Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-07-26

groom
"Oh, if you're going to stoop to
such petty considerations as that"
"Well, well, use them if you like. I
dare say we shall manage somehow"
"And the croquet party? Only
thirty or forty people just topay our
social debts, It's so shabby to be be-
hindu hand IN such things
'If you will be as economical as
you can about it"
"And the parasol? And the sum
mer silk that is such a bargain at Pet
er Robinson's-"
"Yes, yes, yes! Only remember,
Vic, that there is limit to our
funds
Mrs. Hale was satisfied with the
grudging assent so reluctantly screw
ed out of her husband.
She gave the croquet party, and
had the satisfaction of hearing on all
sides that it was the most elegantly
gotten up little affair of the season in
Holloway Road. She whirled down
to the parks, and along the Bayswater
Road, with the cream colored ponies.
She bought the lavender summer silk,
with o Glove" of lace shawl to wear
with it paid Madame Fringe Furbe-
low four guineas to make it up, and
had it ruined by a glass Of lemonade
the first time she ever wore it. She
accepted an invitation to visit Var
mouth with party OF gay friends, and
cried all night before she could induce
her husband to consent.
"Vie, you don't understand said
John, with careworn look on his
brow. ave must study economy, or
we shall 90 to ruin !"
Economy !'' sharply retorted Vic
toria 81 am sick of the very word!"
Her husband turned silently away !;
it was hard, just when he had most
need of sympathy, counsel, and advice,
thus to be repulsed
"They tell me" said old Mr.. Har-
die, the senior member of the firm of
Hardie, Block d Co., "that Hale's
wife dresses the most elegantly OF any
one at Yarmouth this season !"
"What, Hale, who keeps Denny's
books Young Hale ?"
"Ycs." ,
'The deuce she does ! How can
he afford it ?"
"Ah!' said old Hardie, taking snuff,
'thats a different matter. l don t
know how he affords it, If l were
Denny, l should keep an eye to
things y
"They've had some serious lessons
already, I'm told" said the other.
"That burglary last week cost them a
thousand pounds"
"Any trace Of the burglars as yet p
"No. The safe must have been
opened by skeleton keys, Denny
thinks"
"Hump!" grunted old Hardie. "lt
the cashier was any one but Hale, that
Denny trusts as he would trust him
self"
ooh, nonsense, nonsense !" cried the
other old gentleman, 'There's such a
thing as being too suspicious, Hardie
You'll be saying next that Hale is at
the head of gang Of burglars !"
"lle may be, for all know said
Hardie, dryly.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Reginald Denny
began to be strangely mistrustful. Not
Of John Hale-he would as soon have
thought of doubling himselt-but OF
others about him.
"Hale," said he, sometimes | think
these knaves of burglars are nearer
home than any one imagines y
'Do you, sir % A ghastly look
came over the young mans features,
as if he were in pain. "Impossible !"
"At all events, it is worth looking
into" said Denny. "The circular Of
suspicion seems to be narrowing
down. DO you mind sitting up for ;
night or two ?"
"Not at all, sir, ifyou desire it."
I'm sorry to ask it of you, as yor
haven't seemed well this last week ol
two"
"Pray don't mention it. ! am vel
enough" said Hale, almost impatient
ly.
1t was the first night of his vigil
a dark, tempestuous midnight will
rain falling outside, and the rush Of
equinoctial winds wailing down the
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