Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-02-27

4ith SNtoiiiS p'i H'Nt WV
"No," said Olive, II want you to
tell me the tluM.'
lie looked at her with pitying kind
ness. How strange it was that he had
never before noticed how bright and |
spirited was her face how softly bril-
liant her eyes.
"She is IA jewel among women he
said to himself. "And it is that am
doomed to cut her so cruelty to the
heart, | feel like the viyisector, with
the knife at the lambs white throat"
But as he turned over the drawings
mechanically, other designs fell out
the very ones that Octavia Weston had
at different times given him for birth
day and anniversary gifts--the beauti-
full drawings which Octayia had claim
ed as her own work.
"Are these all yours" he asked,
abruptly.
eyes" she answered. "Let me have
them now, Mr.. Anderton. Mrs.
Sedley needs me at six, to get the in
FAINT class ready for tea"
That evening Octayia Weston gave
her lover the Illuminated letter G that
he had seen in Miss Dents portfolio.
&c is for Gerald" she said, archly.
"See what have been doing for yon."
Professor Anderton looked sharply at
her.
This is all your work, Octavia ?"sald
he. with a curious sensation, as though
his faith in all the world was being un-
dermined.
"All nine" she answered, and pout-
ed little.
Professor Anderton observed her
rravelv. Of late he had begun to
question himself, now and then, whether
blue eyes and rose-leaf cheeks could
meet all the needs of u mans existence.
And now that those full, scarlet lips
had deliberately uttered falsehood.
the pure spirit-love died cut at once,
almost without pang.
Was it because he loved Olive Dent?
Had one affection supplanted the other?
lIc scarcely dared ask himself the
question
He was absent and silent all the even
ing. Octavia had never found him
50 little entertaining; and when at last
he went away, she drew a long sigh of
relief.
"Now," she said to herself" shall
have a chance to talk a little with
poor dear Algernon. The professor
grows proser every day. think"
And, winding her head in a ileecy
Shetland scarf, Octayia Weston stole
down into the dewy garden, where a
, handsome young man was yawning IN
5 a summer-house with only the crickets
5 and owls for company.
} Sweetest" he cried, 81 thought you
necer were coming
e "And so did To- said Octavia, laugh
} ingly releasing herself from his clasp
: a thought that tiie.ome, old professor
never aOould co.
: 1t was nearly midnight before Octa
t via Weston crcpt into the little room
t which she shared with Olive Dent
e But, quiet though she was, Olive heart
her.
o "Octavia," pleaded the elder girl, "i
j this right
c Dear old Miss Precise, leave of
4 scolding" said Octavia, playfully
o "Of course it's right"
Y "You are cold; you shiver"
). "No. ! don't" said Octavia, begin
e ming to be impatient.
}, "Docs Mrs. Scdley knowy aske,
n Olive.
s. "Nor' sharply retorted Octavia.
"Octavia, are you treating Professo
=. Anderton right urged Olive, grow
c. ing more serious still.
10 "Professor Anderton is quite capabl
If Of taking care of himself" retorted tn
'e beauty.
10 "Octavia," persisted Olive, "I believ
s. it is my duty to consult Mrs Sedley a
Ii to this new whim of yours"
III you DO" cried Octavia, "l'
rs clope tomorrow night
k, but what shall do?" pleaded poo
1T conscientious Olive
10 "Why, mind Your own hpslnesa.