Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-01-12

bear if he had not deceived me. AnC
yet he seemed in earnest. He ono,
told me that he had never loved bu
one woman, and was fool enough tC
think that one was myself; thougl
he did not say SO, his eyes swore to it.
Oh, ! have been too happy! but this
ends it all. Jennie, for what are yOo
crying? Tell him l hope he aciN BIT
happy with-with Emile. Yor
know, I cannot bring myself to like
her just yet"
"Oh, detest her, the huzzy" criec
Jennie.
"Tell him | mean to forgive him
but never, never wish to see his
face again !! Oh oh ! oh !" and an
other heavy dose Of the aforesaid ton
ic ; and the girls kissed and parted
DR.. Ledyard had been expected
home that night, but after Melissa
had departed Jennie received a not,
saying that ne should be detained for
q week or more, and not mentioning
Melissa, as her visit had been kept {
secret from him, jennie intending {
surprise. When they heard his ring
Melissa was to step behind the statue
of Ariadne, and while Ledyard warm
ed his hands at the blaze on the
hearth and dilated on the pleasures Of
home, hinting that there was but ono
delight lacking, that one delight, il
the shape of Melissa, was to step from
out the shadow Of Ariadne, into the
warmth of fre.light and embracing
arms. So the little drama that Jennie
had planned failed Of performance,
and when Ledyard S note arrived, she
inclosed Emilie's telegram to his ad.
dress, having written on the other side
of the sheet
Melissa has been visiting here We
intended pleasant surprise for you.
instead of which there was an ugly
contre-temps. She left instantly. The
horrid telegram will explain. Youl
sorrowtill sister, JENNIE.
But in her agitation, Miss Jennie,
who was always just bit careless,
though kind-hearted enough, directed
her letter to East instead Of West
Babylon street, number nine instead
of ninety, and therefore-it being
prior to the present postal arrange
ments, which returns . miscarried let,
ter to the original writer at the expi-
ration Of few wceks-Dr. Ledyard
Johnson never received it. Judge OF
his surprise, then, when, having writ
ten to Melissa in his usual vein, his
love.letter was returned to him mo
pened
II should like just to know what he
says about it, Melissa had pleaded ;
show he excuses himself" Having
utterly resigned hlm, she was just dy.
ING for one word of affectionate apol-
ogy and appreciation. In her own
heart she had already excused him ;
she had pieced up sentimental story
for his apology. He had lovea
Emile first. but a cruel father had in
terfered then he had met Melissa
herself and had tancied she could fill
Emilies place but oh when she
stepped aside, what happiness she had
been capable Of giving him the
more costly since it was also her own
happiness which she threw into the
scales. Therefore she would fain have
opened his letter, in order to verify
her romance but her mother, who
understood human nature and the
ways of the world better-to whom
romance was dead etter-said, "No,
dear it will only probe the wound !;
it will d9 no good-better return it
unopened, as he deserves there is
no excuse possible And being a
high-handed woman, who always car
ried her point, the letter was returned.
DIR. Ledyard posted down to Dow
erby instantly to inquire into the affair
and was told that Melissa had left
town, and her mother was indisposed
she having sent Melissa away on a
visit to divert her mind. AT his wits
end, Ledyard wrote on HE card, evil
Mrs. Vaughn give me Melissa's ad-
dress ?" To which she replied:
"Under the circumstances, Mrs.
Vaughn thinks it wise to withhold
her daughters address from DR.. John
son, and she is greatly surprised at his
importunity-atter aH.'
Fairly puzzled and not little an
CRY, DR.. Ledyard returned to town.
He had no heart or spirits for any
thing, but it was his duty to see that