Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-06-06

81 was speaking of the young lad,
Who"
Mrs. Mayberry was icily severe, bu
her husband cut her short. $50 yo,
were--pretty little thing as ever
saw. A ladylike, graceful little girl
with beautiful eyes enough to excuse
the boy for admiring her"
"The boy! You seem to have for
gotten your son is twenty-ihree-ol(
enough to fall in love with and marry
even poor, unknown girl you were
quixotic enough to invite to your ia
be-
"Twenty.three So he is. Ant
if he wants to marry y beggar ant
she is good virtuous girl-why
not?"
A little gasp Of horror and dismay
was the only answer of which Mrs
Mayberry was capable.
"Graudpa =
Winnies voice was so low that Mr..
Wilmington only just heard it, aud
when he looked up he saw the girl'l
crimson cheeks and her lovely, droop.
ing face.
"Yes, Winnie. You want to tell
me something @
She went up behind him, and lean
ed her hot check caressingly against
his, her sweet, low voice whispering
her answer "Grandpa, l want te
tell you something. I--Mr. May
we--Earnest has asked-he wants me
TOO, grandpa, can't you tell what ii
is :"
He felt her cheek grow hotter
against his. He reached up his hand
and caressed the other one.
"Yes, can tell, dear. Earnest
has shown his uncommon good sense
by wanting you tor his wife. So that
is what comes OF that dinner, eh Win.
uie ?"
"And may l tell him that you are
willing, perfectly willing, grandpa
Because do love him! ynp know"
you are after, eh e
She did not take umbrage at the
sharp question.
II am at least sure it is not my
money he is after, grandpa, she re-
turned laughing and pattiug his CHI eek.
eyes, you are at least sure of that
there l hear the young man coming
Shall I 60, Winnie 2"
1t was the "young nan himself,
Earnest Mayberry, with shadow OF
deep trouble and distress on his face
as he came stlaight up to Winnie and
took her hand, then turned to the old
gentleman.
"Until an hour ago thought this
would be the proudest, happiest hour
of my life, sir, for should have asked
you to give me Winnie for my wife.
Instead, / must be content to only tell
you how dearly love her, and how
patiently and hard l will work for her
to give her the home which she de-
serves-because, Mr.. Wilmington, this
the house Of Mayberry u
Thurston failed, and both families are
beggars."
His handsome face was pale, but his
eyes were bright with determination
and braveness nothing could daunt.
Winnie smiled back upon him, her
own cheeks paling.
"Never mind, Earnest, on my ac'
count / can wait, too"
Old Mr.. Wilmingtons eyes were al.
most shut beneath the heavy, trowning
forehead, and quizzical look was ON
his shrewd old face as he listened
"Gone up, eh' Well, that's too
bad. You stay here and tell Winnie
1 an just as willing she shall be your
wife when you want her, as if nothing
had happened because | believe you
can earn bread and butter for both OF
you, and my Winnie is q contented
little girl. III hobbls up to the office
and see your father he and 1 were
boys together; word of sympathy
wont come amlss from me.
Away he strobe, leaving the lovers
alone, getting over the distance iii a
short time, and presenting
his wrinkled, weather beaten old face
in Maybery & Thurstou's private Of
flee, where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone,
with rigid face and keen, troubled
eyes, that nevertheless lighted at the
sight of his old friend
SIN glad to see you, Wilmington.
Sit down. The sight ola man who