Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-12-05

stranger still, he seemed to have giver
up writing to her. No more long and
carefully prepared letters occupied his
leisure hours, and was just beginning
to think that the whole affair had been
safely nipped in the bud, when one
unlucky day Mrs. Brown went to make
a brief visit to her sister in the coun.
try $50 Rosa learned from her maid),
and within an hour from the time OF
her departure bulky letter in one Of
Leslie's horrd yellow envelopes was
handed to Lucy Barrett by that treach-
erous waiter, who had doubtless been
bribed to secrecy.
That evening witnessed the lovers
reunion: and poor Mrs, Browns re-
monstrances were utterly disregarded,
if not forgotten, as / felt certain when
| saw once more the mingling shad-
ows reflected on the window shade.
That was very unfortunate even
ing for me. 1t was raining heavily,
and | had slight cold at the time,
but my sense Of duty made me for
getful of all risks, sud thought of
the poor, deluded mother determined
me to watch over the son.
So, when Leslie rose TO 60, and,
contrary to her usual custom, Mrs.
Barrett suffered Lucy TO see him out,
| could not help raising my window,
very softly, you know, just to be GER
tain that they were moi talking too
loud. Perhaps you may have noticed
that when the street is quiet, and the
noises of the day are hushed, ordinary
voices arc sinGularly audible.
They conversed for nearly ten min.
utes, and, just as expected, | caught
several words and parts Of sentences,
which | will set down in the order
in which they occurred.
ga good, true WIFE said the young
man, as he took her hand IN his own
Lucy's reEly was almost inaudible,
but | caught "happiness in the tu-
ture,' and "more than | can ever de-
serve.
Then Leslie finished Il long speech
with "an excellent time for the we'd
ding" and | heard no more. No
need, you will doubtless say.
But the next morning found my
self aG!hea;; and violent chill was
soon followed by Il high fever.
My cold had been aggravated By
my imprudehce in opening the win
dow, and weeks illness and confne-
ment to my bed was the result.
| was really suffering so much that
/ forgot my neighbors, and it was not
until the tenth day after my seizure
that my interest in my fellow crea-
lures revived sufficiently to prompt
me to ask Rosa single question.
"Well, indeed, mum, I've had 50
little time to spare since you've been
sick that | can't tell you what's going
on even next door. But cook says
that she thinks they've had a wedding
this morning over at the Barretts, for
the young lady went away IN a car
riage over two hours ago, all dressed
in new travelling dress, and young
Mr. Brown and another gentleman
went with her, and all the children
vas a-standin' on the steps a-thro%in
old shoes after them, and Mrs. Barrett
was half laughing, half crying, at the
parlor window
.Married!" | exclaiDed-"the de-
signing girl! Then my warning was
useless. But she'll never be happy,
that's one comfort. Do you know
whether Mrs. Brown is expected this
week, Rosa?'
Mrs. Brown! Why, there she
comes now, mum, just getting out OF
her carriage, l do declare answered
Rosa, gazing from my window.
In moment my resolution was
taken. Help me to get up, Rosa.
III go right over there and break the
news gently to the poor woman, my
SELF" l said, as l sat up, suddenly for
getting my ailments in my compassion
for poor Mrs. Brown.
In fifteen minutes more was stand
ing on the steps, and | had rung the
bell. That pompous waiter ushered
me into the parlor, and took up my
card; and before | had time TO collect
my thoughts, Mrs. Brown entered,