Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-04-16

the same careless, swinging gait he re,
members of old.
A few days later Elmer Richards
enters the train en- route for the TrOw's
country residence. That evening he
makes a faultless toilet and descends to
the lighted rooms.
Esther presents him to the other
guests, and soon he is engaged in live
ly conversation with Jerry's betrothed,
Bessie Townsend. Then Esther comes
and carries him off to the conservatory
AS they enter a recumbent figure rises,
and in the dim light Elmer sees the
yellow flash of Jewels.
"Are you hcre?" cries Esther. Then,
"Miss Irving Mr.. Richards
The figure takes step forward, and
a ray of light, streaming through the
half-open door, falls upon her face, the
brilliant face and lustrous black orb3
of Beatrice Irving.
She bows, and her face dimples in a
smile of recognition; she has not for
gotten that evening at the charity fair.
Elmer gives an amused smile; Re is
thinking of the little bouquet, the roses
and myrtle, and wondering what she
would say if she knew of its fa'e.
Then Esther slips away, and they are
left alone together,
Beatrice is charming conversation
alist and Elmer thinks it is infinitely
more agreeable to pass the time with
her in the dimly lit conservatory than
to chatter with this one and that in the
illuminated room beyond.
At last they rise and join the come
pany. AS they emerge into the light.
Elmer glances at his companion; she
looks wonderfully fascinating tonight.
Early one morning, a few days later,
Elmer, while strolling through the gar
den, sees Beatrice standing by rose
bush, endeavoring to dsentangle her
scarf from the tlorns upon which it is
caught.
81 am prisoner, you see" she say,
with a smile, "anl, like most prisoners,
much against my will"
"Shall | release you?' asks Elmer
and. coming forward, he deity Olsen.
cages the delicate thing.
"Thank' You should be rewarded
fer your hanlincss,' Beatrice says, and
rlucks a white rosebud with a spray OF
dark green leaves for a background.
AS she bends forward to fasten it in
his button-hole, their eyes meet, and
something in his causes the girl to
blush slightly; and, making hasty
movement, a stray thorn pierces her
finger A tiny red drop falls on one of
the petals and mars its whiteness.
There" Beatrice exclaims, in a
veXed tone. 81 have spoilt your flower.
Let Inc get you another"
"Neyer mind,' Elmer replies. at
does not show; and, besides, you may
cratch your hand again"
"No; hope | should not he so fool
ish another time says Beatrice.
Then they stroll down the shady
path together, and enjoy pleasant
chat, until the bell calls them in to
breakfast
The summer days pass quickly by,
and some OF Esther's guests take their
departure. Beatrice Irving and Elmer
Richards are among the last that linger;
it has been blssful summer for him
one he viii never forget.
One morning Beatrice announces her
intention of returning to her home on
the morrow, and that day Elmer deter
mined to know his fate. That evening
Beatrice comes down stairs, arrayed in
the amber dress that is so becoming,
and for ornament she wears her favor
ite topaz. Her oval cheeks are glowing
with warm rose hue, and her eyes
scintillate like stars. AS Elmer watches
her, he thinks he has never seen her SO
beautiful, so fascinating.
During the evening he requests her
to walk with him in the garden, and
she complies; perhaps she has an in
tuition of what is coming. a few COM
monplace remarks passed between
them; then Elmer Richard, begins his
passionate declaration of love, and
Beatrice listens with claspel hands
and downcast eyes. AS he speaks, the
whole scene passes from him, and he
sees naught but the woman at his side
Ardently he pleads, for he loves
Beatrice with all the depth and fervor
of his strong, manly nature, and if he
loses her, he loses all.
AS he ceases speaking, he ventures to
glance into her half-avcrted face. 1t
wears a fierce, triumphant expression,
a strange look that one would not ex-
pect a girl to wear when listening to a
lovers pleadings.
She turns and faces him, and in the
moonlight he eau see the yellow lights
in her eyes flame like those irradiating
from her jewels.
"Mr. Richards" she says, calmly, 'I
can never be your wife"
IIe draws back, and his face grows