Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-07-23
Written for this paper.
FRED RAYMOND.
BY GEO W. SI.AYTON.
PART III,

BY GEO W. sLAYToN.
PART II.
"Do you think, Edith, that l would
stand idly by, and see or hear him in
suit you. No, Edith, I cannot prom
ise you that, however much | love
you But let us hope and trust, dar-
ling, that may not be called on to
bring him to account for anything he
may do to you Or your father. We
will drop the subject now, and find
something more cheerful. You know
we were speaking Of going to Frank
lin some day for ride. Did YOU
mention it to your father? think he
would enjoy it, too. We will set a
day that will be convenient for him
and then we will go over in my pony
team and make a day of it. There is
a good moon, now, so we can stop at
Oakley on our way home, for tea, and
come the rest of the way by moon
light. What do you say?'
cit will be splendid. l haven't
been to Franklin for an age, and l
have spoken to father about it, and he
Will be very much pleased to make
one otthe party. Ho says you may
name any day that suits you and he
will be at leisure. So, you see, all
we have to do, is name the day."
"Then call it Friday, unless you are
opposed to a journey on that day."
"Not l. am not a believer in
signs. If Friday is the day, l am sat
istied, and if anything does happen we
can lay it to the day."
"Well, then, it is decided that we
start next Friday morning for Frank
lin. That we stop at Oakley for tea,
and finish with moonlight ride to
D. and now | must go, for l have
an engagement with friend, much
as | would prefer staying with You.
Some day, and l hope it is not far dis
tant, we can enjoy each others COM
pany without such Interruptions.
Good-by now, dearest remember Fri
day morning, bright and early. /
may be over again to morrow"
Let us now seek Fred in the city of
B. as he had promised, he met
Dick at Sibbs, but owing to the free,
dom with which the champaign as
well as some baserliquors flowed, there
was far more fighting than business,
and Dick came out with a black eve
added to his charms.
The next morning they met again
at the same place, and as they are
earnestly engaged in conversation we
will again play the eavesdropper.
"You look little the worse for
wear, this morning, Dick. Do you
know who it was that shaded your
eye in that becoming manner
"No, but l wish | did,"
"Well, | Car tell you, and you need
mt get yourself into passion either.
1t was l that performed that little act
ofkindness for you, and if you ever
attempt to let any more of my secrets
out inyour drunken brawls won'tstop
with an eye. But now to business,
you were so drunk last night you
couldn't understand anything. In the
first place, you are already aware that
1t has long been my ambition, to get
Edith Weld for my wife, because she
is the only heir to Old Yields i'm
mense property, and by getting her,
this old farthingless purse of mine
will reap a rich harvest, as you also
know all that has transpired, let us
see if we cannot form some plan, by
which | can attain my object"
"Well, what do you intend to dog
81 propose to kidnap Miss Edith
before another week has passed and
to bring her to B and have you
perform the marriage ceremony for
Mr.. & Mrs. Fred RAYMOND"