Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-01

liS y '''' 'NN
ira ten pounds on the rent if he's to
lake it."
"He is not 80 very old, Aunt Will
nelmina," said Beryl, hurriedly flinglng
Off her kitchen apron and fastening up
the stairs.
Aunt Wilhelmina uttered resound-
ing sniff.
"He's no chicken" said she.
Beryl smiled to herself. She had
not been unobservant Of all the wiles
that her aunt had put forth to capti-
vate this same Mr.. Wedderburn. She
had not forgotten that Wilhelmina had
not spoken to her for week, the last
time Mr.. Wedderburn had walked
home from church with her (BeryD
instead of with her aunt.
In her secret heart she liked and re-
spected the stalwart middle-aged man,
who had always mingled 80 chivalrous
a courtesy in his manner toward her,
poor dependent though she was upon
Aunt Wilhelminas grudgingly extend
ed charity.
Mr.. Wedderburn came in, kindly
shaking hands with Beryl as he did so.
T see your house is to let," said he.
"Yes," answered Beryl,
While from the head of the stairs
Aunt Wilhelmina disposed herself to
listen.
"I'm glad that girl didn't shut the
front door," said she.
81 am intending to change my local
habitation,' observed Mr.. Wedden-
burn.
"Are you?" said Beryl. perhaps
you would like this house?'
mo" said Mr.. Weddenburn, 81 don't
think | care about the house."
"Rude old monster!' muttered Aunt
Wilhelmina.
"My aunt is going to Leicester" said
Beryl.
"Is she, indeed?" uttered Mr.. We'd
denburn. &c. am thinking of going to
the country, too.'
81 wish I'd gone to the door myself y
said Wilhelmina to herself. 81 know
I could have coaxed him to come to
Leicester"
"The fact is" added Mr.. Wedder-
burn, 81 am tired Of London, Miss
Beryl. have made up my mind to
live among the daises and buttercups."
"Gracious me" mused Miss Wilhel-
nina, "l'll put on my best front dl-
rectly, and come down. believe the
man has been madly in love with me
all along, and now he has decided to
unite our destinies"
And away she scuflled in her old
carpet slippers to beautify herself
as expeditiously as possible.
"And-you will excuse the interest
of an old friend, Miss Beryl," kindly
added MIR. Wedderburn, "but what is
to be your fate?"
81 don't know" said Beryl, sadly. 81
should like to 60 to Leicester too, but
Aunt Wilhelmina thinks 1 had better
stay here and be shop-girl."
"What do you think about it?'' said
Mr.. Wedderburn.
Beryl's dark-fringed eyelids dropped.
al have no choice" said she.
He gazed kindly at her; her heart
began to throb pulse or so faster
thau its usual wont.
What pleasant blue-grey eyes he
had! What frank, smiling mouth.
"Do you like the country?" said he.
81 don't know" faltered Beryl. Il
have seen so little of it. But whenever
think of Heaven it seems to me it
must be beautiful green meadows,
with violets opening in the grass"
He leaned forward and took her
hand.
"Beryl," he said, gently, "your
words encourage me still more in the
mission upon which I came. have
bought an old manor-house in Kent,
with farm and plenty of green trees.
Will you 60 thither with me, Beryl;
and be the Eve to my little Paradise? =?
Will you marry man who, although
he is close to forty, is still young at
heart, and who will try his best to
make you happy?"
And without a shade Of coquetry,
or particle of hesitation, Beryl joy
fully answered:
"Yesr'
"My own sweet girl!' he exclaimed,
drawing her close to him. "You are
quite sure that you can learn to love
me?"
"I-I don't know" murmured Ber-
vi "But think-nay, am certain
that love you now!'
At that very moment the door
opened with long, creaking groan,
and in tripped Aunt Wilhelmiua, with
her newest front of 'curls and her Sun
day smile She started back with an
exclamation.
"Eh!' said she, in some embarrass-
ment.
"Do not be alarmed, Miss Wilhelmi-
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