Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-05

pletely moss bounds narrow sheo
track between powders and stone
left something to be desired in til
way OF comfort ON dusky evening
If Mr.. Ferrsnd's brow wore an i'm
patient frown as he followed in til
footsteps of the tall, 1.-the figure be
fore him, perhaps he was not at all t
blame. Presently the girls ste]
faltered, it grew more aud more IN
certain. and at laet she came to dea
stop. The humiliating confession wa
made-she had lost her way. Excite
by her recent carriage accident. chag
rined with her companion, she ha
walked heedlessly where every ste
should have been warily noted. Mr.
Ferrand looked decidedly blank whel
Beatrice, in small voice, stated tha
she had not an idea where she was
further, that the moor WAS honey
combed with auarries. undiscernabl
in the evening gloom.
Indeed! Had you stated that fac
before, would not have consented Il
cross the moor. Fancy attempting
'honeycombed moor IN the dark !"
She made no reply, and he walke'
cautiously few steps over the coars
grass, returning again to her side witt
an audiable "Perfect madness to hav
attempted it," on his lips.
II am very vexed," she said meekly
II believed could keep the track
use it so often. It does not run ver'
near the quarries.
Mr.. Ferrand had struck bundle o
matches, and was STOPPING with tn
daring, spluttering light in his hand
trying to make out the lay of th,
ground. The light fell on the girl
face, and he dropped the matches a
if they had become unpleasantly hot
He had seen tears on Miss Lennox'
face, and quivering red mouth. Hi
voice and look were gentle enongl
when next he spoke.
"Well, Miss Lennox, there is onl,
one course to follow; the moon will
rise shortly. We must wait patiently
till she is up"
Two powders formed comfortabl,
corner seat. There he made her 81
down, she doing what he bade her
and giving the lead to him in a WAY
which would have surprised her indie
pendent young self at any other time
1t seemed he wished to put her at ease
aud for that purpose talked on IN the
matter.of-faot, friendly tones, withou,
requiring much reply on her part.
Leaning against the bowlder, he TOLD
her of the wandering life he had led,
of scenes and places he had visited
and people he had met, until she for
got her humiliation, and was surprised
to find how quickly the time passed
till the round moon appeared in the
East. He would not allow her to ven
ture forth till the white light lay
around tuem clear and bright; then
he arose.
'Now let us try our fortunes, Miss
Lennox. Lead on, and I will follow,
and show I have still some trust in
you"
She laughed merrily.
"fndeed, I could not complain il
you had not.
They moved on cautiously, till CRY
OF relief from Trix told that she had
ner behring's.
81 see the Mare Stone! Do you see
it yonder, Mr.. Ferarnd? That stone
is on the main track. We have been
close to the edge OF the moor oil along,
had l only known it,"
II hope the time you have been kept
prisoner has not been too wearisome
L give you my word, have tried to
amuse YOU"
"No one could have been o pleas
anter or kinder companion than you
have been tonight" she broke in i'm
petuously. land you have every right,
I am sure, to have been cross; my
deserved punishment"
'Do you know you imply that am
not always pleasant companionP
Perhaps a feeling OF self.protection is
my best excuse. To pass many such
hours as have been passing this even.
ing might be dangerous to ones peace
OF mind"
The red light from the cottage
fell ON Trix's face, showing
its crimson dye. Mr.. Ferrand thought
OF that blush as lie walked on alone to
the Manor.
1t was spring; everything was Joy.
GUS and gay every thing except Trix
face was flushed with
anger; she stood facing Mr.. Ferraud
in the long shrubbery walk, biting her
lips and trying to keep back the hot
tears. The little Moorish ring he had
placed on her finger but few hours
earlier lay on the ground between
them. Fol space Trix had been az
happy as q girl could be. Since that
December evening Mr.. Ferrand had
been her old good comrade of the
lakes; that evening he had asked her
to be his wife, and she had accepted
him. And then her curiosity had
marred it all; true daughter of Eve,
she had worried him into telling hel
why he had treated her so badly at
Graswater. Perhaps Mr.. Ferrand had
been clumsy in telling; at any rate he1
pride rose in arms. So he had regarded
her as the despicable Airt; he had seen
she cared for him-then it was pity
that made him be kind at last. It was
all over, and the gold circlet lay be-
tween them, and Trix would not hear
word in extenuation. $50 be it, -
said Mr.. Ferrand, bowling to her de-
cision; he, too, was angry. She waf
fooling him, playing fast and loose
with him. There WAS no making uI
the quarrel. Mr.. Ferrand quilted the
Manor next day, and was seen no more.
Each was proud, each in fault; and
the girl, at least, suffered. Thanh
goodness no one had known of her en-
gsgement. none knew Of her humilia
tion; it was her only consolation.
Three months later Beatrice was {
guest at st. Michaeps Hall, on tht
northern sea coast. 1t was pleasant
house for girl to stay at, but Tri1