Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-04-04
THE COMM ANDER'S EASTER
By RHODES CAMPBELL.

All Akenside was stirred by the news
that the commander would be home
for Easter. To the younger genera
tion he was hero, perhaps all the
more so on account of his long alb.
sence. Then he was naval officer,
and he had had a romance, which
keenly interested the young people
especially.
He had never visited our little town
SINCE he had left it that memorable
day after his unfortunate marriage.
Rumors of this and that had reached
the ears of the good folk of Akenside,
but it was from an intimate friend Of
Barbara Lippincott that I heard the
story.
The communicating West-was
early left alone in the world, and made
his home during holiday times at the
Lippincotts', who were old friends of
his mother. He was at college with
Ned Lippincott, and then was sud-
denly seized with the fever to be o
sailor. An influential friend of his
fathers gained him the appointment |;
he passed the requisite examination,
and entered the Naval Academy. He
had graduated. and was about to enter
upon his new duties, when his health
suddenly failed. 1t was not uncom-
mon story of fine physique and per-
feet health ruined by persistent disre-
gard of all hygienic rules. He came
to the only home he had known for
years, as every one thought, to die.
He did not give up without q desper-
ate struggle. He consulted the best
physicians, who all agreed that his
case was hopeless. Mrs. Lippincott
having died within the year, Barbara,
the only daughter, his lifelong play
mate and friend, was his untiring
nurse. 1t was his only consolation.
She was so sympathetic, so earnest, so
beautiful King lay there one day
watching the pretty figure in the per.
feotly. lifting mourning dress, which
brought out with startling clearness
the golden hair, deep blue eyes and
fair skin OF Barbara Lippinoott.
''Bab, come here, will your" he
asked.
Something new in his tone made the
girl look at him apprehensively as she
obeyed him. He was lying on the low
couch, and she sat on cushion beside
him. The contrast between the strong
man so familiar to her and the one she
saw now made her voice very tender,
as she asked:
"Can I do anything for you,
King?"
eyes, you can-marry me-" was the
abrupt reply. II know I'm not much
to marry" he went on, in his faint
voice. ''Bones, chiefly, but it is the
desire of my heart to have you bear
my name for awhile, and-and-"
Here a flush came into the pale
face.
"-and to have you take care of all
this money ! must leave to some one.
1t will save me q world CT trouble, and
you will do far more good than I ever
could or would do with it. I know
you don't love me, dear, as do you.
but I thought, perhaps, you'd con.
sent; it's for such little while. Why,
I can hardly remember the time I
didn't love you. But, darling"
He stopped abruptly, and Barbara,
alarmed by his pallor, shocked and
overcome by his unexpected confession
and request, could only beg him to
give her time.
That night she lay awake trying to
decide what to do. She longed for her
mother as never before. She loved no
one else, but the hero Of her dreams
had always been an unknown, fascin.
sting creature, and King West she
knew 60 we'll. He was dear good fel.
low, brave and handsome, but she
would almost as soon think of marry
ing Ned as this old and intimate
friend. It wrung her womanly heart
to think Of him so soon to-die. What
mattered her girlish qualmsf As he
had said, it would be such little
while. after all, and it would make the
dear fellow happier. But there was
that money. If only he were poor. her
motives would be understood; but
well, what did she care il her own
heart was right? And she would give