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

bring him to her feet.
When at last the party concluded to
turn their steps homcward, Harold seized
his own particular charge from a crowd
of hooded and muflcd figures and speed
lily had her in the sleigh, completely en-
veloped in the robes
'Now, sis, remember you are not to
move or hardly speak on the way home,
else you will be laid up with an awful
cold and have red nose and then you
can not see your dear Fred when he ar
rivcs tomorrow. After dancing so much
and eating a warm supper you must be
doubly careful, and if | hear sncezc,
home you go for the rest of the winter,
my child" which cheerful remarks he
emphasized by a gentle shaking.
'You need not be absolutely dumb.
Just nod your head to signify your ap-
! proval of my remarks. Did you have a
good time"
A pcrceptible moving back and forth
was his answer.
eyes, every one had splendid time,
myself in particular, | entertained my
self watching Douglass play the clown for
Miss Leslic's amusement. He did it to
perfection. By George, should have
thought so many sweet smiles would have
made her sick. Shows how much a
woman can stand when she makes up her
mind to it, and l suppose her mind is
made up, don't you''
A decided negative is indicated by his
companions movements.
"Iumph! l firmly believe she intends
to marry Softhcad (his own name for
young Douglass sooner or later probably
sooner Why don't you think she does,
sis2 You can unlooscn that shawl or
scarf, or whatever it is, enough to let me
hear the sound of your voice. I'm getting
lonesome. What did you sayW
II don't think Blanche likes Mr..
Douglass very WE'LL" was the barely audi
bic reply.
"The deuce you don't! o, well! but
you are mistaken, | know. Don't she
show him all sorts of favors, dancing
with him repeatedly, even giving him
the dance she used to always give to me
and that should have enjoyed so much
tonight"
"Did you ask her for itl" murmured
the figure at his side.
"ASk her for it2 Not l. Though, to
tell the truth, Nellie, l was awfully
tempted to. If she had vouchsafed me
one friendly glance l would undoubtedly
have made fool of myself"
Some violent emotion seemed to be
agitating his companion, and her strug-
giles attracted the attention of Mr.. Grey
stone; he shook her vehemently.
"Now, Nellie, positively forbid you
taking off a single shawl" and he at
tempted to readjust her wraps, but the
lady resisted his well-intended efforts
and in trcc had torn the veil from her
face and displayed to his astonished gaze
the laughing countenancc of Blanche
Leslie.
"Pray, go on with your remarks, Mr.
Grcystonc. Your style, though little
peculiar, is nevertheless highly entertain
ing. | don't know when have enjoyed
a ride so much. Aren't you afraid we
shall upset if we don't keep to the roadY'
for the horse was following its own sweet
will and mcandcring along the roadside
in an aimlcss fashion, while his driver
stared at his companion in utter amaze
mcnt.
"What- at--an-utter-i have been, y
his power Of speech coming back to him
by jerks. "Whcrc is Nellie, and how on
earth did you get here, Blanche"
80, Nellie wanted to ride home with
the load-I think she was tired of your
company, sir---and | hadn't the heart tc
refuse her when she wanted Inc to take
her place"
"And you have been listening to all
my idiotic talk What must you think OF
me Can you ever forgive me fOrthc way
| have talked, and" laying his hand on
her am "tcll int, Blanche, that you
loathc and despise that fellow Douglass. y
"But do not oathc and dcspise Mr..
Douglass. On the contrary, | consider
him ono of the plcasantcst young men
know But what do you want to talk o.
Mr.. Douglass for2 Are you so infatuated
with him that you cannot talk of anything
esc"
II infatuated with him heartily de
test the man. | wanted to knock hin
down every time he looked at you to
night Blanche, darling" slipping hi
arm adroitly around her waist, 'tell me
do you care even little for mc2 Are yol
perfectly indifferent to me, when I have
worshipcd you all my lifc2"
1T would serve you right if hated
you, and don't sec why | don't, afte
the way you have treated me-never tt
come near me or speak to me at all,
with most rcproachuI glance.
"But you don't hate me, do yo'
Blanche?'
"No-I don't" she confessed.
Mr. Greystone's horse Jagged in mos
unaccountable fashion the last half of tn
way home, but everything must have beel
very harmonious for the first time Mr.
Greystone met Mr.. Douglass, he hailet
him with such hearty good humor as t.
fill that gentleman with wonder, and h
marvclcd greatly what had come over tina
gruif fellow, Greystonc ''By Jove, h
never used to hardly speak to a fellow.
Lizzie Van Derr0H.
3 A Japanese gentleman, il is said, ncve