Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-01-26

. "Rather a pretty costume you have
: to DO donned solely Tor the admiration
} Of tho ssa-gulls," he continued, look
Ing down at the dainty :dress, 10 per
feet In all Ia belongings, with the ey'
ola man who considered himself q
eonnoisseur IN feminine apparel-a!
belt inclined TO use Ills taste for III
condemnation.
~ dress for myself Mr., Arnold,
and fortunately am able 10 crafty my
self. / have often wondered how
men, who are no severe upon women
for their love OF tho beautiful, would
like their wives 10 appear In ill'iiIlIng
garments, or IN slalterns, by the
way, did you ever see u man who d'd
not return slraightway TO his tailor a
coat which had In II a crooked seam,
or an ugly wrinkle =
II can't say | ever did he replied,
laughing, while he suddenly rcmcm'
bercd that, In all his imagiolngs, the
old.iashioned girl who was his IDEAL
had never presented herself in old
fashioned garments.
The hop that evening Mr.. Arnold
voted success, though he usually re-
gareed them as necessary borcs'
Miss Kingsland had made dancing
an art lie could have wished tic
music to last forever, as she floaled
through the room on his arm. She
was like some beautiful dream
OF course he decided mentally -
Garry her into the waking realities OF
life, and you would destroy the charm
Still, there was u freshness, apiqu-
oncy, in her conversation, w''lci not
only attracted, but held him.
To come into her presence was
seeking a more braclng atmosphere,
and ere many days had fled, Claud
Arnold found himself counting the
hours no. spent with her as wasted
hours. Yet, that there was any dam
ger TO himself or to her. he never
dreamed.
He had made for himself m ideal
to which she was IN every way the
opposite. Fashion and luxuries were
to her necessities. The woman he
marries must have u mind above such
trivialities.
Meantime the ideal for the present
was set aside, and the glittering, al
Turing reality enjoyed.
Three weeks had passed since he
had met Miss Klngsland, when, stand
ing one morning on the piazza, wait,
ing for her to join him for a promised
drive; and idly scanning the morning
papers, just delivered at the hotel, his
eye fell upon the startling announce
ment of the temporary. but it was
feared permanent, suspension Of
Kingsland & Co., New York's great
bankers.
These we're troublous times, when
the weak and strong tottered togelh-
er. Their failure would cause loss
to himself of several thousands; but
this Claud Arnold never gave but a
passing memory.
His whole thought was filled with
the Girl on whom the crushing blow
must fall.
"How pale You look" said sweet
voice beside him. care You not well
Shall we not 60.
He turned toward the speaker
How lovely she looked-lovely moi
only with natures loveliness, but al
4,
the accessory Of perfect taste added te
mako perfect Whole.
Her dress seemed moulded to the
exquisite form, her glove 10 the tiny
hand; her hat rested gracefully or
the small, well-poised head.
Rob this girl of all externals, ant
she would still be beautiful; but ii
would be like robbing the rose OF it
dark green leaves which seems to be-
long to it by right. ,
How would she bear poverty and
failure? She should not, if he cou!(
save her from them. In that moment
he knew how false were his sophls-
tries, and how all unconciously he hat
learned the lesson Love only teaches
At first they were both silent on 'hel
drive: then she turned toward him
, with a sort of silent sympathy in hel
voice.
"Tell me what troubles you!" she
, said.
"Oply," he answered, shat an
waking from dream, and it is TO
YOU to decide whether my waking
= shall be of earth or heaven. Maud,
, love YOU The dearest wish | hav