Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-01-18
Whole No. 2O53.

syllable Of speech, Naomi gloomy aud
Rachel distressed, John ate his meal
silently, and then went to the field with
Mahlon, But he soon made an ex-
Guse to return TO the house, Rachel
was alone there, seated with her face
buried IN her hands, aud 80 intent on
thoughts that she die not hear him
come IN,
what Is the trouble, Raeheli' he
asked,
The girl started up, and the blood
rushed to her face, but she made no
reply,
is It TO be u wedlingF hc continued,
John Paul, thee's-thcc's-'
Or did you send Absalom B. about
his business last nightT
what Is that to thee, Johni Uncle
is displeascd with mo, and aunt Is sor-
ry, and now thee must-What Is il to
thee whether have or notf'
Rachel, sid ho, taking her lremb-
ling hand, aud retaining it in spite of
her effort to withdraw it, 1T is every
thing to me, for love you dearly
The eyes OF the girl filed with sud-
den light: Thee thee love-me.
John read the answer to his question
before he put it, and drew the sobbing
Rachel to his breast.
How long they stood there neither
could tell, but at the sound of Mahlon
Stacy's heavy step on the vcpanda, Ra-
chel made her escape.
what keeps thee in the house,
John!' inquired the farmer, entering
the room. we have work to get
through with
Let that pass for moment, Mr..
Stacy. | have something to say
Who holds now the mortgage on the
farm?
'Why does thee ask!
From no idle curiosity. What is
his name, and where does he live"
His name is Frobisher, and he lives
in New York. 1t is his lawyer Wood
ford, who has the business in hand
'Woodford! Not Charles Woodfordi
So! In that case, make yourself per-
fantly nosv 7 oan orranun oil that for
you.
is thee serious, John Paul! Does
thee think Frobisher would do it for
Mee!'
'Why not? He never refused me
anything l wanted yet, from the time
we went to the same school.
'Thee must be out of thy mind,
John. This Frobisher, they say, is
worth million of dollars. Does thee
expect to influence him? If l didn't
know thy habits, l should say thee'd
been drinking
The man you speak of is worth
more than you say, in estate, but he'll
give you all the time you need. Let
me see. 1t is nearly eight. The
mail closes at ten. / have time to
write Il letter, hitch up, and get to the
post office in good time. You'll have
an answer by tomorrow evening" and
without further words he went out,
harnessed the horse, and drove to the
village, leaving Stacy staring in amaze
ment. When he came back, the
farmer was still in the house, with
Naomi and Rachel, discussing Johns
freak. During that day and the next
morning Mahlon would glance at John
at times with an expression made up OF
hope, and suspicion of Johns sanity.
AT noon next day John quietly hitch
ed up the horse again and without ask
ing leave, drove off, with re-assuring
smile to Rachels inquiring looks as he
went. This was hours before the mail
was due, and John had on his Sunday
clothes, too. He did not get back un-
til supper-time, and then handed let
ter to Mahlon, in the presence of the
rest. 1t was postmarked New York.
and the farmer opened it with tremb-
ling hands.
John, said he, after he had read it,
and handed it to Naomi, thee made no
vain boast. Woodford says | can have
all the time / want. Thee has done
me great service. 1 only wish
knew how 1 could repay thee
Perhaps you can, said John, smil-
ing, and taking Rachel by the hand
Suppose you let me take care of this
young lady in the future?'
why, Rachel! !! cried Mahlon, in as
tonishment. Does thee and John
But Rachel's answer was not distinct
ly audible, her face being too close to
John Paul's waistcoat.
Has thee thought about means to
support a wife ? inquired Naomi, with.