Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-06-16
ICoueluded nom first page I

yOuIseli ypull w Wel "nV"' NV
turned out Of doors for nothing III
engage 10 that II Isn't the way w In
our pats with q indicative look At
the landlady, who stood rlgldly plant
cd IN the doorway, We don't sci UP
to be extra Chrislians, but there's q
little honesty and deeency LETT among
US, which il more Than can DO said tor
all places, Well, what do you say
Yes or no, There's my hand on II II
Ii yes,
Ito held oul hls broad palmN Laoy
hesilated, but for u moment only,
Yes, | will she said, I've no
where else 10 90, aud yon seem 80
kind,
Another momenl and they were
driving oA' together down The maple
shaded road, whose yellow and erin
son boughs danced overhead against
'Oc,obers bright blue weather There
were peace anG calming IN the fresh
stiffness Of the early day, Gradually
q little color stole into l.ucys pale
cheeks, aud Johns hot mood gave
place 10 wonlcd good humor aud
cheer
You'yc had no breakfast, III bet,
he said, with smile, And no moro
have |. | was 80 mad with that wo'
man tia, | couldn't swallow % mouth
tnl, but now | begin 10 feel sharp
enough, Wen stop ut the next 'av'
EN-, Soulhwick, isn't ~ Five miles
aud Il halt Can you hol' oul I'll
then ?
oh yes, indeed, with u grateful
look out Of the blue eyes.
johns tone grew more and more
friendly,
Wen have something hot and
hearty there he said, You look
pale. guess you didn't sleep any
too much last night,
oh, | couldn't sleep at aIl. Mrs
Nash told me must 90 the first thing
in the morning, and felt 50 badly.
Il shouldn't think you'd want to
stay with woman like that
BIT It is 80 dreadful TO have no.
where to 20 to, Aud besides She
stopped abruptly with y look Of terror
in her eyes.
'lIayc YOU no friends, them asked
John, !
No The tone was very reserved
but reserve could hardly fail to melt
under so sunshiny presence as John
Boyd's, and before the long days ride
was done, he had won from her the
main facts of her story.
Lucy Dill was her name Her
mother had married Tor the second
time when Lucy was twelve years old,
and three years ago. when the girl
was barely fifteen, had died, leaving
her to the protection Of her s'epfather
She didn't know what sort OF
man he was said Incy. Aud he was.
MT that kind OF man Shcn she was
alive. | was too young to notice
r,uch, and mother always put herself
between him and me when things
went wrong. After she died it was
dreadful. Elkins-that's his son-
came ZONE to live. lie never lived
there before, and-ani he
Wanted to marry your
Yes; and his father said must.
But I was afraid OF him-ot them
both. And people began to come to
the house-bad people, not good--and
began to suspect things
'What kind Of things?'
1t was not easy to get an answer to
the question. in fact, the terrified
and inexperienced girl had hardly
dared to formulate her own fears, but
John gathered the idea that coming or
other unlawful practices were going
on, and Lucy, only half comprehend
ing, had understood enough to starlle
and lrighten her into making her es'
cape. She had effected this by night,
six weeks before, and her great dread
was of being discovered and forced to
90 back. John re assured her as we'll
as he could.
You'll be just az safe at the farm as
if you were in an iron safe he pre-
tested.
But, spite OF his assurance, the
lurking terror never left Lncy's eyes,
though weeks sped safely BY, and
nothing occurred to alarm her. Ev.
cry sudden noise made her start; the
sight OF strange figure on the road
blanched her roses to psleness. Elk.
| IL l.