Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-09-10

than rhine Ia recovering its owners
property
This incident appeared quite un'm'
portant at the time, but there we're two
phases 10 II which impressed me alter
ward, First tho promptilade win
which Miss Danscombe stopped to n
task mine by all precedent In etiquette
second, the discovery that on one cor,
ner Of the diminq,ivo handkerchief
was inscribed In delicate embroidery
the name "Gwendolinc,'
Miss Dunscombo probably noticed
nv surprise at this little discovery, Tor
sbo volunteered an explanation
Il declare one OF Ovens! How
she will bless me ] am always run
ming with her handkerchiefs.'
Being a, a loss for proper reply !
responded, sagcly;
"Ah, indeed p
"Yes ; / should scold you for squeez'
ing my hand, Isupposc, but ! will for
give you this time boys will be boys
YOU know"
"Aud little girls said l wrathfull
"will DO little girls"
"Yes; is it not queer3' said Miss
Dunscombc artlessly. "And oh, gra'
cious A.! | want to know what you
think of Gwendoline. suppose after
seeing me you are desperately in love
with her.
1t may be well to state here that
being young and tolerable foolish l
had fallen desperately in love with the
angel at my side, and my reply TO her
last query was accordingly tempered
by a tervor productive OF 'he most ha'
grant indiscretion.
"Iy dear Miss Dunscombe, "sald !
trembling with emotion, limp with
love, "yoa may think it heartless but
without reciprocating your sisters
hatred l feel sure that | shall never
be able to love her, much less marry
her for my heart is all ready engaged =
"Engaged," exclaimed the angel
"engaged, and to whom
"That question: l replied with
ridiculous ogle, 81 hope to answer al
some future time. But rest assured
that l shall never willingly marry
Gwendoline Dunscombe."
Concluding this very foolish speech
with a look Of ardent admiration in the
direction of my companion, was
Mortified to observe glow Of mingled
perturbation and merriment light uE
her countenance.
"Future brother-in.law," she cried,
between bursts of ringing laughter
it is useless to disguise the tact any
longcr-you are in love with me- VI
wicked, wicked, susceptible man
81 presume from information givln!
me by you that she may survive IT.
ierked out rather family.
"Oh but it is too shocking tor any
thing, you know. You wicked, de-
prayed man sit further from me zeal
lx YOU must now-we are coming tt
tunnel and how do ! know but yo'
YOU might steal kiss ?"
As she spoke we dashed into
tunuel. I have never been able to So.
whether anything extraordinary hap
pened in that tunnel-it was dark, ant
1 perceived nothing
As we were about to enter, TN
an eel dropped her handkerchief, AM
!. both stopped simultaneously to recov
er it, our heads approximated tor
moment. This however was but
+ natural consequence. Also as we Is
sued from the tenebryus atmosphere
into broad daylight, the angel appear
ed little hustered and remarked ;
, you are a horrible, horrible man
The angel had but time enough t
. gain her customary repose OF manne
ere our journey came to an end' AM
: the iron horse painted YEARLY into tn
3 station at B., and rested.
A portly gray-haired gentleman wa
waiting on the flags as the angel pre-
, oeding me stepped from the train. ii
g embraced her with much fervor, say
ing:
D .'God bless my soul Gwen !you ar
! looking nervous. How do you tee
. my deari By-the-way we expeote'
Rand on this train. Bless my sou
, this is the man. What a-what-
$ coincidence p
: With which exclamation the OIL
| gentleman stared at me very hard.
\ 81 recognized you" he sald' "irot
your likeness to your uncle, my Ol
r cbnm Melaucthon Rand. This is m