Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-10-12

disappointment Oh IN UnSatlaCCu cray
ing for gaycty, forever thworted by
illness, and in his great compassion
for her suffering he accepted the claim
to martyrdom without thought OF
his own voluntary sacrifice.
When her worn out frame at length
succumbed to the complication of dis
eases which had tormented it so long,
the husbands grief was desperate. His
daughters flying visit gave him little
consolation. She had inherited from
her mother the blush rose skin and its
attendant drawback of delicacy, COM
binlng with it feather brain and an
egotistic heart entirely occupied with
her own pretty self
"Dear papa looked after mamma so
we'll He was miserable if anybody
else did anything for her" So
naturally Ethel did nothing but amuse
herself, even before she married at
eighteen the rich young banker who
spoiled her to her utmost content
Mourning was becoming to Ethel,
and she was considered to look $50
interesting, poor dear!" at the fun
eral, but she found Coombe damp,
therefore Roger took her home next
day, and they wintcrel aboard on ac'
count of her lungs.
81 wonder Karslakc did not go with
them," commented Mr.. Merfick. at
would have done him world of
good" 1t did not occur to the worthy
clergyman, i'll receipt of II comfortable
stipend, that foreign travel is eXpen-
sive, and that the Major was too proud
to accept obligations from his son-in-
law, even if the latter had made the
suggestion. Roger had displayed some
inclination TINT way, but the idea had
been promptly quenched by Ethel,
who opposed lnstinctiyely any eXpen-
diture other than on herself
cts all the better for me that he is
staying on here" continued the rec
tor; 81 should have missed him ter.
ribly. / cannot think how | existed
before he came. None of the people
about here have any interest beyond
local matters"
"rhe Major is so clever" returned
Violet, with conviction. "Ihere is
nothing he has not read or thought
about; but he is drcadfully depressed
now. am afraid he will never re-
cover the blow of Mrs, Karslake's
DEATH"
Gle is q very good fellow" said
Mr.. Merrick. "bat | have observed
that 'inconsolable widowers generally
marry again"
1t was certainly q little damp at
Woodbower that wet autumn, and
Janet, though an excellent house
keeper, was not much of companion
for an intelligent man, consequently
the Major spent more of his time at
the rectory than ever He had made
some other acquAintances inthe neigh
borhood, but the Merricks suited him
best, besides he was by nature indo.
lent, and the rectory was onIy five
minutes walk from his own low white
house buried in trees.
Violct's heart ached when, from her
window overlooking the churchyard,
she cav him often stand by the fresh
J green hound. Owing to the rainy
weather no monument could be erect,
ed till spring, and the girl laid flowers
all winter long on the grave which his
sorrow made sacred to her. He never
said any word of thanks, but she felt
he knew who tended SO carefully the
spot where his heart lay buried. The
violets she had planted there were
poisoning when the mason's men dug
tfem up to firmly fix the marble slab,
which was placed in costly commemo
ration OF "Catharine, the beloved wife
of--etc." Major Karslake wore a few
violets in his buttonhole that night
when he spent his usual musical houl
Mt the Merricks, but there were vic
lets in the Woodbower garden, ant
indeed of every garden of NOISY
Coombe.
When the monument was finished
the wilower went away for change
he had developed rheumatism in damn
Devonshire.
you'll write sometimes, Karslake?'
said the rector, heartily, in farewell
"Why, of course !"replied his friend
but he never did.
1t was dull summer; Violet coult
not remember ono with so little sun
shine, and she found the gray skie
very depressing. She instituted nota
BILE reforms in the clothing club, thu
Sunday-school and the choir, of which
institutions she was the moving spirit
and she worked so hard that the rec
tor said they must take trip to SCI
to bring back the color to her cheeks
Violet did not seem to care for tn
idea, and her father was not cner
getic; the plan fell through; bu
when the Major came back and thei
musical evenings began again, Violet
looks improved considerably. TIT
change in her was 50 obvious that III
one was surprised when the engage
ment was announced, and exactly two
wears after Mrs. Karslake's death Vic
let Merrick succeeded to that nam
and title.
Rather too great a difference il
age!" cavilled aunts and cousins, VIII
were not invited to the quiet MAJ
riage.
"Violet is old for her years." re
piled the rector to all objections.
What n blissiul year was the first
Some unions begin with discords tina
time aud custom soften into harmony
but this one opened in perfect tune
The Major fell into IN inversion of hi
former habits, for his young wife love
to wait upon him and anticipate n
his wishes. Janet was rather incline
to receive the newcomer grImly, bu
Violet's sweetness soon won the oil
servants heart. The atmosphere {
, Woodbower changed from stagnar
seclusion into cheerful life. Sprin
J had succeeded winter. It's new mis-
| tress took an Intelligent interest j
the tonics of the div. she drew fort