Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-08-19


Herbert Arundel.
"Aunt Sylvia is foolishly prejudic-
ed" she thought. "He is as true and
noble as he is handsome. and none but
the carping and envious could pick a
flaw in his character or demeanor
AS if l would go to Antonia Wyllis'
and leave him herel How graceful
he looked on the croquet ground
yesterday and how well he rides. |
wonder if 1 shall ever see Magnolia
Dell, that sunny home of his which he
describes so eloquently. l don't think
it is altogether impossible, for I think
yes, am quite sure-he loves me!
His lips have never spoken words to
that effect, but there is language of
eye and manner, and"
Minnie's mind was absorbed in these
fancies, when a knock came to the
door, and the old housekeeper put her
head into the room.
"NIiss Minnie, the sheets is ready
for the linen closetr
"The sheets!" Minnie shrugged her
shoulders a little impatiently. "Why
couldn't old Peggy have waited?
Very well, Peggy, Ill see to that,
presently"
"But they ought to be put away
now, miss" persisted the obdurate old
servant. "Ive strewed sprigs of Law
ender and dried rose leaves between
all the folds, and if you'd please to
put them on the shelves now"
Minnie rose with scarcely sup
pressed sigh. She knew Peggy too
well to hope for any peace until her
behests we're fulfilled.
The heap of snowy linen lay on the
hall table, white and fragrant through
the tolls of Peggy's skilled digits, and,
taking a pile on her arm, Minnie Dart
ford went to the linen closet. a small
room, opening out on that allotted to
the present occupation of Clarence
Lee and Mr. Herbert Arundel.
She glanced timidly in before she
entered, to make sure that neither of
her brothers guests were in the apart
ment, and then hurried through,
place the linen in its nook.
She had scarcely reached up to de-
post the pile on the high shelf above
her head, when voices and footsteps
fell on her ear, and, with palpitating
heart, Minnie felt that she was like a
Gagged bird, among the shelves, laden
with sheets and pilow-cases. Mr..
Arundel had entered his room the
spicy odor of his cigar already pro-
claimed the fact to her olfactores,
even were there no other witnesses,
and with him a stranger had been
ushcred in.
Minnie stood quite still. hoping that
their incur m was but for II moment,
and their wNhdrawal would presently
leave her lrJ. to beat retreat. The
door of the closet was partially drawn
to, and she was ut least sure of not
being discovered. The color rose tc
her cheek at the idea Of thus involun-
tarily playing the part of caveSdropper
but what else could she do?
"SiJ down, Lewis" cried Mr.. Arun.
del, drawing forward IN easy chair
"make yourself at home, Your cigar
isn't out, l'hcpc"
"No, it's all right" said the strange
voice. Il say, old fellow, speaking OF
making ones self at home, it strikes
Inc that you are practising the thing
yourself rather extensively herc!'
Arundel laughed.
81 am at home," he said complacent.
ly. "Why, bless your heart alive
Lewis. the good people here think I'm
the greatest man alive
"rhey'll find their mistake after
awhile"
"Not until I've made a sure thing
of it" answered Arundel.
"What do you mean?'
81 mean that ] am going to marry
the girl"
"What, the little heiress?" echoed
the man whom Arundel had callet
Lewis.
"Well. yes, if you choose to call hel
so. No great heiress, after all; but
dare say can find use for her TWEEN
ty-ive thousand dollars. And, tt
crown all, she's desperately in lov'
with me-"
The other laughed hoarsely-.i
sneering sound, which made the bloot
boil Indignantly in Minnie Dartfords
veins.
"You always did play the deuce
among the girls" he said 80 she''
in love with you, eh?'
"Ycs. It's quite amusing to watcl
the progress Of her inlatuation,
answered Arundel. II haven't pro
posed yet, simply because don't want
to preciptate the moment. Bless you
she jump into my arms tomorrow if
were to pop the question:"
"Shed jump out again quick
enough, if she knew you half as wei
as | do!' ieered the other.
"But she don't. you see!' sale
Arundel. "'Where ignorance is bliss
it's folly to be wise'-you know tn,
old saying. And the best of it is that
I've somehow contrived to cut ou
another lover, who has been hanging
around after her ever since she was /