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

took off her curls and teeth, at half past
twelve, that she had done good even
ing's work
1t happened that the next day Mr..
Truxton took it into his head to 60 to
st. Sebastian's Hall, select boarding
house "for boys under twelve" to see
his little son.
"Havc you been to Saratoga, par"
loudly demanded Tommy Truxton.
"Jack and Billy Ormsby have got sister
at Saratoga"
And Jack and Billy, two apple-cheek
ed urchins of nine and ten, chimcd art
lessly in:
"Did you see our Kate, sirl"
"Who is your Kate9" asked Mr. Trux-
ton, amused at their boy-ways.
"She's Miss Ormsby," said Bill, Sand
she's companion to Old Cat Dartburg."
'To-whom, did you say?' asked the
widowcr, somewhat puzzled.
'He means Mrs. Major Dartburg," ex-
planned Jack; "but he calls her Old Cat,
because she's so cross to Kate. Kate
wouldn't stay there, only she needs the
money to keep us at school. But when
Inc and Bill get big enough to work, we
won't let the Old Cat torment her any
more"
"She boxes Kate's ears sometimes"
said Bill, rescntfully, "and once she pull
cd her hair. Kate cried awfully. We
went there last holiday to spend day
with Kate, and the Old Cat banged us
round awful--she said she hated boys!"
"That was cause Bill found her false
teeth in glass of water" said Jack,
"and I painted myself up out of her
dressing box, with rouge and lily-white,
to look like an Indian on the war-path
And she took her curls off when she lay
down for nap, and we played they was
a scalp! And Bill asked her why her
hair didn't grow on her head like Katc's
didw
Mr.. Truxton burst out laughing.
"You must have rendered yourself
generally obnoxious!" he exclaimed.
He went back TO Saratoga on the even
ing train-and the first person he saw, as
he asccndcd the steps of the Clarendon
Hotel, was Mrs. Major Dartburg, in
fresh toilette of white muslin and blue
ribbons. While Kate Ormsby sat Just
behind her. with BOOK in her hand, on
which her dark melancholy eyes were
fixed.
"Shc is beautiful" thought the mill
ionairc, but it was not the widow that he
was looking at.
The days sped blythe widow believed
that every one was installing her more
firmly in Mr.. Truxton's heart. While
Kate--but Kate had such quiet way
that nobody could really have told how
she was passing her time.
One evening Mrs. Major Dartburg came
up to her room, rather "put out" because
Mr.. Trnxton had just driven his magnif-
cent four-n-hand away from the door
without asking her to occupy the vacant
scat beside him.
"Kate" she said, sharply. "Katc
Ormsby, what are you doing2 Foring
over book of poetry, again, as live;
and that lace shawl not draped over the
white silk dress for the EVENING"
81 think there is still time cnough.n
said Kate, quietly.
Don't contradict me !" said the widow
in passion, cor I'll discharge you on
the spot. I've borne with your temper
quite long enough"
SIN that case" said Kate, calmly, 1--WE
shall both be suited, for was Just about
to notify you of my intention to leave
your service"
"And starve in the guttcrsl" cried
Mrs. Major Dartburg, spitefully.
81 think not" said Kate, with half
smile lowering about her lips.
"What are you going to do, thcn9"
81 believe | shall be married soon,"
said Kate, flushing scarlet in the friendly
twilight.
"My goodness gracious!" said Mrs
Dartburg. "And what poor fool would
be crazy enough to marry youl'
"Mr. Truxton!" Kate answered, goad-
ed to frankness by the widows insulting
tone. "We have been engaged for
week."
Mrs. Major Dartburg sank feebly down
in an armchair; as she afterward express
ed it, call the strength went out of her
at the thought Of that girls malicious
maneuvering."
BUTT was all true, neverthcess-and
Kate Ormsby looked radiantly beautiful
a month aftcrward, in orange blossoms
and white muslin, as she stood at the
altar by Mr. Truxton's side!
And if anyone wants to know "what
became of them ALL" we can only say
that Kate and her husband are scarcely
less happy at Truxton Place than are Bill,
Jack and little tow-hcaded Tommy-and
Mrs. Major Dartburg is still haunting the
ccntcrs of fashion, with complexion as
brilliant and manners as juvenile as ever!
tonnnpnfnr Enu,lo,y