Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-05-16
was much provoked but Mr. Bulbo's
was very definite.

us it a P. or an F 7" she asked,
puzzling over the letter. Il declare
It's as much like an NJ as any thing"
When at last bedtime came, with
out doubt Polly lighted his candle,
and between them they dropped the
snuffers three times before he got fair
ly started. In the morning he must
see the farm, and as Mr.. Kopp's work
was urgent, Polly was impressed to
do the honos. On their return the
sun was too hot to 60 out, and it was
pleasanter to chat in the sitting-room.
After dinner came the fascinating
sight of Polly with her sleeves rolled
up, showing such white arms-all
stray locks of her hair tucked behind
her little ears and away from cheeks
where the color came and went in
moment-that the dishes might be
washed Then when she disappeared
moment Mr.. Bulbo thought he
would make call, but when she ap
peared in fresh muslin, was moved
to ask if there was not somewhere for
them to go:
"Not but that I see enough that $
charming here"
Polly turned away with little
frown, and Mr.. Bulbo was, as usual,
upbraiding himself, when a deepening
red on her neck persuaded him that
he had made an irrevocable mistake.
They went to Lynbrook, and only got
home in time for Polly to get tea.
After that Mr.. Kopp proposed to call
on another young lady, but Mr.. Bulbo
had discovered that Polly sang; and
as music was his great delight, and he
made some attempts, though no pre-.
tensions in that quarter, he insisted on
song. One followed another, their
voices harmonized finely, and another
evening was gone.
This was the example of many days,
Polly had read some new book that
had particularly pleased Mr.. Bulbo
and she was so lively and piquant it
was delightful to talk to her. She
was remarkably we'll educated, which
surprised Mr. Bulbo, as Mleford was
but u country place.
"Ah, now, you'd like to ask ques-
tions," she cried, as he let drop some
thing of that kind. 81 was not
brought up here, and that's all I'll say.
Ladies only are privileged to ask
questions"
"There is one that gentlemen may
ask, softly said Mr. Bulbo, leaning
toward her; but she sprang from her
seat and ran up stairs.
"Bulbo, you're fool - was the
gentleman's mental comment. "lm
afraid you're in loye-you are, by
Jove !" he eJaculated, as he seized the
handkerchief Polly had dropped. And
pressing it to his lips, placed it in his
inner pocket.
1t was to be feared that was the
truth. Mr.. Bulbo had been five weeks
at Mr.. Kopp's and had entirely for
gotten the cause of his coming. He
had made but one call in search of the
wife who was TO yindicate his charac-
ter in the virtuous city Of Brookley,
but had fingered all this time by the
side of bright-eyed, plump little
damsel, who had become Il necessity
to him, and without whom he felt his
bachelor room would he dreary in
deed. Why wouldn't she do as well,
better than any one else, tor his pui-
p.s49 She was darling, would
make him happy, retute the scandal,
destroy the tenant of that closet
ugh! Yes, yes. But-a blank,
great and upspeakable, fell on Mr..
Bulbo as he contemplated the idea
that she might reject him. In all his
plans he had never once thought OF
that. Not that he was overbold; he
had no opinion of his abilities, but the
extremity had been such that he had
never allowed a refusal to enter into
his calculations. In the despair that
came over him, he went and wander
ed by the brook until long past tea
hour
1t was with II fearful heart-throb
anI a perceptible jump that he saw
Polly approaching:
"Mr. George, won't you come to
tea 2"
Il won't come, Miss Polly. my
heats Polly'-it sounded horrible,
but Mr.. Bulbo did not mean it should
-"unless you will let me 60 with
you,' he replied, seizing her hand in
both of his.
"That's just what I mean to do"