly interes
ted.
"Nancy Howard's!' y
"Nancy Howard's-you don't mear
- The idea which occurred to Mr.
Bonsall fairly struck him dumb.
Yes; Nancy and McFarlane!" an
swered his wife, enjoying her lords dis
comfiture. "They are to be married
at st. Paul's, very quietly, and sail fo
Europe as soon as possible
"The deuce they are. And after al
| said to him!
"Atter all you said to him!' echoed
Mrs. Bonsall. 1.-The moment you tolC
me what you said to him, and especial
ly as to Nancy's being talked about
knew you had made the match
You could have got him to marry ole
Miss Paget in the same way"
"But slch a sacrifice, Mary Anne !!
''Oh, well, don't know. dar'
say he might feel it a little of a sacri
flee just at first; but by this time he
has persuaded himself that there nov
er was such woman, aud that the
favor was all on her side. l don
think, for my part, McFarlane vii
ever regret it.
And | don't think Uncle McFarlan,
ever did
-FRoM THE ALDINE for May.