Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-11-10

OF these years. Ills parents dleu
when he was a boy, and Amabel, his
only sister, fifteen years his senior,
married before she was twenty, and
gave her brother q home, whenever
he was not travelling, or in some SEM
mary or college. While he consider
ed himself a rich man, Raymond had
accepted this hospitality as freely as
it was offered, and Amabel's jewel
case, her husbands library, and her
children's play-room bore witness to
her brother't, generosity. But sud
denly without warning, there swept
over the country one of the devasta-
ting financial crashes so overwhelming
in this land OF speculation, and Ray
mond was recalled from Europe by his
brother-in- law, informing him that his
entire patrimony had been swept
away. Investments that had seemed
to the young man, ignorant in all
business details, as secure as they
were lattering, had fallen to ruin, and
few hundred dollars only were left
Of what had been a noble fortune.
At first Raymond did not realize the
extent of his misfortune. He was
still young, well educated, in perfect
health, and certainly the world has
some niche where he could earn an
honest living. But weeks Of seeking
for employment gave him keener
knowledge OF his misfortune. Friends
who had been willing to smoke his
cigars and drink his wines, who were
yet willing to extend every social
greeting, shook their heads when ask
ed to confide any portion Of their
business into his keeping.
Brought yp to study, to live a life
of elegant leisure, Raymond Thurston,
at twenty eight, knew absolutely moth
ing of business, nor had he studied
any one branch sufficiently to qualify
himself for a teacher. He tired faith
fully to find some employment, spend
ing what little remained of his fortune
with the lavish hand that had not vet
learned economy.
Society welcomed him home after
two years Of wandering, for Amabel
Barclay kept open house for her
friends, and Raymond was q favorite
in her circle. Her husband, many
years older than herself, had long ago
retired from business, with a large in
come, and while he gave Raymond
cordial welcome, had no opportunity |
to aid in finding occupation.
And Bertha Haines, the friend from
whom Raymond parted two years be-
fore. They had not thought of love
in the days when the girl was q de-
butante in society, and Raymond one
of its favorite beaux but when they
met after the long parting, some new
emotion stirred both hearts. They
did not know what made the hours
pass so quickly when they were to-
gether, nor recognize the subtle charm
that dwelt for each in the others
presence, for many weeks. !
Raymond was the first to awaken
to the knowledge that love was the
charm that bound him to Bertha's side
whenever she was present that it
was love that made her eyes, the dark
sparkling eyes so beautiful IN their ex-
preston that love made her the
dearest of all women in his eyes.
Amabel was delighted. Bertha
was one of her own fast friends, aud
Berthas father a merchant of standing
and influence Aside from this the
girl had inherited money from her
mother. Altogether Amabel decided
the match would be charming. But a
hint to that effect met one Of Ray.
mond's stearnest frowns, such as had
never visited his face in the old sun
shiny days.
'Never speak OF it again, Amabel,'
he said. 81 am no fortune hunter to {
live upon the money Of a rich wife. {
LII carve out my own first
But carving his own way proved t
-edious work, till, desperate at his c
many failures, he accepted a position, c
offered in jest, Of driver to an express
wagon. !
81 do understand horses" he said, t
if l cannot sell goods Or keep t
)ooks." Il
1t proved harder work, however, h
han in the first flush of his despera- il
ion he had imagined. Not the mere o
work. 4; that he soon conquered but n
he Sights, rudeness and stares of his s.
Id friends. Some few recognized G