Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-04-05

caressed the withcred hands.
With all her train of cringing rela
tives it was something new to th'
old lady to receive loving service
She had made no further engagement
with Edna, had held out no colder
promises, but by gentle kindness sh'
had won the girls warm heart to al
enthusiastic affection.
1t was because of no thought o
salary or future favors that Edna Sea
bright gave daughters tenderes
care to the old lady who was giving
her the novel happiness ofa summer
pleasure trip She was sorry to think
OF the parting soon to come ; but she
meant to prove her gratitude by ev
cry loving device, while she was still
Mrs. Hepburn's companion.
And Rob. Harkner, in his law office
in town, found no consolation in legal
studies for the keen pang of disap-
pointment he had experienced when
Mrs. Holt told him Miss Seabright
was travelling for the summer, and had
no permanent address.
"Aunt Maria off too, nobody knows
where, the young man thought discon'
solately, 80 | might as well 60 back
to town
Which he did thereby receiving at
the earliest moment delicately. written
letter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated Bos-
ton begging him to meet her at L
House and escort her home.
"Odd," he muttered, "after running
about all summer alone she cannot
come from Boston without an escort. =
But with Bob, to hear his great
aunt's wishes was to obey them, and
the next train found him fastening to
Boston.
lie found his aunt sitting in private
sitting room of the hotel from which
she had written, rocking herself laziIy
and musing. He judged that her
oscillations were pleasant by the smile
upon her lips.
She gave hima cordial welc ome, and
and after little chnt, she said:
"Rob, did you ever think meant
to make you my heir?
The color rushed to Rob's face, but
after a moment of confusion, he lifted
up his eyes frankly, saying:
81 thought you would not forget me
if you made a will, Aunt Maria, but
from my heart hope that it will be g
long tim before | know whether you
will or not"
Thank you, Rob | believe you.
think you love me"
II do love you" was the earnest re-
ply.
"Then l hope you will grant a re-
quest | am about to make, that will
give me great happiness if you do"
Il should not likely refuse any re.
quest you make"
II have friend, Rob, a very dear
young friend, who is one of the lowell
est girls ever knew. Our friendship
is of very recent date, but it is strong
and true. 1t is my dearest hope that
when you meet her you may love her
may win her love-"
"Impossible !"
"Stay moment, Rob. am not
quite so foolish an old woman as to
wish you to promise to marry stran-
ger. But | want YOU to remain with
rs for short time and try to like my
friend, and win her to like you"
Il would be scoundrel i'll did that.
"a scoundrel !"
eyes for l have already given my
owe and Won a return"
"And did not tell me, Rob !"
"Only because l have not known
where to find you all summer"
"But your mother says your choic
hes fallen upon a vulgar nobody, pen
niless orphan"
"My mother has never seen Edna
1t is true she is an orphan, born in the
aims house but she has been befriend-
ed and educated by gentle, retired
people. and there is no faint of vulgar
ty about her. Aunt Maria, do you
think l am man to love a vulgar
woman ?"
"No, Rob but think an aims house
orphan !"
"But a gentle, lovely, woman, the
woman ! love | might seem to
agree in your place, auntie but you
zee that it would be q scoundrel's part
TO court your friend, when both love
and honnor bind me to Edna >
"Honnor Rob |"