Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-12-21
WOODsTOCK, VERMONT, DEC. 81, 1881.

aud scornlng deceit and unworlhlness
from the bottom Of her soul, her pride
could not brook the insult OF this letter.
She well understood how easily the
mistake had happened, Doubtless the
letter which had been intended for her
had been inclosed In an envelope to
this slack" whoever he might be and
In tho hurry Of sending the letters,
Howard Winthrop had not discovered
bis error.
For one moment the girl stood like
stone, with dry eyes, and PALE sct face |;
then straight to her father sho went,
aud laid tho letter before him,
Ip less than an hour Howard VIM
throp. received letter from Mr. Ar
mold, inclosing ono from Margaret, In
which he received his dismissal, both
from his situation IN the firm and from
Margaret's presence.
There were no words Of explanation
sought by Margaret and ber family.
Impulse had ruled things with high
hand, and pride kept the girl from q
broken heart, although she quivered
and moaned with pain for months
after.
Several letters from young Winthrop,
received at the time of the affair, were
promptly returned unopened, and soon
he loft the city, and was seen no more
by his former friends.
Since then, Mr.. Arnold's failure and
death had left his wife and daughter in
circumstances so different from former
days, that they withdrew from society
Mrs. Arnold settled herself in one Of
Connccticut's small villages, and Mar
garct had drifted, after many weary
days, into Mrs. Granger's family as
governess. With the children she was
peacefully happy; with Mr.. aud Mrs.
Granger on terms Of simple good-feel-
ing. With Isabel she was stranger,
save for the formal morning and eve
ming salutation.
'The young lady, who possessed only
the riches which her fathers daily toll
had accumulated for her, rs her sole
attraction, could not we'll conceal her
envy of her little brother and sisters
yovernoss, since the latter was bcauti-
full in face and figure, and attractive,
even in her poverty and dependence,
for the refinement and dclicacy Of her
nature.
Whatever Margaret Arnold wore
whether simple flower in her hair,
brought her from the conservatory by
the loving hands of her little pupils, OF
the plain white collar round her perfec
throat, or though she threw carelessly
about her shoulders the worsted shaw
which Isabel had cast aside as unfit fol
wear and unfashionable-still the con
trast between the governess and thu
, young lady of the house was by heavy
odds in favor of the former, and lsabe
grew sick at heart with envy. Moth
ing that young damsel might don
whether jewelry rich and rare, or robes
of silk and velvet, could cause or helE
her outshine the perfect loveliness Of
quiet, gentle Margaret, who daily
clothed herself in black, and wore nc
jewels save the pearl pin which iucloset
her fathers hair.
III had not been for fear Of annoy
ance from the children, Isabel woult
gladly have sent Margaret home at thu
time when she expected so much COM
pany, lest by chance some admirin@
eye should discover her.
Miss Arnold, can you put the chill
dren to bed tonight! l have sen'
nurse on an errand, and she is detained
and 1 thought you wouldn't mind taking
charge of them tonight, you know
And afterward, would you mind com
ing down to help Isabel and her friend
dress for the party at Miss Howe's'
Your ;tasteg,is so good, you see, ane
really I'll be very much obliged. II
isn't in the line of your duties here,
know, but maybe
I'll oblige you, certainly, madam, Il
you think me competent to suggest ii
the matters of dress, replied Marga'
ret.
And she put the little ones to bed, re-
warded for her care by hearing Harry''
loud whisper to Elsie, that 'he thought
Miss Arnold the prettiest lady in the
world, and be wished she was his own
sister, stead Of Isabel, and went down
to the dressing-rooms to help Isabel
and her friend.
There she learned more Of their prl.
yate affairs than interested her; but