Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-06-25

bidlng-place during the long summer
evenings, for it was sheltered partly
by dropping elms, and was, on the
whole, quiet and shady. There the
good farmer could unmolested smoke
his pipe, aud Vivian Wallace, the
fashy, talkative gentleman, make love
to pretty Rose when her mothers
back was turned while Lincoln Pat
ten played with baby Jessie and talked
with baby's mother.
For this man, Mrs. Raymond felt Il
strong liking, despite her determina-
ton to the contrary I; for there was
something about him which reminded
her of q friend long since lost to her.
SO she was ever respectful to him, and
talked to him, because he talked to
her babe, till finally they began to
take walks and rides together ; and at
the end of the summer months, Ariel
awoke to the consciousness that she
loved this Lincoln Patten, the young,
sturdy lawyer.
As this knowledge came to her, she
tried to put the temptation from her,
for her welded life had been an un-
happy one, and, in spite of the wealth
upon her, her husband had
never had her heart.
Years ago, when but a schoolgirl
she had loved. The object Of her
choice bore the name of Manning Per-
ciyal. He was her love, her ideal
there were none like him and, before
she knew it, she loved. But then her
pride prevented her from showing her
affection. Percival was u dignifed,
sober young man, who showed her but
little marked attention before the
world, though he dreamed continual
ly of her when in private. But he
was poor. She loved wealth so,
when he found courage to confess his
love, she refused him, and denied a
return of his affection. The week
following she welded Squire Ray
mond, and took her first lesson in
life's misery. After that, her soul
cried out more and more for Manning
Percival. Yet, when she learned
that he had fallen heir to q vast prop.
erty, and had gone abroad, she tried
to forget, and lived on silently till her
babe was born. Then hopes grew a
trife brighter, and, after the sudden
death Of her husband, she finding
herself mistress of all his estates,
shut up her house, and visited till the
time she found herself at the farm
house.
During the first portion OF her
widowhood, she watched long and
earnestly for Manning Percival. Then
she called him unkind and false and
at last loved Liucoln Patten with
stronger affection than she had ever
felt for the ideal of her girlhood.
But he was so kind and attentive
that she could not help it. Besides,
he loved her child, and i'll that way
had won the mothers heart.
Mrs. Harrington saw at once low
things were; but the good farmer
laughed, and said he guessed Ariel
could take care Of herself, and knew
what she was doing.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Vivian Wallace
was paying marked attention to Rose,
much to the farmers dissatisfaction,
who disliked the stranger exceedingly.
The fashy gentleman had tried with
all his power to gain the attention
Of Ariel; bnt she, reading his true
repulsed him, and he bestow-
cd his gaudy presents upon Rose, IN
stead. She in girlish delight, had ac-
,eptod them, and had taken more care
n dressing than usual, much to Arlels
grief who really liked the pretty coun-
nv girl, and resolved to befriend her
f possible. Her joyous ways were in
great contrast to the sad air OF Mrs.
though much to the latter's
ecret rejoicing.
But one evening hose went to her
'oom, unlike herself, sitting for y long
ime beside her window, instead of at
,nce seeking rest as she had been in
he habit OF doing.
Then all of a sudden she arose, and
,egan taking from her trunk q few
.lothes which she packed in a small
,ag lying close at hand. Article after
rticle was taken and left; then a
hand traced a few words
lpon small slip of paper which was
arefully placed upon her bureau, in
lain sioht of any one who MIGHT