Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-04-04

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1t all away and help everybody all in
his name. And yet marriage was such
sacred thing. So poor Barbara tossed
and turned and reasoned and changed
her mind, and the upshot Of it all was
that there was very solemn and quiet
marriage ceremony. and at its close
the pale, sweet.faced bride was Mrs.
West.
Mr.. Lippincott consented-he loved
this adopted son sincerely-and, in
deed, The never had refused any request
of his idol, Barbara. So the days went
on. Happiness seemed to revive Kings
waning strength for a time, and then
he grew slowly worse. Suddenly upon
the scene came most important actor,
college friend of Kings, whose
friendship was of that ardor almost
loverlike in its intensity. He had
heard lately of his friends's condition,
and had come to urge upon him an
Arabian remedy which had been given
him by an uncle whose life had been
passed in the Orient. A native, whose
life he had saved, had presented it to
him.
With no faith, but partly to please
his friend, partly because dying man
catches at any straw which will pre-
serve life, King followed the prescrip.
ton and treatment, and, to everyone's
amazement. he improved, and, after
many weeks, was restored to his old
vigor. Of course, few gave credit to
this remedy; few knew of it; but
whatever it was, the young man re.
covered.
And then to Barbara came the shock
OF finding that the restored life OF her
old friend meant bondage to her. Was
she murderess at hearth Oh, no, no
But if she had only stood firm and
never yielded to Kings entreaiies.
The very fact that she was bound to
him made her turn from him. These
conflicting feelings told upon her
health and spirits. And then, one
day, her husband came in, holding q
letter. He went straight to her, and
taking her hands in his, said:
Barbara, don't think that I have
been blind. Do you think that I
would hold you to your word now? !
am ordered to China at once. After
proper absence you can apply for and
obtain divorce" y
Barbara burst into tears as he went
on in his considerate, thoughtful plans
for her comfort, with never hint Of
his own pain.
She had horror of divorce. Let
them be separated for awhile, anyway,
she murmured to herself.
King went off on his three years
cruise, then on another to Australia.
Mr.. Lippincott finally took Barbara
abroad. 1t was then, and while far
away in Australia, that King received
a fresh stab. A comrade of his,
brother officer, was reading aloud
letter from correspondent in Naples:
"Tm acting new role at present." he
wrote, "S is wealthy scion Of an
the fellow do but fall madly in love with
young American widow! To be sure, madam
is charming, very modest, and beautiful, but
as old Norah used to say: 'Wtddies are q
desavin' lot, and Caron Louis's father has
far different designs for his son. The widows
name is Madam West, blonde type. She
seems interested in my protege, must say"
King wrote at once, after his long
silence, to Barbara, urging divorce.
He felt that he knew her 30 we'll, and
could picture her mentral distress and
scruples against her love for this ap.
parently charming young stranger.
King had aged somewhat, and his
friends declared he was much less jolly
since his long illness. He never
spoke of himself, but he knew that
all real happiness had vanished for
him-the romanse OF his life was
over, aud he was often tempted to
curse his return to health. But he
devoted himself to his loved pro.
fession and had risen in it. His love
for Barbara was chivalric and constant
as any knights Of old +; but, above all,
he longed for her to be happy, at any
sacrifice to himself. He was to return
to New York, and Barbara's answer
was to be sent there. As the time
drew near, he could neither eat nor
sleep. He knew it would be the end
OF ell his feeble hopes, and yet till it
did come, there was no certainty.
How he envied this Caron Louis be
knew his pure, good Barbara had
given her love unconsciously and
without generalization, and had fought
against it. She was a noble woman,
yet how could she help rebelllng
against bondage which the one who
loved her best in all the world had
brought upon her! Slowly the YES.
sci steamed into port-a letter might
await him.
He held it in his hand-that we'll
known, plain chirogrsphy-and the
strong man felt as weak as q child.
With muttered disdain, he tore it
open. The words danced before his
eyes at first, and then he read:
II have suspected my feeling for some
time, but wanted no mistake this time,
The shock of finding a young boy here really
making love to me, under the impression
that was a widow, awakened me to fresh
sense Of my compromising position, and
also. oh. King, for my love for you! How
could I help 1.-THE bravest and most un-
selfish man in the worldp How could have
been SO foolish, 80 heartless, so blind! Can
you ever forgive me? May I come back to
you and try and make up for these long
years Of separation Or are you weaned
from me2 I shall follow this letter, and II
you can take me back, meet me in New
York and let usgo back to dear old Akenside
for our Eastertlde. II not, let me find
letter."
And 80 it was that our commander
did not come to Akenside alone. The
boys stood around the door and gate.
way Of our little stone church to see
their hero come in-so tall, 80 COM
handing. No longer grave, the dark