Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-12-18
Said Kathryn, some three months

suppose I've no right to complain, but
If I had O sister and horse, I'd
bring the two into some sort of agree
able connection or I'd set myself up
for model of seltishness.
"H'm! Would you really ride be-
hind the despised 'goat?'
"Since she's been clipped she
seems to have regained her youth.
She's almost coltish."
"But would you?-do you mean
it?"
eff I had chance"
''In the beginning I made resolu-
ton that nobody, save myself, should
ever drive Flora"
"Break it,"
81 never break VOW. There is
one other way out of the difficulty.
I'll take it to prove I'm not as selfish
as you think"
Kathryn smiled graciously and re-
sumed her embroidery, but that after
noon she was invited to drive.
Leaving mother at home?"
"Taking mother with us"
81 don't understand.
"Look out of the window"
There stood Flora appearing very
gay and youthful in new russet har-
ness, before two seated blackboard.
"My sake! the whole turnout is
symphony in browns! How swell!
And-whose?"
"Mine. Will you go?"
"Won't II"
Barbara, my daughteri He"A gov
mortgaged all your small fortune 10
+hia hops1a ~ 2ls.nendod Mrs. Belts, as
Flora gayly skinned over the ground
with three admiring women behind
her.
"Aunt Mary's little legacy has gone
into this rig!'
"Oh, then. you'll have nothing left to
sacrifice"
"Only myself"
"You'll be sold next. Or Flora, to
pay for herself"
eff she is 1 will be. Whoever takes
one must the other"
"It is clear infatuation and-ruin."
"It is pure affection.
"Stuf,."
When that drive was over Miss Bar
bara had a visitor. This was unusual.
The more so, that the visitor was q
gentleman. The maid ran out to the
stable where Bah was putting Flora to
bed, and announced, '"There's man
wants to see you, miss"
All f1o ,nolo fonona cho IN ud
formed since coming to Belleville
were connected with Flora's-or the
family's - requirements. This was
probably the "feed man," with an
other bill. The young woman's lips
took on their most soft expression.
"Well, Pm completely bankrupt.
But Flora shall not starve, if I do.
Her appetite, though, is something
frightful. However, send the fellow
out here"
Flora was never allowed to retire
except in the trimmest order, with
name in "crimps" and every hair ex-
act. Miss Barbara did not relax in
her attentions for SO slight thing as
call and probable dun. Her face was
grim and eyes averted till mascu-
line football and "Ahem!" compelled
consideration.
Then she did look up, indeed, and
screamed, "Oh, my-you!"
"Great Cesar, Barbara! You? Are
You the woman who bought my sisters
horse?"
''This is my horse. do notknow
your sister," coldly.
She had instantly rallied from her
agitation.
"But, beg pardon, you do. She
was this animals owner, obliged to
part with it after her husbands
failure. just got back from the
mines-South America-and heard it.
I am trying to recover her scattered
household gods. This beast, I sup
pose, was one of them. I came to buy
it, buth should I dream that Miss
Belts was my Miss Betts--my Barbara! !!
After ten years of waiting, darling! I
take all the blame. 1 was hot-tem-
pered and unjust. I should have re-
membered how firm you always were. !"
"No; I'm an old maid now, and they
call me 'sot'."
Flora's would-be purchaser walked
in and closed the stable door behind
him.
"Well, of all things!" exclaimed
Mrs. Belts, from her point of view. If
Barbara were younger"
"Its all right, mother. The maid
says that the gentleman is the brother
of Flora's first mistress.
After some time Bah came in, the
stranger with her.
"Mother, do you remember Mr..
Craydon? I used to know him at the
university"
The ladys memory failed, but she
accepted the statement without COM
ment. Not so quietly, however, that
which followed: 'And I've sold
Flora"
"Sold-Flora! Impossible! How
could you?"
"Because--bscause I go with the
horse. Frank Leslie's Popular
Monthly.