Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-06-04

VI am going 10 ask her 10 DO my
wife, aud if she does me the honor to
say Yes / will make q decent living
out Of my profession
From this time forth John devoted
himself with some ostentatlon TO hls
supposed cousins companion. He
was determined 10 let the widow per-
ceiye that be made his choice, and
that he could not be bought with he'
money. Mr., Selden and Miss Maral
were always together, and the widow
did not interfere between her compan'
ion and her cousin. Perhaps she wa'
rather glad Of their close friendship
for tho handsome Cleve made q much
moro delightful attendant Thus The
party fell quite naturally into couples
and the two weeks that the gentle
men had first fixed aS the limit Of tbell
stay heightened into two months.
II was noticeable that as the ladies
became confidential with their lovers
they had less to say to each other; and
1t began at last to DO quite evident &c
the real widow that the play must enc
for the present or the denouemen'
would come prematurely. Circum'
stances favored her determination
One night Clementire, with radiant
face, came into her friends room, and
said "Fan, ] have something to FOL
you. Clcve has asked me TO marry
bim.'
Now, Clement you have told him
all I know you have"
"Not word, Fan. He still believes
me the widow Clare"
"Did you accept him 7"
"Conditioually. I am to give him
a final answer when We so to the city
in October. You are going to New
York this winter are you not?
"Yes. Our little play progresses
finally. John Selden rsked me 10 be
his wife to night"
II told you men think and act in
pairs"
John IS noble fellow. I pretend.
ed to think his cousin had ill,used him
and he defended him until I was
ashamed of myself; absolutely said
Clement, that you were a sufficient for
Mr.. Clare's will. Then he blamed
his own past dleness so much, and
promised if would only try and EN-.
dure the slings and arrows of your
outrageous temper, Clement, for two
years longer he would make home
for me in which / could be happy.
Yes, Clement, I should marry John
Seljen if we had not five dollars be-
tween u.s."
II wish Cleve had been a little more
explicit about his money affairs. How
ever, there is time enough yet. When
they leave tomorrow what shall we
do ?"
I'VE will remain here another
month Levine will have the house
ready for me by that time. l have
written to him about furnishing the
parlors."
So next day the lovers parted. with
promises of constant letters and future
happy days together. The interval
was long and dull enough; but It pass.
ed, and one morning both gentlemen
received notes of invitations to small
dinner party at the widow Clare's man
sion in-street. There was a
good deal of dressing for the party.
{ leve wished to make bis entrance in
to his future home as became the
prospective master of a million and a
half money, and John was desirous of
not suffering in Clements eyes by any
comparison with the other gentlemen
who would probably be there.
Scarcely had they entered the draw
ing room when the ladies' appeared,
the true widow Glare no longer in the
unassuming toilet she had hitherto
worn, bu. magnificent in white crepe
lisse and satin, her arms and throat
and pretty head flashing with sap
phires diamonds. Her companion had
assumed now the role of simplicity,
and Cleve was disappointed with the
first glance at her plain white Cham
berry gauze dress.
John had seen nothing but the bright
face Of the girl he loved and the love-
light in her eyes. Before she could
speak he had taken both her hands and
whispered, .Deareat and best and
loveliest Clement"
Her emile answered him first. Then
she saiuI: "Pardon me, Mr.. Selden but
we have been In masquerade all sum-