Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-07
Silver Hair and Gold.

"Why don't you speak for yourself
john"
TO Priscilla Ballard's excited fancy
everything seemed to be echoing the
audaciOus query.
If John could only have known it,
Priscilla had loved him ever since she
used to sit on his knee and listen tc
fairy stories when she was a child, and
he was studying law with her father
who was now dead. And her childish
love had gained color and fragrance,
and had fastened its root deep in her
being, as she grew to lovely young
womanhood.
But John had a little silver in his
hair, and Priscilla had nothing but
gold in hers. He felt like a grave an
tediluvian among her gay young
friends, and never imagined it posi-
bic that she could be the mistress of
any house Of his more substantial than
an aerial castle in the rosy world of
day-dreams.
And so, ostrich-like, he hid the
avowal of his love- and never dreamed
that its fact was plainly apparent to
the hazel eyes of Priscilla Ballard.
How she longed for the courage of
the Puritan Priscilla, to enable her to
say, "Why don't you speak for your
self, John?" rs he paused in his inter
ceSsion for Will, to note the effect of
his pleading.
1t was IA small wonder that Will
rhorndyke couldn't take "No" for an
answer, even after Priscilla had given
it to him dozen times, but as last
resort had implored John Pardee's
mediation and influence.
John--modest, true-hearted fellow
thought there was no reason why
another should not have what he had
no hope of winning, and promised to
advocate Wills cause.
But Johns heart and tongue were at
war, and his eloquence was not forci
bic enough to convince Priscilla.
II really cannot answer for the con-
sequences, Priscilla" said he, 'if you
give Will no encouragement. l came
upon him standing on the cliff by
Silver Falls, last Sunday, and he said
that he had great mind to end his
troubles, then and there, by fiinging
himself over"
81 wish he would" said Priscilla,
saucily. "Or, at least" she added
hastily, 81 wish he would fall in love
with Kitty Medford. Why doesn't he ?
She can sing better than |, and her
nose is straight, while mine is tip-tilt-
ed, like the petal of flower" tapping
her pretty retrousse nose and signing
ruefully.
kitty Medford" exclaimed John,
with infinite disdain. "What is her
summer-day beauty compared to the
fascination of girl like you, whose in
finite variety is her infinite charm? If
Will is in love, he isn't blind, by any
means"
And Johns expressive eyes looked
at Priscilla with an admiration not
strictly impersonal.
"If you think I'm so charming, why
don't you speak for yourself, Johnt'
That was what Priscilla said men
tally, and longed to say audibly.
"Why can't Priscilla Ballard be as
brave as Priscilla Mullins?" she
thought. "She can! She willp
Desperately clutching her dimpled
hands in the violet folds of her dress,
she began "Why don't yoll--" then
stopped, while her hands, neck, face,
and even her little ears, were turned
to pink coral by the great, rosy wave
of shame that came surging from her
heart.
Suppose, after all, that she had been
mistaken in thinking that John loved
her, and he should answer her daring
question by because [ don't care to
Priscilla?"
"Why don't I stop bothering you