Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-14

she thought; "and when once their
affection is thoroughly mine, will not
let them withdraw it from Inc, merely
because am Octavia Durell instead of
jamie Weldonw
And this beautiful young impostor
had not been week in the house
before she had won all hearts. Sac was
grandma's darling Eudora's confdant,
the pet and sunshine Of the house.
And oh, how her heart beat when Mrs.
Durell looked at her tenderly one even
ing, and said, with kiss:
"Dear little jamie, | was thinking
how many thousand dollars would
give if Sigismund's wife were like
YOU"
Octavia turned first red, then
white.
Mrs. Durell," she said, hurriedly,
"if l were Sigismund's wife ."
And just then bevy Of guests were
shown in. And the words of confes-
sion were checked on Octavia's lips.
But the secret betrayed itself at last,
as secrets will always do.
1t was rosy December sunset, the
snowy fields all dyed with carmine, the
huge fire of mo5sy logs cracking in
the tiled fireplace Of Durell court.
The old lady was serenely DOING in the
blaze, and Eudora was helping her
guest to arrange roses, fresh gathered
from the greenhouse, in antique ma
iolica vases, when the door suddenly
opened and tall, well-molded figure
strobe in.
well mother! Well, Eudora--"
The old lady started up with cry.
Eudora looked with dilated, wondering
eyes; but first and swiftest Of them
all Octavia was in her husbands
arms.
"Sigismund" she cried, Historically
"oh, Sigismund''
Old Mrs. Durell recovered herself
with an effort, and looked on in amaze
ment.
"Sigismund,' said she, Il did not
know that this lady"
This lady, mother" he answered,
brightly, sis the sweetest and dearest
little lady in all the world to ue--my
wife.'
And Octavia md her face on her,
mother-in-law's shoulder.
Dear Mrs. Durcll," she whispered
forgive me for stealing your heart by
strategy, for, indeed, l despaired OF
ever winning it in any other way.
jamie Weldon told me that might
borrow her personality. She, too, is
coming after New Years, and"
I'm sure" said Mrs. DurelI, ner
vously wiping her spectacle glasses,
II don't know what to say"
"Say 4 forgive you,'" said Octayia;
and say also, i love you, daughter "
II love you, dear little daughter"
said the old lady, falteringly. "And as
for forgiying why, | am not certain
but that ! need forgiveness the most
of ALL"
While little Eudora clung closely to
the young wife's side.
81 don't care whether you are my
stepmother or not" she said. 81 love
you, and shall always call you man.
ma, now"
And then the happy, excited little
group gathered around the fire, and
explanations followed all around.
Octavia had to recount for her the lit
tie plot, so often nearly betrayed by the
fullness of her own heart. Sigismund
had to relate the combination of cir.
cumstances by which he had obtained
years leave of absence from his
Eastern consulate, and managed to
take them by surprise; and more
joyful little household was nowhere to
be found.
81 was beginning to wonder why
Mrs. Durell, junior, did not come"
said the old lady, with smile.
And | was dreading it, terribly"
said Eudora, "and all the time the
mischievous darling was in our very
midst
And that very evening Octavia sat
down and wrote to jamie Weldon what
II success her plot had proved.