Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-06-15

not happy. lie walked along slowly
with his eyes upon the path immedl
ately before HIM, and with his hands
clasped together behind his back,
There were but few people in the
paths, and the drives were almost
empty, SO that his attention to his own
/ thoughts was not diverted by any oc.
casion to observe others, or by any
need to preserve himself from harm.
He walked on thus, almost without
lifting his eyes, past the sorry collec-
ton of Gagged ANIMALS which were to be
looked at later in the day by SO many
curious visitors; past the patient
donkeys, waiting the coming OF the
nurse-girls with their charges; on
through the tree-lined mall and past
the terrace, and SO came to bridge
crossing a narrow part OF the lake,
where he paused for few minutes
and noticed, wonderlngly, how clearly
the trees and the blue sky, with the
passing clouds, were reflected in the
dull and almost muddy water. The
fresh air and the surroundings had
soothed and rested him, and, though
not conscious of the reason, he felt
less weighted with sorrow, or stronger
and better able to bear his burdens,
whatever they might be. He walked
on more briskiy now, and skirtlng the
ramble, with its curlously successful
imitation of natures wildness, he
presently came to a secluded bench,
and there he seated himself aud,
familiar though he was with all the
park, looked about him rs though the
view was strange and new to him. In
/ deed, the circumstances Were move
and his mood one unusual to him.
| Almost at his feet, or separated from
him only by the width of the foot
walk, ran the bridle-path, and beyond
was the wide, smooth drive. He looked
indiflerently upon the few drives with
their equpages, and with little interest
upon.the equestrians who passed before
him. But within few minutes there
came along the bridle-path, turning
sharply corner just below where he
sat, n young woman on horseback. As
she came abreast of him and saw who
it was sitting there alone she checked
her horse so suddenly that he was
thrown well back, to his manifest dis.
pleasure, while she herself was almost
unseated. To avoid her and her horse
the groom who followed close behind
was forced to make quick, SHARP
turn, but he did SO adroitly, and then
stopping, he waited as patiently as he
could at discreet and proper distance
And DouglGs Gray, when the young
lady stopped before him in so unwise
q manner, he rose in alarm and hur
rled toward her.
"You should not have done that,
he said in reproof.
ooh, good morning, Mr.. Gray !
she responded, with an infection
which, to Gray's ears, perhaps then
little more sensitive and quick to heal
offense than usual, had sound o
sarcasm.
"Good morning, Miss Leith," h
returned, though simply, and thel
repeated, "You should not have dom
that. 1t was not safe. Really, Ethel,
you are too reckless.
"Thank you. You are very kind,
she answered, and then, with a quicl
change of manner, she added, impa
tiently, ut was cruel in you to follow
me here"
"Cruel?" he repeated in astonish
ment.
eyes, cruel. l did not think you
would. I thought"
''But to follow" he said, interrupt
ing her. You are hardly fair You
are on horseback; | Oh foot. And wa
here first, you know. Surely did no
follow"
Miss Leith looked at him quietl,
for a few minutes, making no responS
in words. a smile just showing upo,
her lips as though she was amuse
but did not wish to show it, but til
smile grew and then she laughed III
restrainedly, and SO musically tina
the singing birds might have bee
silenced in listening envy.
"Well?" Gray said, inquirlngly
He was puzzled and little hurt, toe
but had he been more acute he woul
have perceived that her laughter VIZ
not in derison of him, and that it Wa
not altogether joyous. The humor
the situation she felt; but the situt
ton itself hurt, too.
"Well?' he repeated.
at is so absurd" she answered, {
she regained her self-control.
"Indeed, Miss Leith," he returned
with great assertion of dignity
his manner, "You will pardon me il
say that cannot see what can be :
absurd"
"Well?" lie said again, as 81
paused. 81 hope you will explain.
81 have been SO unhappy SO long
ever since last night - because b
cause-I SO feared you might hay
been hurt-because | did not kno
what might have been the effect upo
you Of my-my-"
"Refusal of me- Gray said, as 81
hesitated at was refusal, You kno
"A very decided refusal and / I
not see why -"
"But you ought to see why" 81
interrupted.
81 was about to say, only, that
did not see why you should be afra
of the word"
"Oh!"
ga refusal it was," he repeate
and as to your reasons, of course
would not ask. Who would, and f
that matter, why should ] care
know?' he asked, bitterly.
"Why, indeed?" she returned
bitterly, and then continued abrur
ly: 81 am not heartless. want y,
to know really do-nll the mig
long / worried and worried because
feared you had been so wounded.
was very unhappy, and yet-and yet
she laughed again before she we
on-"here you are enjoying all til
as If nothing had happened. 1t W
absurd of me, was it not?"
would it have gratitied you haC
had | killed myself, say"