Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-24

ing, often interrupted by impatient
calculations. He was man, as he
said, Of past sixty, and had been
childles5 widower for thirty years,
while four little graves beside that of
his wife recorded the heart history oI
his life.
When he had lived lonely and sin
cere mourner for many long years, his
brother and wife died, leaving Frank a
curly headed boy, to the care of his
Uncle Coleman. All the long sealed
fountains Of love in The oNsolate heart
opened to pour ont their affection up,
on the child, He was truly the sun
light of the old map'5 existence, and,
! though his manner had been cynical,
his heart bad been sorely wrung by
the announcement Of his engagement.
but not from any palty jealousy Or
any merceuary motive. Had Frank
loved a true, tender woman, were she
q beggal, his uncle would have gwen
her q fathers love and welcome. But
by the light of his own brief married
happiness he read the misery in store
for his nephew if he married Lucia
rockingham So a tlirt, eytravagant
and selfish. How to save him was
costing the old man a torturing
thought. Active opposition would
only strengthen what was now but q
boyish infatuation, and yet he mast
be saved. Suddenly light broke ov-
er Coleman Burkes face, and he rose
from his chair and went to y long
mirror in the room. The reflection
was not calculated to waken any van
fity, yet the old man smiled, well pleas
ed.
"IfI can only carry it out it will be
proof positive" he thought.
Short, fat, nearly bald, with specta
cles and cane, Coleman Burke was
certainly strong contrast to the tall,
handsome young fellow who had won
Lucia for his bride, yet he said 4
loud:
"I'll cut him out y
A week later all the fashionables at
the c. Hotel, at Saratoga, knew
that Coleman Burke intended to take
a wife. What bird first bore tn e
news upon the scented air no one
could have told you, but there vas no
lack Of information about the elderly
bridegroom in prospective. Every
body Chat was anybody knew that
Coleman Burke had retired from busi-
ness years before, worth half million
OF money, and had made fortunate in
vestments since. That he was decked
in fashions latest styles, wore diamond
studs and rings, carried a switch cane,
drove fine team and occupied expen-
sivo rooms at the hotel all could sec
for themselves.
Very soon after he came. another
fact was patent to all observers-that
he was very attentive to Miss Lucia
rockingham, the belle OF many sea-
sons.
Mrs. rockingham hoped in her
heart that Lucia would not be Il fool
and would remomber how far Mr..
Coleman Burke's pocket-book out
weighed his nephew's; slso that an
old mans darling was far more apt to
have every whim gratifed than a
young mans slave. Having delivered
this maternal lecture the widow dlla-
ted upon the expenses Of the Saratoga
trip and was rather marked in her EN-
phasis upon speedy subjugation of
her elderly adorer.
And Miss Lucia shrugged her fair
sloping shoulders, threw over them 4
cloud OF black lace and descended to
the porch where Mr.. Burke waited to
escort her for drive. His manner Of
wooing was certainly more business
like than sentimental. Where Frank
had grown eloquent over the beauty
of the liquid, dark eyes his uncle d-
lated upon the suitability Of diamonds
for brunette beauty. Where Frank
tenderly quoted poetry descriptive of
the tender grace of the willowy figure
his uncle thought velvet was the
most becoming wear for slight figures.
As they drove. the fat old gentleman
asked her opinion Of his horses, also
obtained her description of the most
suitable carriage for lady's exclusive
use. Likewise he expressed contempt
for an India shawl folded upon u seat
near the lake, as one far below the
quality he would purchase to deck a
ladys shoulders,
/ Somatimes indped ne Tuc;o infnrm.