Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-31

Gus, trying to laugh. "Why, there's
nothing in all the world that they can't
dol l may be returned yet as one of
the representatives of some hitherto
unnamed territory; and in that case,
I'll do my best to pass law that no
political influence shall drive Il hard
working girl from her place, to make
room for an overdressed widow who
wants to earn a little more pin
money"
"Crocusr
wouldn't be good idea, a,mamma?
But now must sit down and count
the money | have left Of this months
salary. | am not by any means sure
that | have enough to take us to
Dakota-unless indeed we were to sell
the old pearl brooch that belonged to
your mother And I've a sort of fancy
that luck would desert us if we parted
with that old pearl brooch"
Later in the afternoon, Crocus Gra-
ham put on the pink moss-rose gown,
with pretty little hat of rose-colored
Grape, which she had herself made
and crept out under the shadow of the
great lime-trees in the capitol grounds,
to hear the band play.
All the world was there. the bellies
OF the great city, the fashionables, the
notabillties. Elegant carriages block
ed up the drives; rainbow groups
studded the velvet lawns; and almost
the first thing which Crocus saw was
the tall figure of the twenty-ffth
auditor, standing beside Senator
Stal&cup's carriage, while that rubi-
cund parsonage gesticulated vehement
ly, and Mrs. Altamont leaned smiling
ly forward, beneath the golden-shadow
of her amber-lined parsol.
"My cousin must be provided for,
don't you see?" said the senator.
"And they tell me that your depart
ment is the pleasantest place in the
Treasury Building; and if there isn't
any vacancy just now, why, you must
nuke one! Nothing can be easier, l
am sure"
"You think so?" said the twenty
fifth audior who was a tall man, with
Indian-dark hair and eyes, and a
NapoleOnic conformation of brow.
"Think 50, man? know it" said
the senator. "Rotation in Office
that's the only safe rule. Keep the
wheel turning-make matters lively"
Just then the line of carriages be-
gan to move slowly on.
The auditor stepped back; Mrs.
AltamOnt waved her cream -gloved
hand, and the roseate countenance of
Senator Stalkcup was waited from
view.
AS the auditor turned into path
sweet with roses and shadowed with
the dropping gold" of laburnum, he
came face to face with Crocus, sitting
on rustic bench of twisted cedar
boughs.
"Mr. Harrington~ sh1 exclaimed
with a start.
Miss Graham
"I-I only came out to hear the
band play, and get Il little breath of
fresh air." faltered Crocus.
ut is a beautiful place here" said
Mr.. Harrington, gravely.
lie had known Miss Graham for
two years now. lie had seen her
daily at her desk; he had exchanged
courteous salutations with her, as she
came, every morning, out of the yellow
Southern sunshine into the cool arcades
of the marble pillared Treasury Build
ing, with roses in her bosom, and the
soft flush of youth and health on her
| cheek.
Her dead father had been good tc
him, as a young man, and he had
never forgotten this. And besides.
But Crocus' heart sank piteously, as
he looked down at her with that seri
Gus, observant eye of his.
"IIe is thinking how he shall break
it to me- she thought to herself. ooh
dear. oh, dear! | wish it were all over
and l was safe on the Dakota farm
with mamma and the beehives."
He spoke at last, after what seemed
an interminable silence--spoke in q
low, earnest voice.
"Miss Graham" he said, did you
ever think of leaving the depart.
ment?"
"Of giving up my ofice?" uttered
Crocus, quickly.
yes" he said. 81 suppose, Of
course, it would amount to that"
Crocus rose and stood playing with
the tassel on her fan in nervous sort
of way.
at is very kind of you to lead up tc
the subject so carefully. Mr.. Harring
ton," said she, "but--but | know all
about it already"
He looked at her with puzzled, in.
tent eyes.
do not see how that can be posi-.
bic, Miss Graham" said he.
ooh, am quicker-sighted than you
think" Crocus answered, witha forced
laugh. Il have seen it coming fol
some time. 1t is scarcely necessary
suppose, to ask my opinion"
But it is iSnecessary- very necessary