Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-08-25

aside the white muslin scarf she had
worn, while she sadly dropped the little
pearl brooch once more into her
pocket. "What shall do2" asked
she.
Well, you and I will choose" said
Mrs Parker. "Thcrc is the best parlCr
to scrub and dust and the front windows
to clean, and there's apple pies and
sponge cake to make in the kitchen. /
baked the biscuit before breakfast this
morning. Now, which would you pre-
fer?'
ooh, I'd rather be cook" said Patti.
81 can make pies with any woman, and
l know a famous new recipe for sponge
cake, and only eight eggs to the pan! !!
Just lend me white apron, will you9'
"You're the dearest little girl in all the
world" said Mrs. Parker, kissing her.
"And the very next time that you have
n raft of unexpected company, Pll come
over to your house and lend hand, see
if I don'tm
And Patty, rolling out crisp crust, muscd
on the future. She did not belong to
the race of prudcs who affect a horror of
matrimony. In her mind, happy mar
ricd life was the crown of all earthly
bliss. Old Aunt Judith was kind to
her, after her own grabbed fashion; but
Patty felt that her whole existence was
becoming dwarfed and blghted.
1t was quite true what Mrs. Markoe
had said-Patty was belle. She had
plenty of gallants at every gathering.
She was never allowed to occupy the
position of walI-howcr when others
danced. She had plenty of company
home from singing-schools, spelling
matches and evening church. But no
one had ever asked her to change her
single state. And in anguish of spirit,
Patty repeated to herself the words Of
Mrs. Markoc's song, "Why don't the men
proposes"
II can't go out and ask thcm," said
Patty to herself, as she ran the notching-
iron dcftly around the edge of the
pic that was first ready for the
oven. II wonder if that's what they
cxpect2'
But she frightened up n little when a
stream of gay young people came up the
hill, from fcrn-hunting expedition
in the woods, and paused at the open
kitchen door.
ave stopped for you, Patty" cried
they, "but your Aunt Judith said you
were gone out"
"Yes, said Patty, as she brought them
a gourd shell of fresh, cool water to
drink. "Tm Mrs. Parkcr's cook now"
She uttered the words laughingly, and
gave them never a second thought; but
they were destined to bear fruit in the
near future, as is the case with many a
word that is spoken one moment and
forgotten the next.
"Wcl," it's q shame!" said Lucy
Whitman; 'such pretty girl as Patty
Wallace is"
'That old aunt OF hers must be a reg
ular crab," said Phiny Duane, ito
turn her out into the world in that sort
of way"
The sponge cakes proved success, the
apple pies perfect triumph, and Patty
Wallace was sitting on the little
front porch at home, tired, yet exul-
tant, when there came footstep up the
hill.
ooh, Mr.. Jcifrcys!" cried Patty, rec
ogniziag him in the starlight.
"rvc Just come from Mrs. Parker's,"
said the young man, 81 expected to find
you there"
"Did you3" said Patty, rather sur
priscd.
"Patty, II don't know how to begin,
but should be proud it you would con-
sent to marry mc,' blundered on the
honest young fellow.
ooh, couldn't" said Patty, thankful
that the soft, purp,c dusk hid
the bushes on her cheek. "Oh, thank
you very much; but | never could do
it,"
care you quite sure, Patty"
eyes, quite; but thank you all the
samcw
Patty trcmbcd all over, and her heart
beat as Mr.. Jcffreys slowly retraced his
steps down the wooded sope. Her first
offer of marriage, and yet she felt actu-
ally IS if she had committed a crime.
"But ono can't marry the first man
that asks one" she reasoned within her
self.
"Pattyw
She Stated. Here was Guy Ethcregc
standing close to her.
Had he dropped from the clouds'
Dear mel" she exclaimed, involun-
tarily.
"What's this about Mrs. Parkcr1" he
demanded.
"About Mrs Parker1' repeated Patty.
ooh, | was there, helping her to-day!
Whyl'
81 won't have it, Patty" said Ether
egc imperiously. 'If you're going to
help anybody, you must help me! You
must marry me, Patty"
Patty opened her lovely, wine-brown
eyes very wide.
"NIust II" said she, with rather
startled air. ''Dut /"
"a letter for Miss Wallace, please"
said Ned, the little coored boy who ran
crrands for the village hotel. "Please,
Missy Is to wait for an answer"
81 must see what this isl" said Patty,
with appealing glances towards Ether
egc. -..,.
every WE'LL" said he. 'rll wait here