Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-04-14
ONLY A COMPANION.


'It seems to me don't look as well as
usual tonight" said Mrs. Major Dart,
burg.
She shook her jct-black curls in a ser.
pcntine cataract about her face as she
spoke, and critically surveyed herself in
the glass.
Mrs. Major Dartburg had been young.
er, and she had been pretticr, but she
was surprisingly well gottcn-up for all
that. BY gaslight you could scarcely
have told that she was a day over thirty
years of age. And, as sheinvaribly took
the prccaution to be accompanied into
"socicty" by her companion, Miss Orms-
by, whose special duty it was to observe
and correct all mistakes of costume, COM
plexion and curls before other eyes could
possibly take note of them, Mrs. Dart
DurS 1clt loicraDly sale.
Mrs. Darthurg was widow in search
of a rich husband. The deceased major
had been inconsidcrate enough to die
and leave her without an income which
was decidedly incompatible with hel
wants-and the only thing left for hel
was to marry some one who could supply
the awkward deficiency.
So Kate Ormsby was taken every year
to some gay watering place Or brilliantly
thronged springs.
Kate was very unlike her patroness, as
she sat there pale and quiet in her blue
dress. Her face WAS oval, with limpid,
hazel eyes; features pure and straight
and masses of raven black hair coilcd in
heavy braids at the back of her head.
"insipid looking" Mrs Major Dartburg
declared. Kate cared very little for the
verdict, as long as her salary" as Mrs.
Dartburg preferred to phrase IT. suiliccd
for the support of her two little orphan
brothers.
No." said Mrs. Dartburg, Qucrulous-
", 81 don't look as we'll as usual, and if
Mr.. TruXton is to be there, | want to
look better. Mr. Truxton has estates in
the West Indies, owns yacht and drives
four-in-hand. tell you what, Kate,
you must put on little more rouge on
the left cheek. And, Kate-if YOU
would only leave off wearing those dow
dy black dresscs really am beginning
to be ashamed of you when we 60 into
the ballroom. DO get something new
and stylisl-a black iron -grenadine, Or a
China Grape"
81 have Others to provide for besides
myself" said Kate, quietly. II cannot
afford the new decorations of which you
speak, Mrs. Dartburg."
Du1 III iol dNulc tlldl am CulitIl
upon to support all the beggars and Or
phans in creation.' said the widow,
sharply. 'IIerc-put this spray of pur-
pie pansies in your hair-they are quite
mourning enough, I'm sure"
Mrs. Dartburg's scarlct-lipped smile
was unwontedly sweet that night, as she
courtesicd low 10 Mr.. Truxton, the rich
widower.
"IIe's handsome" thought the hus-
band huntress. "Dear me, he can't be
over forty, and as straight as an arrowm
And she chattcd away in her most fas-
cinating manner as she walked through
the rooms, leaning on Mr.. Truxton's arm
"a very agreeable woman" thought
the millionaire, Though not as young as
she has been! Knows everybody, and
seems exceedingly amiable. If should
marry again-and, really, little Tom
needs woman's care when he is at home
for the holidays-it certainly is worth
thinking about!n
These were the disjointed meditatons
that passed through Mr.. Truxtons mind
as he politely listened to the widows
chit-chat, and asked questions about the
various occupants of the crowded room.
"Who is that tall girl by the Window
he asked, with the. black eyes and the
pretty hairl"
GLOW strange that you should notice
her Why, she is my companion, Kate
Ormsby, sort of poor relation, whom I
keep with me out of pure charity"
"Very kind of you, l am sure" said
Mr.. Truxton, and he thought again that
with such an amiable parsonage as this
his motherless little boy would hardly
fail to be happy.
''It's trial at times" went on Mrs.
Dartburg, who was determined to neu-
tralize the admiration which bcamcd in
Mr.. Truxton's eyes, as he glanced back
over his shoulder toward Katc's queenly
form, 'for her temper is exceedingly un-
certain"
Mr.. Truxton felt himself more and
more attracted toward this angelic trca.
turc, and he TOOK the first opportunity to
ask: "Whether she was fond of children2"
81 adore them, said the widow, clasp,
ing her hands.
81 am glad of that, F" said Mr. Truxton.
Il have "A little boy of my ownw
How transparent is man Is it any
wonder that Mrs. Dartburg felt, as she