Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-05-24
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, MAY "a, 1882.

smiling matter TO Grant blanchard,
this dethronement Of the beautiful idol
he had carried all these years,
'Getling ready, ! s'sposef' querried
the former.
'l,eady for WHAT asked Miss Lud-
wick, with q blush and silly laugh.
you've concluded not to walt for
that chap that went away few years
ago, ! hear, and that young man COM
Ing to your house every week don't
mean anything, s'pose, said tho old
man, with an intelligent smile,
Il don't see It, was the quick reply,
as she tossed her head and simpcred.
Grant Blanchard groancd,
Success TO the young man who
comes every week said Ralph Emory,
fervently, 'and you might as well say
amen, Grant, for think TINT last
bit Of slang has cured YOU
Verify Grant Burchard was in an
unenviablc frame Of mind, He was
like onc who has rcyelcd in a delicious
dream Of beauty, and awakes to n
stern aud wrctchcd reality, lie was
thinking il all over, rs he loungcd with
his friend upon the porch of tho country
hotel, where they stopped for the night
when his rcvcrie wos put to flight by
the fragrance Of sweet brier--a per-
fumc that always came to him laden
with sweetest memories.
The parlor was in shadow, but they
heard the floating sounds Of woman's
garments, and sweet, low voice,
chatting intclligcntly with an elderly
gentleman. The conversation was of
sufficient length to prove that this lady
with the starry blossoms of sweet brier
twined in her hair was II woman Of
original thought and rare cultivation.
The old man asked for music, aud the
lady swept the piano keys with skill
full fingers, and filed the room with
rare, sweet melody. AS the last notes
died away, and the soft garments float
cd out, Grant Burchard exclaimed:
My Amy should have had a voice
like that
Ralph Emory thought of the harsh
and discordant tones in the railway
car, and with a smile that made his
companion vince, quoted the slang
phrase i uvii
The next day, Grant Burchard and
his FREUD stood at the gate of the Lud-
wick homestead. 1t was a fine old
place, and the garden was pretty
SIGHT with its rare and beautiful flowers
arranged with exquisite taste. Grant
had thought Of this visit for years,
when he should come alone to claim
Amy, but now he was glad to bring
his friend, that no mention might be
made of claims. A lady stood in the
garden path. She turned. and there
were the dark curls, brown eyes, and
ungraceful manner of the travelling
companion ofthc previous day. Grant
Burchard stepped forward.
Good morning, Miss Ludwick.'
1t is sadly cold and changed from
the fervent Amy he had always called
her in his thoughts.
Good morning, sirs, responded the
harsh voice, while a scared look came
into the brown eyes, as she regarded
the distinguished looking strangers
A minute more and she exclaimed en-
Enthusiastically:
why, Grant Burchard, if it amt
you. How glad AMI
And she gave him hearty hand
shake, and poured forth u torrent of
questions as she led him into the house,
and went to call the family.
The gentlemen glanced about the
parlor. Everything was neat and
beautiful, and the careful disposition of
books and furniture betokened cultl-
waited taste. The piano was open, and
two pairs of critical eyes noted with
surprise the difficult piece of mnslc
standing on the rack.
The faint perfume of sweet brier
stealing in the open window filed the
room with delightful aroma, and
Grant Burchard smiled in spite of HIM
self-this cosy palace was so like his
imaginary home for his ideal Amy.
A few minutes elapsed, and the
smile was gone. His dream died when
the curly-hcaded maiden entered the
room, bringing old Mr.. Ludwick, who
grasped his hand with a cordial tender
ness, and greeted him in hearty tones