Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-06-16

old homestead" "
And then | went down stairs tc
breakfast, and ate cold hash and drank
flat coffee without complaint. There
were but three days more Of it, and
then came month Of lounging, smok.
ing, and enjoyment. AT least was
young enough to hope so.
1t was night when | left the train,
and portmanteau in my hand, entered
-. Just at the depot stood a ght
carriage.
erich, old fellow" cried n voice,
and | hurried forward to grasp Charlie
Pell's hand,
'I'm so glad to see YOU" said he,
"and I've so much to tell you-jump
in. Let me take your traps. Now
shake hands again and congratulate
me-Tm married"
"Married !" | almost shouted.
"Why bless your heart, Charlie, ac-
cept my very warmest congratulations
And how did it come about And
what does your mamma think about it
and-and-"
"My dear Rich said Charlie,
''there's the unhappy part Of the sto-
ry; they are furious. They have said
and done the most dreadful things. |
think they wanted me to live and die
an old bachelor but at one-and-
twenty, my dear fellow, man must
think of settling, you know, and it's
absurd for them to lie so .mplacable
And my lady is, perhaps, year or
two older than | am and very live y
a gay young widow, you know-and
that they find fault with,'
''Don't bring her to my house,
says indeed she did but
you-you, know have sympathy
with me. You comprehend that [
could not forget one | adored, be-
cause an old lady and a little girl told
me to do so You'll understand that
no one in my place could, when
you are introduced to Lottie. met
her while on u business trip for the
house. but here we are. We sup
in our own little parlor Lottie has
quite a fortune, you know, and lives
in style at home. | shall manage the
place for her hereafter The waiter
will show you to your room, and to
our pallor when you are ready for our
society"
And away he flew, while hastened
to my room, made a careful toilet, and
went down stairs, coming a pretty
speech which | intended to make to
my friends bride When | knocked
at the door, | heard a suspicious hut-
tier, and doubted not that some of the
billing and cooling, necessary to the
situation had been going on, but
Charles opened the door for me, and |
saw a lady in lilac silk and plenty OF
lace sitting near the window. Being
very near sighted saw no more, ex-
cept that she had a fan in her hand
and was trihing with it
"Come in, Richmond" said Charlie.
"My dear Lottie, this is my old
friend, Richmond Walters. My wife,
Rich"
advanced. The lady arose. She
was stout and blonde. | saw her
face. She saw mine. For one mo-
ment we stood perfectly silent then
she put out her hand and | took it.
Neither of us said a word but if my
face flushed as redly as hers did and
| think it did it is no wonder that
Charles Pell stared at us.
"What will she do ?" asked my
self.
"Women are quicker than men. :"
She did nothing; she merely gave
me an icy hand and turned away her
head, and |, dropping her hand re-
tired to the other window, while
Charles stood between us looking
susplciously at me, and growing very
pale.
"You have met Mrs. Pell, before
perhaps?" he inquired at last, trying
to speak very gaily.
'1-I-I," stammered.
"Once, long while ago" said Mrs,
Pell, 81 don't think the gentleman re.
members me-.
And then she famed herself in 81
lence.
1t was very uncomfortable. | have
always had a -tale-face, and l could
see that Charlie read great deal in it..
He knew that knew his wife much
better than her words admitted. In
vain he strove to talk of Indifferent
subjects, and to do the honors of the
supper-table. 1t was very dull even
ing, and l pleaded headache and retir-
ed early. Before | slept, Il waiter
brought HE little note. 1t ran
thus
"Keep the secret Go away to-
morrow. Ifyou have the least love
for me, GO
1t was not signed, but l knew
that Charlie Pell's wife had written
it.
Go; of course / would 60, aud the
sooner the better.
slept little that night AT day
break | arose, and scribbled brief
farewell to Charlie. A telegram from
my employer, | stated, called me
away. Best wishes, compliments to
Mrs. Pell, etc. had just addressed
and sealed it when some one raped
/ II, Quail, .,t J. .,,,l -