Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-02-07

mother almost invariably called him
(tor had she not been RollestonY hat
30 far forgotten what was due to hi
iamily, that he had thought seriously O
Stepping down from his high estate, ant
making the young teacher his wife.
Fortunately for her own peace O
mind, Mrs. Hoffner was ignorant of hel
sons infatuation. To be sure, she haf
heard from her friend Mrs. Sherwood
that Guy was very attentive to Mis-
Ashley but, as she remarked to thai
lady, it was "ordinary civiity, my deal
Mrs. Sherwood. Nothing more, as
sure you."
"My dear Mrs. Sherwood" shook hel
heard when repeating this remark to
her daughter Belle, and said, sagely
Its something more than ordinary
civility that makes every one so atten
tive to Miss Ashley"
The red and gold of October gave
place to Novembers somber brown, and
this, in turn, made way for December's
SHOWS; but il was not till after the New
Year, white and pure, had come, that
Guy Hoifner ceased to compare Helen
Ashley with any one-she was the one
woman in all the world to him now. In
true and manly style, he wrote her a
long letter, told her his feelings and
offered his hand and heart.
Curiously enough, on the very same
Gay, DIR. Cluness wrote letter. 1t cost
him good deal of time and thought,
for he did not want to write-he would
have much preferred telling Helen
Ashley what was in his heart-but it
seemed impossible for him to meet her
alone. She very seldom attended the
little social gatherings at Saybridge, and
when she did, some exasperating patient
would be sure to send for him; and on
the rare occasions that he permitted
himself to call upon her, he had the
unpleasant feeling that either Mrs.
Winterne was within comfortable hear.
ing distance, or she might be. But
surely woman never read more tender,
loving words than those in which DR..
Cluness told his love and asked for the
dear privilege Of making Helen Ashley
his wife.
He waited a little while in his office
for the return of his messenger-it was
only few minutes walk-and asked
him to whom he had given the note.
'Into Mrs. Winternes own hand, sir.
She opened the door herself, sir" was
the answer; and the doctor felt it had
reached its destination.
To say that Helen Ashley slept sound.
ly that night, and that mo ill dreams
disturbed her rest, would be an exag-
geration.
1t was long past midnight when Guy
Hotiner's letter was answered, and long
afterward she sat with her Lowed head
resting on her hands; but no letter was
addressed to DR.. Cluness, on that any
succeeding day.
1t was "nine days WONDER" when
Guy Hoffner lett Saybridge for foreign
tour. Society in general was informed,
through the medium of Mrs. Sherwood,
that "My son Guy had long contem-
plated visit to my family-the ROLES
tons, you know-in Yorkshire; and
alter spending some time there, he
would in all probability visit the con
tinent before returning home"
SO the mother, in total ignorance Of
the why and wherefore OF her sons
going, bestowed her blessing upon him,
and he vert his way-save Helen
Ashley, no one but Belle Sherwood
understood why. Neither love nor
friendship is bind.
The girl teacher dropped visibly dur
ing that long and dreary winter. She
told herself that it was the close con
tinement in her overheated school.room,
and the tiresome monotony Of her
music, and that when spring should
come all would be different. Never
had she so longed for spring warmth,
and sunshine; but when they came, they
brought no change to her. Other eyes
beside those of DR.. Cluness noted the
change in the slender girl. Mrs
Winterne talked cheerfuily of young
folks "who dropped right off, without
much in particular being the matter
with them," asked if consumption was
in the family, and when Helen replied
that her mother had died of that dread
disease, said, "Just SOL thought So"
The village gossips began to whisper
that it was Guy Hoffner's absence that
wrought this Change. Dr. Cluness
heard this story, and wondered if it
could be true. He treated Miss Ashley
with the same unvarying kindness he
had always shown. In very truth, he
pitied the fair young gill--child she
seemed to him and he would have
guarded her so tenderly!
He had seen no change in her manner
toward him, since the time he wrote her
that memorable letter, save that, the
first time she met him after that little
episode, she had hesitated moment,
while vivid flush of crimson mounted
even to her white forehead, and then
she had looked at him with sweet, grave
eyes, and placed her hand in his.
While he held it, he registered
mental vow, that as she trusted him,
so lie would be worthy of the trust. He
would trouble her no more. His dream
was over.
Only once was he sorely tempted to
break this vow. It was in the bright
June days, when, in the most fatherly
manner, he had asked her to take
drive with him. She rad consented to
gladly, and had appeared to enjoy her.
self so much; had talked with him of
the old happy time when she had been
q petted child in her ather's house,
and of her present little school trials
and worries, and how anxiously she was
looking forward to her summer holi.
days. She acknowledged that she was
$50 tired" with little wistful look that
went straight to the doctors heart. 1t
seemed as if he must again tell her how
dear she was to him, and entreat her to
reconsider her decision.
But very soon lie was glad he had
not 80 spoken. Tire conversation
CHANGED to turn upon q approaching
lecture on Phrenology, and he asked
if she were believer in the science.
81 must be, to q certain extent" she
answered, "for / once had an eminent
phrenologist disarrange my hair sadly,
while he made few remarks on the
shape of my head, and"-she hesitated.
"Did he tell you some home truths?"
inquired the doctor.
"He told me that I very seldom said
or did anything that I afterward re-
pretted, or repented of"