Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-02-17
Slightly Mixed.

A bright moonlight night and a gay
party Peals of laughter in all keys float
through the keen frosty air as sleigh-load
after slcigh-load drive away from
brightly lit mansion, until the street
seems filled with the dashing sleighing
party.
One, a small shell-like creation drawn
by single black horse, leads the party.
Its occupants are Mr.. Harold Greystone
and his sister, Miss Nellie. Mr.. Grey
stone, after wrapping his sister in the fur
robes, dcvotes himself to putting his
horse at speed that promises to leave
the remainder of the party in the distance.
For some reason, Mr.. Greystone does not
seem to share the eXuberant spirits Of the
rest of the party, On the contrary, he
seems a good deal put out, to say the
least, and his usually good-humorcd
countenancc is overcast. His heavy
black brows are drawn together, and in
spite of the sweeping mustachc one can
note the firm expression that turks around
the mouth.
Altogether he looks very grim, Miss
Nellie thinks as she turns herself and
surveys him.
She is very small herself, and being
buried to the chin in wraps, it is work
of time to turn herself sufficiently to see
his face. Noting his expression, she be-
gan cautiously:
Harold, arn't you driving the horse
too fast2 See, the Others are away be-
hind"
"Wc will arrive all the sooner for sup
per, sis, was the reply.
90, WELL but the oysters are not put
on to cook yet, SO we needn't hurry on
that score"
Harold reluctantly pulled up his horse
little, and, looking back, he growled.
"That fool, Douglass, will dawdle
enough for the whole party. It's grand
wonder he would consent to drive load
However, if my Lady Blanche wanted to
90 in a load he would not object. It's a
mystery to me how as sensible girl as
Blanche Leslie can tolerate such an idiot
in her presence. But, pshaw, there is'no
mystery about it. If a fellow has full
purse it makes no difference whether he
possesses any brains or not. G'lang,
JIM" slapping the horse savagely with
the reins.
'Harold, did you ask Blanche to go
with youl'
"No, by Jovc, I didn't. l am not
quite such a fool as that. My Lady
Blanche will find that she cannot twist
every one around her finger like Doug
lass"
81 don't think you need be so hard on
Blanche She isn't crazy after rich peo-
pie at all. We are not rich, and I'm
sure she is always goodness Itself, though
you do put on awful airs and treat her
like she was the veriest stranger. As for
Mr. Douglass, almost everyone likes him.
if he is little soft. But Blanche isn't
the least bit in love with him."
'No, not in love with him, but his
pocket book. never supposed she was
in love with him."
'Harold Grcystone, l am ashamed of
you. You know there isn't word of
truth in what you say. There, am glad
we have got there at last. ! feel chilly
in spite of wraps"
Harold lifted his charge from his
sleigh and placed her on the steps of the
hotel, where the party have planned a
dance, to be followed by an oyster sup
per. The other sleighs drove up, and
directly the hotel is alive with the merry
party The evening is heartily enjoyed
! by all, with the exception, perhaps, OF
Harold Greystone. The sight of Miss
Leslie smilingly accepting the attentions
offered by young Douglass rendered the
evening anything but pleasant to him. II
is true he had no right to complain.
Nellie was right when she said his owr
pride had erected the barrier between
them. The fact that while Miss Leslie''
parents are grown wealthier within late
years, his own had grown poorer wa
obstacle enough to Harold. He did MOI
fancy the name of fortune-hunter. Hi
told himself she had totally forgotten tht
old days when they were on an equa
footing, and, no doubt, she was ashamed
to remember her preference for himself
But he would not presume on that now
Douglass might win her, and he woud
not lay straw in his way.
All this and great deal more rar
! through his head as he gaily talked ssi