Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-04-30

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who had told him of the lover "lost
sea-" and he sighed over his work.
Harry Raymond had not gone ia
before he was accosted by the ring
ing voice Of an old friend.
"Hello, Raymond, old fellow! Where
n the name Of all that's wonderful
have you sprung from? Why, dear
boy, every one believes you long since
at the bottom of the sea, or blowI
away by all sorts of simooms, or ty-
phoons, or whatever you call 'eml'
"Blown away as much as you like,
old boy" laughed Raymond, wringing
his companions hanl heartily
"but not under water yet, as you see.
But, come-give me some land news,
won't yol? This is my first day in
the city, md L haven't seen anyone
yet. How is -everybody?"
"Well, much as usual, guess. But
come over to my rooms, and maybe !
can be more definite"
The young man slipped his arm
through Raymond's, and they saunt-
cred on together.
"Oh, by the way" said Jack Gordon,
suddenly bursting in on one of his own
speeches, "you have just turned up in
time to be too late for the marriage OF
an old sweetheart of yours-Fannie
Gerard, Married an old chap with
heaps of money, too.
"What-what did you say?" asked
DR.. Raymond, clutching the arm that
lay on his, and stopping short in the
street
81 said that your old flame, Fannie
Gerard, was married yesterday to
old Mr.. Roberts, the millionaire. Why.
what's the matter? What are you
staring at? You look as if you had
seen ghost"
Doctor Raymond drew his hand
across his face once or twice before
he replied.
81 beg your pardon" he said. 81
have just remembered an important
engagement IL will have to leave
you nCw."
"Oh, I'm sorry, But never mind.
Drop in in the evening and have a
chat Good-by, for the present! De-
lighted to have met you.'
And Jack disappeared around a
corner, savagely condemning his "long
tongue" and thinking all kinds of hard
things Of the girl who could so soon
forget fellow like Raymond.
Harry Raymond walked on with
head bent and downcnst eyes. All tho
animation and brightness were gone
from his facial interest in his sur
roundings banished by few careless
words.
Married" he repeated" married
to another and my heart true to her
through all. Oh, tickle, faithless heart
of Il woman.
And, with aharsh, bitter laugh, he
drew his hat over his brow and strobe
on, he knew not whittier, until night
found him in his own rooms, worn out
by fatigue and misery
And so passed the first night of
Harry Raymond's return home.
When Fannie Gerard entered the
jewelers. store next morning, she was
somewhat embarrassed to find young
gentleman talking to Mr., Blaibie, and
withdrew shyly to the furthest end
of the counter.
The old gentleman, recognizing her
at once, bowed pleasantly, and in a
few moments came to wait on her.
81 will buy your ring for $780," he
said. "Will you part with it for
that?"
Fannies face showed her disap-
pointment.
81 thought it was worth nioie than
that-intrinsically," she SAID. 1.-TWO
hundred, at least"
The Scotchman shook his head and
pressed his lips together, for although
he was interested in the "puir lassie,"
lie did not forget that "beczness is
beezness."
She looked at the ring with longing
eyes, half tempted not to make the
sacrifice at all, when she was startled
by voice beside her:
81 will buy the ring for $500, since
the lady is SO anxious to obtain good
price for it,
Well did Fannie Gerard know that
voice, though never before had she
heard it ring with contomptuous scorn
as it now fell upon her ear.
With strong inclination toscream,
which she suppressed to a gasp, she
turned and invOluntarily held out
both hands, while look of mingled
amazement, delight and love shone in
her face. Then, meeting nothing but
a strange smile Of scornful bitterness
upon the features that had become
TO her those of a saint, and where,
hitherto, she had seen naught but
glowing tenderness, she drew back as
though stung,
One piteous look she gave toward
the old man, who stood watching his
strange patrons with absorbed inter-
est, then she shuddered, reeled, and
would have fallen to the floor, had not
Mr.. Blaikie caught her in his arms.
lie bore her into an adjoining par
lor, and calling his daughter, left the
fainting girl in her care and returned