Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-24
WOODSTOCK, W., WEDNESDAY, MARCH "a, 1875

Of rare flowers in the morning, follow
ed by a call drve in the afternoon
a walk in the evening or an offer OF
escort duty at q ball became the usual
daily routine. But the elderly wooer
was an energetic and persistent one,
and even Lucia, vain of her conquest,
was bewildered by the rapidity of the
courling. Only a fortnight ago she
had but 4 bowing acquaintance with
Mr. Burke, and now he had positively
offered parurc of expensive canoes
for her acceptance.
"a letter from Frank Coming to-
day y mused Mr., Coleman Burke,
reading an epistle handed in at his
door. "Surpriscd to find me away
from home Hopes | have seen his
Lucia in a kinder light than the one
| had previously had. Hem-yes-
well"
And 50 Mr.. Burke mused and NUT
tered as he donned his most exquisite
suit, his most dazzling necktie, and
fastened a boquet in his button hole.
"Bless my soul, Uncle Coleman,
what a swell you are y
And then Frank was in the room
and the two exchanged cordial greet
ings.
And Lucia p Frank questioned,
"is she well g
"!She was perfectly well last even
ing, when took her for a drive
"You?'
"Certainly. You do not suppose l
have failed in attention to my future
niece, do you? ?"
"You like her better than you did,
continued Frank, pleadingly.
See here, Frank" the old man said,
suddenly wheeling round from the
glass to lace his nephew. Il have a
bargain to make with you. II within
an hour prove Lucia false, mercenary
and traitor to her promise to you,
will you give her up? Stop! If she is
true, loving and faithful | will with
draw my harsh words, and will give
her the love always hoped to give
your wife"
But how can you find out p said
the young man, astonished at bis un.
cles energetic proposal.
1t is You who are to find out. am
already satisfied You are to go to
the center window Of the small draw
ing-room, on the east porch, and listen
to conversation | am to have, BY
appointment, with Miss Frothing-
ham"
"Eayesdropping."
"Never mind that grand mir of con-
tempt. / am to have my way for
just one hour, and YOU can take yours
afterward for lifetime. Will you
goa"
"If you say SO"
eco, then
Just little later Miss Frothingham
all smiles and white muslin, sailed in
to the east drawing-room to greet her
elderly admirer. With an air of deep
est devotion he raised her hand to his
lips and greeted her with howery
compliment.
II presume" he said, in q low ten
der tone, ''you are at no loss to guess
why l have ventured to summon you
here. You must have understood the
meaning of my attentions. Need l
tell you how dear you have become to
me ? Need l speak OF the love you
have inspired g E
"You are so kind !" she murmur-
ed.
u am contemplating a speedy re-
turn to the city, and | wish to arrange
for the wedding, il | can obtain ay
expression of your wishes. Do not
object to an early day"
ANY day will be supremely blest,'
she said, softly, "that makes me your
wife"
MY wife Bless my soul, my nep-
hew told me"
ooh Mr.. Burke, you do not mag
inc l have encouraged that boy y with
an accent of magnificent scorn. "He
is an amiable young fellow, and Ihave
been kind to him. But love between
myself and a boy of that age is sim
ply preposterous.'
"I am aware that the disparity of
years
"My dear Mr.. Burke, do not speak
of that. To me there is dignity and
nobility about n man who has passed
middle life that can never be attained
without thn eynnrience of wears. Be.