Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-08-16
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, AUG. l6, 1882

came In dressed for q walk, AZ q mat
ter Of course, he took his hati'
What are your plans for this morn
ingr
u do not feel equal to much watkins
this morning. Mrs, Heneage said, 'sC
| think shall sit down behind thC
Lantern rock, Maud will stay there
with me, and IN the afternoon We vii
60 along the Tor walks
'Very WE'LL Gerald said i will
see you comfortably Seated, aud then
shall 60 for walk inland, and bc back
to lunch
Three minutes later, Nt u turn Of the
walk, they came suddenly. upon PAU
Gossttt.
why, Mrs, HcncOge, this Is indeed
u pleasure, hc said, as hc shook hand'
with mother and daughter, with a
warmth that showed that their ac-
quaintancc was IN intimate one. How
long have you been down hcrcI aud
how long are you going to stayF
Thea, rs his eye fell for tho first
time on Gerald, who was At this
moment wishing in his heart that he
had arrived just too latc that morning
to save his life, he recognized him.
Ah, Mr.. Maydcld, ] did net recog-
nizc you. ! had not seen you dressed
before, which must be my excuse. DO
you know, Mrs. IIeneage, this gentle
man saved my life this morning.
Mrs. Hcncagc and Maud uttered an
exclamation Of surprise.
1T was ~ mere nothing, Gerald
said, almost rudcly. 'lIc was tired (;
so swan ont to him, aud he put his
hand on my shoulder till II boat came.
1t is not worth mentioning.
Maud looked up in surprise at the
tone in which Gerald had spoken, but
Paul Gossctt, without apparently no.
ticng the rudcncss of Gerald's tone,
went on.
NO, Mrs. Heneage, it is of no use
for Mr.. Maylield to try and put aside
the obligation in that way. 1t was, l
can assure you, II most gallant action
of his. And | am ashamed to say that
l lost my presence of mind, and was
within an ace of drowning us both
And he proceeded to.relate the story.
Excuse my interrupting you,' Ger
aid said, 'bnt rs don't want to listen
to my own exploits, will go off for
walk
That fellow has come down on pur-
pose to see Maud Heneage,' Gerald
said to himself, us he strodc along the
country road. Il should not be sur
prised if they are engaged, or next door
to it. Well, after long pause, Il
had no reason in tho world to suppose
that she cared for me ; ! don't suppose
she ever gave the matter thought one
way or another
1t was late in the afternoon when
Gerald returned to the hotel, having
walked some thirty miles since starting.
He had by this time made up his mind
that he would stand aside and see what
came of it. IF Maud Heneage was in
love with this man, the matter would
soon be settled, and it was not for him
to act as spoil-sport to their wooing.-
This resolution he proceeded to carry
into execution; and for the next week
started early upon long walks, and did
not return until late, leaving the field
open to his rival, an opportunity of
which Paul Gossett was Lot slow to
avail himself. He had months before
resolved to win Maud Hcneage. She
was pretty, stylish and had money
Hitherto his wooing had progressed
but slowly, but now he made the most
of the opportunity left for him by his
rivals folly. For Gerald Mayfield had
indeed thrown down the cards when
the game was in his hands. Although
he was wholly unskilled in wooing,
Maud Heneage had had sufficient ex.
perienco in being wooed to feel that
this man loved her. And the thought
was not unpleasant to Her. She felt
that he was strong, and tender, and
true; and when "A girl feels this of a
man, unless her affections are pre-en-
gagged, there is but little doubt what
her answer will be when the question
is asked. when, therefore, Gerald
suddenly gave up walking with her,
and left her to the care of Paul Cos
set, she was alike surprised and panied.
Had she had an opportunity of speak
ing with him alone, she would have
frankly asked him if she had offended
him; but he seemed to avoid all OPP
portunity for explanation; and, from
nr;,,o .nI nin,ie she lauUhed and talk |