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

weels?"
He smiled.
"You are very kind" he said. "rhe
firm will allow me to be gone as long
as | like"
"And your salary will 60 on just the
same?"
"And my salary will continue just
the same"
"That is what l call real generosity"
said Barbara. ooh, | should like to
thank Messrs. Browne, Brownson u
Browne, Well come In. Our little
cottage is full Of boarders, but my
mother and will contrive to make
room for you somewhere"
And the pale boarder slept that night
in little rose-scented room, with a
strip of bright rag carpet on the floor,
hand-painted china vases on the wood
en- mantle, and cheap muslin curtains
at the window, after supper Of black
caps and milk, delicious homemade
bread, fresh honey and johnny-cake.
1.-TWO dollars week for such fare as
this, to say nothing of my cunning
little corner rOOmw said Mr.. Browne
to himself. 81 never boarded so cheap
ly before in all my life"
At the end of Il week he was more
than delighted with his summer home.
Mrs. Troop was the kindest and most
motherly Of hostesses; Barbara was
theimpersonation ofsweet and gracious
refinement. The mountain was full Of
purple glens, merry-voiced cascades,
winding footpaths and breezy heights.
Mr. Browne enjoyed himself intensely.
He believed that he had come to The
right place.
Don't you think" said Barbara to
her mother, that he's very strong for
consumptiye?"
ITS that herb-tea, and the diet of
honey and new milk that is building
him up" said Mrs. Troop, triumphant
". 81 never knew it fail yet in lung
diseases. But he's very pleasant
Barby, isn't he?"
"Neryl" said Barbara, earnestly,
Mr.. Browne had not been month
at the little cottage on the mountain,
when, overtaken by Il sudden shower,
he took refuge in an old, unused barn
not far away from the house, where a
thicket Of blossoming elderberrles con-
cealed the rude stone basement, and a
veteran yellow pine tree flung its BAN
ner of black-green shade over the
messy shingles of the roof. Unused,
except to stow sweet hay inland in
one corner little chamber had been
finished off, long ago, with a brick
chimney and tiny.paned lattice. The
door was half open, and Mr.. Browns
could discern a little cot-bed, draped
with white; a dimity-covered toilet.
stand, whose coarse, cheap bowl and
pitcher were enriched with purple and
crimson autumn leaves in hand-paint.
ing, and a little needlework rug which
lay at the foot of the bed.
"Ah," said Mr.. Browne, to that best
of confidants, himself, II comprehend
it all now have displaced Mademoi-
selle Barbara from the little corner
room in the cottage. Upon my word
feel like a usurper. But how goo(
they are, this mother and daughter
whose only income is derived from
this precarious occupation of taking
summer boarders How unselfsh, how
utterly self-sacrifcing! There ART
good Samaritans yet left in the world
thank heaven"
When September came, with its vel
low leaves and its clusters Of vivi(
blue asters on the edges OF the woods
Mr. Browne prepared to return to th'
city.
"You are sure you are strong enough
to resume work." said Mrs. Troop
anXiously.
Mother" said Barbara, "he isn't q
all like an invalid. Either old Mr.
! Fanshawe was mistaken, or else Mr.
Browne has made an almost miracu
lous recovery"
Just at this instant Jane came tt
tell Mrs. Troop that neighbor Jackson
was at the door wa ting to borrow
drawing of tea.
The gentle widow hustled out; Mr.
Browne turned to Barbara.
YES" said he, 81 am going to returl
to New YORK. But | shall leav
something behind me-
1--WE shall be very happy to tax
charge Of anything for you," said Ban
bara, who was sorting over red-cheeke
pears for preserving.
"Shall you? But you don't know
what 1t is, Barbara" suddenly lapsin
into extreme gravity, "it is my heart
am driven to confess that have los
it-and to you
"You are Joking" cried Barbar;
coloring and half-disposed to be indig
nant.
III never was more serious in m
life," asseverated Mr.. Browne. 81 d
love you, dear little Barbara, truly an
tenderly. Do you think you coul
dare to trust your future to me? Poo
as l seem, | could yet give you goo
home"
"Oh, ! am not afraid of that" sal