Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-01-14

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dearest lella," said George
MY owa,' said Bella
"lIow happy We are J.
"And when shall We be together
again I You know must so, Your
aunt don't want mo here, Bella !
must toll her, Why ARE you afraid ol
her y
"She's so prim aud good, dear
soul, said Bella,
Ah, you do not love me as do
ycu,'
"Georeel"
"You don't, Would ! let an aunt
stand between Us 7"
ooh, George, you know | have told
you tha. nothing can change NE
Why though you had staid lame, and
had TO walk on crutohes all your lite,
Il would have made no difference,
though ! fell IN love with you io'
walk. ! don't deny It,"
"Oh, oh, oh !" from the doorway,
checked the speech. ThosclaSt words
had well nigh killed Miss Prcciosa
Lockwood lIysterlcs sapervened
and in their midst n gentleman was
announced. The Rev. Peter Green
"Show him in" said PrecIoSa l
need counsel. Perhaps he may give
IT," Aud for the first time in her life
she hailed the appearance Of a man.
Mr.. Loveboy left the room as steal
lhily and 40 speedy as possible. Miss
Bella followed him. Charity was in
the pantry hiding her head. and Deb
orah returned to the cellar
Alone the Lady Superior received
the reverend Peter Green. She fal'
tered and blushcd,
"You are, / presume, already aware
of the fact that l am much disturbed
in mind" she said.
ayes, madam, that is preceptible.'
"Your are, my spiritual adviser, sir.
To you though man, l turn for
advice and she shed tear or two
"My household has turned against me,
and she told him all.
The reverend Peter made big eyes
at her, and broke the truth gently.
my dear madam, do you know
that old Jonathan Todds and your
faithful Deborah intend to unite their
fortune III the bands of holy wedlock
next Sabbath ?"
Know il! Oh, the old sinner
Are they in their dotage p
"Or that Charity Pratt who seems
a likely sort Of girl has promised to
give her hand to Zeddock Saltz. on
Thursday ?"
"Oh, DR.. Green what do hear p
"The truth madam, can you hear
more p
81 hope So
"Then it is time that you should be
informed that Miss Bella Bloom and
Mr.. George Loveboy have been en-
gagged for a year. They have cores
ponded regularly. 1t was to see her
he climbed the garden wall and met
with his accident. Don't give way
madam-don't.'
"You are very kind" said Miss
preciosa. "But it is awful What
would you advise O.
81 should say allow Todd and Dob
orah to marry next Sunday"
"Yes sir"
"And Charity and zeddock on the
day they have fixed. And I should
sanction the betrothal of your niece
and Mr. Loveboy, and allow me to unite
them at some appointed day before
the altar"
"My own niece (" said Miss Pre-
ciosa "My own niece p
"Do you so seriously object to we'd
dings?" asked the pastor.
"No-uo," said Preciosa. at is
this awful courting | dislike
II agree with you" said the pastor.
81 have resolved when l marry to
come to the point at once. Miss Per-
ciosa the parsonage needs a mistress.
1 know of no lady l admire and es-
TEEN as J. do you. Will you make me
happy ? will you be my wife ?"
Preciosa said nothing. Her cheeks
burned, her lips dropped. He came a
little closer. At last his lips approach
ed and touched her cheek, and still
she said nothing.
In such cases speech is silver but
silence is gold.'
Deborah was married Sunday it
being her fortieth birthday. Charity
on Tuesday. Miss Bloom gave her
hand TO George in a month; and on