Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-03-19

Her first conviction was that DR..
Troop had acted ungenerously. lie
had taken advantage Of her hasty
speech the day before and only want
ed to see il she would wear the sprig.
A very unjust conclusion, Dell, but
perhaps the best after all, for it rous-
ed your pride and hid your disappoint-
ment.
One would think that with DELI s
quick perceptions she would have
thought to look for the sprig, if for
nothing but to tear it cut in her in
dignation But any of us might have
neglected to do 50, stricken as she
was by the sudden transition from
hope to dispair, and with Aunt jean
nettes tongue twangling in our ears
Meanwhile Doctor Troop was as
much surprised and disappointed as
was Dell. He had know her from a
little Girl. Oflate he had watched
her closely had noticed her shy well
come when he came, and had seen
the mantling blush when he had press
her hand at parting. He had thought
she was not indifferent to him, and he
knew that he loved her with his
whole heart. He had heard of Am.
brose Ye,rick's wooing, but could not
think that Dell would be so deluded
by the glitter of wealth as to wed q
man of his stamp. But he believed it
now-believed what rumor said, that
Yerrick's new outfit was part of the
wedding display. But in his heart he
did not blame Dell She had known
poverty all her life, and had seen
very little in it to make her in love
with it. He could but wish her hap
piness if she could find it with such 6
companion. AS for himself he meant
to go away. He could easier give "
his practice and friends, and go else
where to begin new, than to see he,
the wife of another and that other
Ambrose Yerrick.
Dell heard through gossippine
neighbors of his intentions, and the
speculations in regard to it. She was
glad of it, for his absence would hell
her bear her humiliating secret. Sc
she put a brave face on the matter
aud tried to live as though Doctol
Troop never existed. But IN spite o
all her forced cheerfullness her cheeks
grew pale and her step faltering.
''Dell is ailn',' said Aunt Jeanette
one morning. She had recovered
from her fall and had resumed he
work. "She dont't seem a BIZ lik,
herself"
"She's had hard stretch of it those
last few months, anyway, and sht
ought to have a rest. Let's send lei
to the Station to stay with Preache
Hopkinses' folks for SPELL suggest
ed Uncle Nathan. What say YOU t,
that, Larkie p he said, as Dell entere,
the room.
"What is it? | did not hear
Glow would you like to 90 away
for awhile? ?"
$50 away! What for, and where {?
exclaimed Dell in surprise.
"To the Station, to visit,
To the Station! That was the las
place in the world for her, for Docto
Troop was there yet, so she answered
quickly:
$50 away now and leave Aun
Jeanette with all the fall work t.
do? No, indeed. | don't want t.
go to any place. Why do you wan
me to go?"
"Because you amt well. Your
all run down. said Aunt Jeanette
"Tm not sick, only little lanSuid,
replied Dell, YEARLY.
"Well, something's the matter
You don't look nor act like yourself
I think, Nathan, you'd better see Doc
tor Troop before he goes away, ant
have him come and give her som
medicine"
81 don't want any medicine, and i
he comes | won't see him!" and De-
darted out of the room like n rocket
"What ails the girl, anyhow, te
speak like that ?" said Aunt Jcannette
looking after her in astonishment.
This will never do,.' said Dell, a
she threw herself on the floor of he
little room. The first thing I kno,
they will have him here to prescrib
| for mo and make fun of me. won
stand it. | wish he was in in Bally
hack. Why dou't he so off, as
heard he was long ago? What doe
all me, anyway? | don't feel lik