Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-06-16

1t was not possible for him to leave his
business entirely, but it had been ar.
ranged that once n month he was to pay
n few days visit to the springs, and in
the intervals be refreshed and comlortcd
by regular and plentiful supplies of let
tcrs.
The supply was pretty fair the first
week, but fell off gradually aftcrward,
until several days passed without any
token of Nona's faith and memory. Still
he did not feel much troubled. lie
thought he quite understood Nona's rea.
sons, and at any rate he relied with i'm
pliCit confidence on the effect which
Philip Hays in his own proper person
could not fail to make.
This confidence did not agree with
events. He arrived at the springs and
found Mona out driving with Jack Chris
tic-a young man whom he particularly
disliked for his prctcntious manners. lie
was on the piazza when they returned,
and he was certain Mona saw him, though
she kept her eyes on Jacks face, and
pretended the greatest interest in his
foolish conversation; for of two things
Philip was ccrtan---rSt, that her inter-
est was pretended, and second, that Jacks
conversation was foolish
Then he felt unaccountably and, rs he
very well knew, unrcasonably chilled by
the greeting of the splcndidly dressed
Mona, who calmly and nonchalantly cx-
tended the tips of her glovcd fingers to
him, drawling out the while pretty lit
tie assurance of being $50 glad to see
Mr.. Hays" with the information that
"Cccilc had been expecting him since
the early morning train"
"Cccile.' he said, rcproachfully.
"And you too, Nona?'
ooh dear no, Mr. Hays. 1t is quito
too cXhausting TO expect anything. One
at n time is quite sufficient"
Philip was shocked and sicnced for
the time. For one distressing half.hour
he tried to assume his rights as her be-
trothcd, but she kept Jack Christie per-
sistently between them; and so, angry
and hurt, he sought his sister Cccilc.
"Cccile," he said, "what change
there is in Mona. What is the causc2"
"a wonderful change! Incver saw a
girl improve so rapidly. l suppose you
are the cause. Do you know that she is
really tho BELIEF Jack Christie and Ed.
Forsyth and half u dozen Others are raw
ing about her. Positively they are,
Phil
every kind of them, but"
"Well, so it is, you know. Very
first families, and all that kind of
thing, you know. Upon my
word, brother, believe Mona will make
II sensation next winter. Mamma is
quite satisfied now"
But Philip was not. No, not at all.
Very far from it. That night at the hop
Mona looked lovely and grand enough
for queen, her golden hair arranged in
some picturesque style, which Jack
Christie audably declared to be "just
the thing" yards of satin and lace max
lag track of glory behind her, and
gold ard jewels flashing from her
head, her throat, and her wrists.
All in vain, however, Philip pleaded
for dance. Mona had been engaged
for every set since breakfast, and sho
reminded him rather malciously of the
necessity of conforming to the usagcs of
society. So he had the satisfaction of
watching the social triumph of the fu-
ture Mrs. Hays.
Three miserable days of continual
disappointment and then Philip deter
mined to go back to New York, and sec
Mona no more until she returned to her
country home.
He bade his mother and Cecle good
by, and gave the regulation kiss to
Mona, who received it with perfect
placidity and many kind wishes for his
pleasant journey; for, as he was to leave
very early in the morning the ladies did
not expect to see him again before his
departure.
AS they passed out of the parlors Mona
turned moment, and flash Of the old
tenderness made her face beautiful, her
lips parted, and she hcsitated a moment
as if she would speak, but finally passed
on and away.
Poor Philip! He took his cigar ana
sat down on the dark, silent balcony,
miserable enough; but in about half an
hour timid little figure stole through
the deserted room and without warn
ing laid her hand upon his shoulder.
He turned rapidly, all the great passion,
which had grown to deeper intensity in
his suffering, bursting out in one i'm
ploring whisper of "Nonaw
'Philipw
Well, you know the end. Philip did
not like the fashionable Mona at all his
whole heart cried out for the sweet, nat
ural girl that he he'd never priced enough
till he believed her gone forever. The
tangled curls, the short dresses, even the
little rufilcd aprons never more looked
homely in his eyes.
Ever afterward he had the most whole,
some fear of Mona turning fashionable;
and she to this day, when Philip is in
the "opposition, reminds him of his one
experiment in managing women, and as
surcs him that in the long run he would
not like his own way if he got it, and so
he takes hers, which, after all, have no
doubt, is the most sensible thing he can
do.--Ha,pers Weekly.
Potatoes are Imported into New York