Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-07-02
WHOLE NO. 1865

back in apiece of woods through which
flowed little brook between banks of
green moss, and its surro undings were
very suggestive, to say nothing Of the
name. A kind Of thrill passed over
me, for what could Mr.. Bacon want of
me but one thing ? And it was fatter-
ing enough to any girls vanity to
have this reserved, intellectual man
unbend enough to ask her, a thought
less girl, to be his wife. So ran my
thoughts, but my reply was very diff
Ierehl.
ooh, pshaw! what tiresome
thing"
"Well," remarked May, consoling
ly, "make the best of It, which I &C.
cordingly did, by sezing a scarf and
taking my way to the woods which
lay right back Of the house.
I didn't like to own it even to my.
self I; but l was curious, very curious,
and my steps quickened as passed
underneath the heavy branches and
clinging vines until came suddenly
upon the little clearing, where, stretch
ed at the foot ofan old forest tree, that
threw its green leaves over him in pro-
tecting shade, was the minister him
self. He sprang up from his recum-
bent posture as he caught sight of me,
and advancing with many apologies,
led me into the glade, where we stood
in silence a moment.
"Now it is coming" I thought, and
it seemed to me that my cheeks fairly
burned.
However, he took no notice Of my
confusion, and we walked on until we
stood right on the sloping bank ofthe
brook, that tossed its mimic waves at
our very feet.
"You know" he began, without
further preamble, ''that l have been
called to new church in a distant
city. Although I have many friends
in my old location, it is better for me
to make change. start to night;
but before l 60 wish to ask favor
Of you. Will you grant it9"
l glanced up at him, but his face,
with its heavy whiskers and keen
eyes, were inscrutible, 10 l merely
nodded assent.
ut is this" he said, bending closer
to me, "that you will loan me that
book of Proverbial Philosophy you
mentioned the other day, for short
time, until | can procure"
There is no telling what l might
have said or done, for at that moment
my unlucky foot slid again on the
, slippery slope of the bank, and the
next l knew l was immersed in cold
water lying at full length upon the
pebbly bottom. l picked myself up
Il had strength enough left for that
and unheeding the dismal consola-
tons that followed me, l fairly raced
through the woods, down the road.
l and up three flights of steps until
reached my own apartment, where.
sbivering from the effects of my cold
bath, paused to take survey of my
self in the mirror. One survey was
nough. My dress, covered with mud
and torn with brambles, I flung on
chair, and proceeded to change my
dripping garments, but the long
scratch that gave such comical twist
to my right eye and the cuts on my
} forehead, making me look as though
| had been through seven years war,
l could not efface, and it was fully an
hour before 1 could recover my
equinimity, and, enveloped in the
voluminous folds of a wrapper, seat
myself quietly to consider. A thought
struck me before l had sat there a
moment Where was that May! She
was not in the closet, nor under the
bed. A sound of wheels came to my
ear glanced up. Down the road,
from the woods, came a team of let
black horses, that dashed along like
the wind, and light carriage contain
ing two persons. They drove round
and stopped. l did not care to make
discoveries, but therw myself on the
bed, for l was shaking as with an
ague, and fell into troubled doze
Sometime after, hand brushed the
hair from my forehead, and some. ones
voice said,-
"Poor old Lou When did you come
back from battle? Your visage is
pretty we'll battered"
l caught Mays eye, and the glitter
of a stone on her forefnger
The reporter gave you that 7" I
demanded, rather than questioned.
''Don't be angry Lou she said
softly. 'It isn't my fault. left you
: the minister and always did like
brown eyes the best. Where is he
the minister 2"
l made grimace, but did not en-
tighten her. was very angry for a
) time, but she was old May, after all,
so at last l gave in, for never cared