Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-05-02
Ill.

1t was a "nipping and an eager air, "
that almost froze the breath upon ones
lips-a bitter, snowy day in January.
Carlton had taken horse.car, din
ner-ward bound, and, finding it full,
took his stand beside the driver.
That farewell blessing of Miss Tren-
te's had proved very potent one In
tha year since, "Carlton's luck" had
become trite phrase among his
friends. His face was fortune in it.
self, they said. Not that he was pc
culiarly handsome, but there was a
light of steadfastness in his eyes, and
Grmness of purpose in the curve of his
mouth, that must win, soon or late.
Some said he had changed with his
changing fortune. There was GER
tain brightness wanting in his glance,
and somehow his read was less CHEEKY,
but he was no less generous or brave,
and only fractions critic could have
found fault in him as he stood there,
facing the shower Of snowhakes with
strength and good-nature written un-
mistakably in face and figure, and a
CLEAN Of compassion in his eyes when
they rested on the tired horses or a
thinly-clad passer-by.
GLOW are all, Mike?' he began, be-
slowing a genial smile upon the driver,
whose family history had become IA
miliar to him in his rides to and from
his Office.
Sure, the wife's worse, and two of
the childer have the masles, and there
was only one little creature, a wee
mite, sure, scarcely able to climb into
a chair herself; left to nurse them, and
provisions were scarce, the doctors
charges terrible" ETC., etc. The adj
denda were unusually serious and pa
thetic to-day. Evidently Mike was
mot aisy in his mind"
"Why, you ought to be with them,'
said Jack.
"Och, how could | be? I'd lose Inc
place entirely, sir, said Mike, ruefully.
But Cartoons sympathy aroused; he
never failed in possible service.
"You know me as friend of your
employers. will make it all right
with them. Just step off here and go
home" he commanded, peremptorily.
AN what'll become of the horses 2"
"Ill drive on to the depot and ex.
plain"
sure" cried Mike, enthusiastically,
you're the foinest gentleman l iver
see, and if you're not a gineral, ye
oughter be-"
"All right" Carlton laughed, slip
ping some coin into his admirers hand.
Give it to the little ones, with my
love"
That was how it happened that Miss
Trente, taking car in front of Browne
& Co.'S found herself face to face with
Jack Carleton.
She stared incredulously as he
flushed, lifted his hat, and then quietly
turned the brake and started his
horses.
"Alr. Carlton, is it possible?'
He gave silent glance toward the
crowd looking on. The old look of
wondering compassion, mingled with
else, cleaned on him for a
then she silently passed in
side.
"a delightful position" thought
Jack, rather regretting his quixotsm.
Then came the reflection. What did
it matter? What was he to Hecuba,
or Hecuba to him? And he ground
his teeth together savagely, and forgot
to take up any more passengers.
A gentle touch upon his sleeve re-
called him suddenly, and he stopped
the car without meeting her eyes.
81 am visiting friend here. Will
you come this EVENING"" half-com
mand, half-entreaty; and, before Jack
recovered from his establishment, she
had placed a card in his hand and was
gone.
He never remembered how that
drive was finished.
Some recollection came Of narrow
escape from arrest at the depot, and
he had vague impression of being
abused by some passengers who seemed
to have passed their destination; and
threatened by others who resorted to
jumping off while his horses were be-
ing urged to their utmost speed.
But he did not notice anything par
Iicularly until darkness found him in
Miss Trente's presence. There was a