Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-03-14

SrS yrt&fAS ssEa Vigo street
'iss-II,e-rNsS ia ly. 1t is 6
+ 81 z5BS s and ss5s r. ss 9 ia:
nue. gives it an added air of seclusion.
Bachelors live in the Albany, and are
tended by discreet, pale faced house
keepers, to whom they commonly
leave in their wills ESQ and several old
silk hats.
81 think" said Mr.. Robert Mep.
sted to himself, with one foot pressed
hard against the mantelpiece at No. c
NJ, "that ] should like to see her just
once again. Only once, mind There
are one or two things I should like to
say casually to her, Just to show that
am quite contented as l am"
The youngest tenant in the Albany
sighed. Now, it is not usual for mel
who brag of being contented to sigh.
"There's Il popular impression, u
went on Mr.. Robert Mepsted, argu'
mentatively, "thatia bachelor must be
lonely. 1t is q most mistaken impress.
sion. 1t is high time that the world
recognized what blunder this is.
There is no more preposterous--"
Mr.. Robert MeEsted, turning round
in his easy chair to argue with al
imaginary opponent, stopped. In the
doorway was Mrs. Long, his house
keeper, with card on-a brass waiter
Il squarish card, which Mrs. Long
pres. nted with an air of some reluct,
ance.
"Lady Westenhanger and Miss
Westenhanssr,' read Mepsted. He
turned away, that Mrs. Long whom
he feared should not see his face red.
den.
care they - or - waiting, Mrs.
Long?"
II have shown the ladies, SIR" said
Mrs. Long, trembling with the knowl-
edge of having done the right thing,
"into the sitting room. Shall tell
them you are not at home, sir?
81 will come in there"
"Ho !" said Mrs. Long, disappoint.
edly.
Mepsted stood for moment at the
door of the room. He wanted, above
all things, to regain his self.compos.
ure he desired also to remember the
few satirical remarks that he had pro.
posed for this emergency. The sound
of her voice within, arguing gently
with her shrill.voiced mother, sent
the sarcasms-and they were uncom.
monty good arcasms-effectually out
Of his head.
"My dear Mr.. Mepsted. I am so
glad we found you in. Mary and l
were in town, and we were making
calls, and Mary suggested"
"We had not seen you for some
time" interrupted Mary Westenhang.
er, hurriedly.
otis too good of you both to call, {"
said Robert Mepsted. "Can I give
you tea or something's am rather
awkward at playing host at present,
but shall get used to the game with
practice. Some bachelors I know
manage very we'll.
81 want" said Lady Westenhanger,
'to call in at Bond street and see q
jeweler man. So thet I don't think
well trouble you, Mr.. Mepsted."
"Do You want to go to Bond street,
Miss Westenhangerf"
"Not in the least, Mr.. Mepsted. I
don't like jewelry."'
That's most outrageous remark
to make" said Lady Westenhauger,
with severity. 81 consider it almost
impious. Every woman should"
"Then how would it be-" suggested
Mr.. Mepsted, genially, "for you, Lady
Westenhanger, to drive round to Bond
street. for you, Miss Westenhanger,
to remain here, and for my. house
keeper to give us tea? I've been
writing all the afternoon, and I want q
cup"
This was where Mary Westenhanger
showed strategy worthy of field
marshal.
~ think I had better 60 with nam.
ma" she said, mildly.
"And think" said Lady Weston.
hanger, with severity, "that you will
do nothing of the sort. You will re-
main here, Mary. until l return. Mr..
Mepsted Is not like one who is new
friend of the family"
''Lady Westenhaneer,' said Robert
Mepsted, "you are always right" He
pressed the electric knob and gave to
Mrs. Long directions. ''Let me see
you to your carriage. Miss Weston
hanger, can you find an illustrated
paper to look at until return?"
81 don't think I care for art" she
said. quietly, "just now"
Mr.. Robert Mepsted returned very
quickly. Mary Westenhanger was
looking, with her hands clasped be-
hind her, at portrait of his mother,
and when she turned there were tears
in her eyes.
"Tea already here2 p he exclaimed,
breezily. "What asd&hital m anager
Mrs. Long is! Will yod POUR out, Miss
Wostenhanger?" ...-.
'I still possess Christian name ~
she remarked, as she obeyed.
"YOu haven't discarded everything,
them"
Mr.. Robert Mepsted made mental
note OF the score. Sarcasm number
one.
'I wanted particularly to see you,' u
she said. She lifted her cup, but her
hand trembled, and she replaced it on
the table where it was safe. "Tm
afraid that 1 was very stupid and I'M.
reasonable when we met last"
81 don't like to contradict you," he
said.
"And well, 1 want to apologize,
Robert. In general way, 1 can bear
my mother pretty we'll, but on that
day she had been more than usually
trying"
II don't think We need say any more
about it, Mary"
.'Do You really mean that?" she
asked, quickly.