Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-07-29

sally was not Vulte clear rs 10 now
this latter was to be accomplished
but she went TO sleep with renewed
hope.
81 suppose we shall be flooded with
calls, shan't weP' said Kitty, as they
sat in tho parlor the next evening, talk
ing over last nights festivity, with &C.
casional yawns.
81 suppose so, dear" responded Sal
ly, gazing ut her in fond admiration.
Kitty was ut her loveliest. Her red
lips wore Il smile OF pleased expectan-
cy, and her dark eyes were bright with
anticipation.
"By the way" she said, pcerins in
to an opposite mirror and patting her
hair; "Mr, Beadlc said something
about coming tonight. Dear me! how
do look?"
Sally groaned inwardy.
II presume Mr.. Bcadle will not no.
tco much" she said, severely. "Hc
is past those things, | should think.
He must DO forty at least. "
about that" said Kitty, sweetly.
The bell rang at that moment, and
the subject of their conversation was
ushered in, followed by tall form,
with Il fair head, none other than How
ard himself.
Mr.. Beadle pounced upon the chair
nearest Kitty; Howard sank gracefully
upon the sofa at Sally's side.
81 hope yourduties of last night have
not quite worn you out, " he said, look
ing down at her tendcrly.
"Oh, dear me, not at ALL" responded
Sally, rather sharply.
This was all wrong; but what was
she to do?
at was n charming affair."" Howard
continued, moving little nearer to her.
"Thank you" said Sally, abstract
eddy.
She WAS watching the pair opposite,
with rising unoasiness.
Mr.. Beadlc was leaning forward at q
dangerous angle, talking with horrible
yolubility, with his eyes fixed on Kit
tvs face
Sally felt wild desire to sec his
chair roll backward and land him on
the floor
Howard looked little hurt by her
brcvity; but Sally was oblivious.
Don't you think her lovely?" she
said.
Kitty was vcnturing remark at the
moment with coquettish little laugh
Sally could gladly have shaken her.
Very" said Howard, rather vague
", and without looking around.
HE is jealous" said Sally to her.
self. Poor fellow"
"Shc is always pleasant, like that
TO everybody" she said, aloud, with
sympathy and reinsurance in her tone.
"Shc doesn't mean anything by it.
"lndced?' said Howard.
But he did not seem quite to under
stand the force of the remark.
Mr.. Beadle was begging Kitty to
sing; and now was Sally's chance.
do dearn' she urged; "our new
waltz song. Do you know it?" she
went on, turning to Howard. "Mr.
Bennett will turn your leaves, Kitty"
Howard followed Kitty to the piano
obedicntly, and Mr.. Beadlc joined Sal
" on the sofa
"How extremely wcll.suted they
arc." Sally observed. They seem
made for each other Don't you think
SOP"
"Really, had not noticed it," re-
Joined Mr.. Beadle, stroking his mus
tachc with sudden gravity.
"Stubbly!-good gracious, yes!" said
Sally to herself, wrathfully.
II should hardly think So" he add
ed, with some aspcrity.
"No!" said Sally, frigidly.
And they rclapsed into silence.
That was the first Of Il long series of
similar occasions.
Howard and MIR. Beadlc called in
cessantly, and Sally's anxicties in
creased accordingly.
Things were very discouraging for
the most part. MIR. Beadle was plain
ly enamored OF Kitty's manifold
charms. and was determinedly devot-
ed. Kitty was gay, and careless, and
bcwitching, and Howard was as Ian
guild as ever. and rather more pen
sive.
Sally was convinced that this was
due to unhappiness. He was grieved
and angcred by kitty's Indifference; he
was y prey to hopeless warnings and
Jealous passion.
The only drawback to the theory was
that Howard seemed sometimes ridicu-
lousy and uncyplainably attentive to
herself
But that was pride, of course-pique.
Sally lived in momentary expectation
of having y tale OF wounded love and
blightcd hopes poured into her SYM
pathetic ears.
The days and weeks rolled by; Kit
tvs visit WAS drawing to close an,
everybody was looking forward cagerl.
to Mrs. Smythc'S masquerade.
Sally herself forgot her schemes ant
anxicties in the ilutter of preparation.
Kitty was 70 go as 4 gypsy, in ;
bright silk bodice, Il gaily bespauglc,
petticoat, and highly-colored ant
highly becoming turban-things which
no gypsy has ever been known to wear
Sally was to appear modestly as 4 peas
ant of doubtful nationality, with
tucked waist and abbreviated skirt
and her hair in two braids down he
back.
Sally's hopes had somehow risel
rather high. This was almost the en'
Of Kitty's visit. almost the last tim
that she and Howard would be to
gether, and something must happen.
The fact Of their approaching sepa
ration would come home to them both
would bring them nearer together
would strike down all obstacles hither
to existing, and bring matters to
happy end.
Mr.. Beadle was. of course, the chic
obstacle. Mr.. Beadle had shown
profound interest in the OCCASION
positive enthusiasm, which Sally con
sidered revolving.
"a man of his age" she had said t.
Kitty, Indignantly. at is absurd! II
will probably come as Infancy"
"Undoubtedly!' Kitty had respond
ed, gaily. "And Mr.. Bennett as
lamp-post or lightning-rod-he is s
apusingly tall"
Mrs. Smythe's rooms were blaze Q
light and scene of whirling gaiety.
Sally gazed upon the scene, bewilder
cd, from the retirement Of sofa. Sh'
had lost sight of Kitty, and in tn
present state of confusion could not D
sure of knowing her again.
A stalwart Highlander, with Zero
cious mask, paused before her, and up