Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-08-21
WOODSTOCK, W., THURSDAY, AUG. 81, 1878.

rive, among them was cousin Charlie
Hazlet, from New York. Grace had
spent the last summer in his native
town, and had given me rare accounts
of his manly beauty, his talent and
fascination. | was prepared for a
great flirt, and had solt of nervous
dread of him. He came. He was
handsome, tall and dark and slender,
with naughty, or rather earnest way
of looking at one as though he read
ones thoughts. AT times, however,
he was so gay and brilliant that | lost
my horror of him, and we grew very
cousinly.
He remarked Louises beauty to me
one day, but did not seem to notice
her again for some days.
Belle Raymond, one of Grace's
bridesmaids, was all admiration for
Charlie, and one day asked me if | was
not sorry he was my cousin.
l was very obtuse, and could not
understand her meaning.
l took Bellies arm, and walking
straight up to Charlie, said: "Belle
thinks l ought to be sol.y you are my
cousin. Can you imagine any reason
why | should wish youless than a cous-
in 2"
What ever possessed me to say such
words!
He looked her searchingly in the
face until the rich color came into her
clear olive cheek, and her grey eyes
fell to the floor
Then turning to me, he said: CA
mong my relatives / number my best,
almost my only friends, and | an glad
to find in you, also, both a cousin and
friend"
Was this the firt l had been warn
ed against? "IIe is too brotherly to
be much of a triher, thought l. But
Belle said confdentially:
81 am afraid of him; he means mis-.
chief"
The wedding came off gloriously.
Grace wore white tarleton and orange
blossoms, and looked "too sweet for
anything" little Lille said.
The house was full of company for
nearly a week, and Louise did every
thing and looked so beautiful that
people asked in astonisment. "Who
she could be?'' 1 could only tell them
she was our SHRED girl"
The day after the wedding we all
went to the depot to see the young
couple off, and left Louise to care for
the house.
We returned in the twilight, and as
we rode slowly up the drive, the sound
Of music came softly from the open
parlor windows. Willie drew up the
reins and we listened eagerly.
A gay, cheerful song, sweet and
clear as the notes of a bird Now up,
up, then huttering down softly as if
satisfied with its flight, and going to
rest. We were unheard by the singer
as we alighted, and we walked straight
into the parlor, "to see the bird"
"Why Louise | cried, "why did
you never tell us you sang so beauti-
fully? You might have entertained
us so often had we known it,"
81 believe that you only specified
that l should have no scruples about
being 'bossed.' | did not suppose you
cared to have me inform you of my
accomplishments
"Come," said Will, "your candle
has been under bushel long enough.
Now let it shine for our enlighten.
ment.'
"Sing us another, please do" and
Charlie advanced, as he spoke, to the
piano, and gracefully urged her to be
reseated.
"Would you not be afther havin
some tay, gintlemen, afther your long
exhaustin drive said Louise gaily,
in true Biddy fashion, by way Of ex-
cuse from singing.
1--WE have had tea at the Ellis, ]
thank you, Miss O'Flaherty," answer
ed Willie, "and nothing will appcase
us but music
SO Louise sang. Willie sat by and
drank in every word. Charlie turned
the music for her as she sang some Of
my pieces, and, at her request, added
Il bass to some fthe choruses.
Willie grew uncomfortable as he
heard how beautifully their voices
mingled in the songs, and coming ove1
to me by the window, he said quite
confdentially: "Why on earth cam
I sing, Flo?"