Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-10-24

don't think he will miss mo after the
first evening or two. Oh, there are
too many pelis in this Paradise! And
poor, good, patient Frank, he will
have one less to provide for. "Yes,
Ill 60 with Uncle Paul"
"lou may is well commit suicide at
once" said Juliet.
"lcull never marry in that wilder
ness" said Mrs. Tcmplcton.
"Thcre are nineteen old maids in
this block, said Gladys. ave count
ed them yesterday. Dora and |. Do
You suppose there are nineteen old
maids on Lake Moechunkamunk?"
"NoAsense" said Mrs. Icmplcton.
"And b Sides added Gladys, the
lau5''t"r failing from her eyes, is it
really the end and am of al! female
humanity to get married? Why
( shouldn't | be an OIL maid as well as
! another! DO yol think l shouldn't
+ survive 1t? Wait and scc.'
Gladys Garl9nd had definitely made
up her mind on the subject. Within
three dnys she had purchased pair of
thick boots, b!uo flannel suit, and a
/ poke bonnet Of rough straw, trimmed
with blue ribbons, and gone out to
Lake Molechunkamunk.
Uncle Paul was glad to see her. He
didn't live in wigwam, as she had
almost taught herself to believe, but
owned n pretty little lodge in this vast
wilderness, shaded with forest trees,
and embowered with blue-cupped
moming-glorica
II, Tas civilized and did not assas-
sinate English grammar like the cham
pon hunter in the dime novels. And
he had provided pretty little boudoir
for her. whose pink mosquito-netting
set the black flies and gnats at def
ance, and an exquisite engraving of
the Madonna di San Sisto hung over
the broad mantle.
"0h, think | shall be quite, quite
happy here said Gladys, as she sat in
a little boat where the dropping
boughs of the hazel bushes made blots
of shadow on the glittering lake, and
read while Uncle Paul iished.
Don't regret any of the New York
cavaliers, eh?. said Uncle Paul.
And Gladys stoutly answered:
"No.'
But afterward she asked herself, had
she told the whole truth?
"lf Darrell Vaudeville chooses to
marry Miss Dorrance, let him." she
thought. l shall never pursue any
man. Let other girls do as they think
iit."
That very afternoon, however, when
she returned from long ramble in
the woods, with her straw hat full OF
blackberrcs, she found the little lodge
occupied.
81 am sorry to take you thus uncere-
moniously by Storm" said handsome,
lnidd!e-aged gentleman, who looked to
be what he was, Il Wall street broker
come out into the Wilderness for his
summer vacation. But my friend
has fallen over cliff and broken his
leg, and this was the nearest point of
shelter within range OF seven
miles. Perhaps your husband will ex-
cuso us, if"
"But it isn't my husband" said
Gladys, composcdly depositing the
berries on the table. at is my Uncle
Paul. He is fishing, up the lake. But
if he were here, he would say, as l do,
that you are very welcome. Where is
the poor man? am not much of a sur
geon, but"
She stopped abruptly There, lying
on the little chintz-covered lounge, his
pallid face supported by cushions, lay
Mr.. Darrell Vaudeville.
Miss Garland" he exclaimed. :"
am so gladp'
"Mr. Mandevilc," she uttered, in
the same breath, II am so sorry!
because have drifted here, of all
places in the world" he pleaded.
"Because you are so badly hurt.'
faltered Gladys, with the tears coming
Into her eyes.
81 knew you were somewhere in
his region" he said. "ln fact, Miss
Gladys, was looking for you. But l
didn't expect to find you just now, and
thus, ] thought"
And then he closed his eyes; dead
ly pallor crept across his face
81 think he has tainted" said the
Wall street broker.
And just then Uncle Paul came in
Uncle Paul, who was Il born chirur
geon, and who understood all the heal.
ing secrets of the glen and forest--and
Glalys hcaved a deep sigh of relief. 1t
would all he right now.
a broken leg is no joke, especially in
the back woods, where splints have to
lie manufactured out of the most in
congruous material, and arnica cannot
be had short of twelve miles.
Nir. Mandevilie made but slow con-
yalnsrencH, yet he did not appear to re-
rard the detention as UNPLEASANT. The