Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-05-10
THE STAGE DRIVERS WIFE.

-Four bay horses dashed in fine styl
up to the door Of the inn, pulling be-
them the gorgeous red stage, whicl
swayed and rccled and rocked in {
fashion that made the more nervous
passengers vince and shiver.
Hollistcr threw his rcins to the stable
boy and went into the house, IIc was
a bluff, big-fsted fcllow-rather rough
looking in his wolf-skin ovcrcoat anG
broad visored cap. Nobody ever doubt
ed the kindness of heart under tha,
unpublished exterior, however.
Now, as he tramped through the big
hall, on his way to the bar-room, he
paused at the sight of n female figure
in one dim corner, with her face Drop
ped into both hands, and her whole At
titude one Of sorrow and despair. The
figure was slender and young, clad in
a well.worn gray suit, and the hands
on which the brown head was bowed
were white and delicate.
Il beg your pardon, ma'am. Are
you in trouble! Can be of service TO
you"
Then the girl looked up, and Hollis
ter recognized the daughter of man
who had been at the inn for some
weeks--a man whom the driver had
,ls "S nestatisp sta bac&it il &aitassin9 as an "dven
He had pitied the girl on that night
when he had first seen hcr-when he
had brought them out from the city ;
for she seemed lady, with her quiet
ways, and her wistful eyes, and not at
all fitted for life of Bohemianism,
such as her father was leading her.
She looked up, say, and meeting
the expression Of honest kindliness in
Frank HOLSTERS dear, gray eyes, she
struggled moment for self-control,
and then burst into tears.
Frank squared his broad shoulders
before her in order to screen her from
the curious gaze of any who might
pass through the hall, and waited in
silence.
Presently the girl raised her head
once more, looked at him with tear
strained eyes and said with quivering
lips:
Il am in trouble, sir. Yours are the
first friendly words l have heard to-
day. My father here a crimson flush
dyed her fair brow-my father has left
me; where he has gone do not know.
l am absolutely alone among strangers,
and our bill here is unpaid
For one instant Frank looked at her
doubtfully, and then with sudden
rush of self shame and chivalry, his
hand went into his breast pocket and
drew therefrom big leather pocket
book.
The girl made little indignant ges.
ture, and looked at him with wide.
opened, naughty eyes.
Sir! scarcely expected an insult.
Whcreupon Frank began hurried
and indignant repudiation of her insin-
uation. He insult woman He
who had the dearest mother and the
sweetest little sister in the world, away
off there in the Eastern States, praying
for him F.!
'P'raps l aint so dainty in my choice
of words as l might be, lady. I'm a
rough fellow at best; but I'm dreadful
soft hearted where woman is con-
cerned. If you choose to look on me
us friend and a straight man-ont
that never goes back on his word, you
shan't be disappointed. Now, then
how can l serve you?
The big pocket-book had disappeared
and the girls face softened at his rougl
gallantry. She extended one littl'
hand frankly.
Forgive me, sir; l know that yo'
are all that you seem. l cannot ac
cept any pecuniary aid from you or an,
one. The landlord has offered me
situation as table girl shall accept i
and in that way can pay our indebted