Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-03-12

Mabel, too, complains OF Delng unll.
Was she ever anything else? Or
course, it's waste of time taking any
smart frocks, and as tell Jane to pack
my new cycling costume OTIS just
lovely, T sigh, for l know its sweet
ness will be thrown away at Eastsea.
[ can't say how thankful I am, when,
having seen my "bike" safely in the
van, l find myself in tirst-class COM
partment and know that at least am
rid of mamma. Mamma is trying at
the best of times, but when I'm going
away by myself she's really awful. All
the way to the station she was telling
me to be careful every other minute.
She seems to think I'm perfect child
The journey is uneventfnl. Some
times one has delightful little adven-
lures when travelling. L remember
how-but never mind that now, l man
age to beguile abe time pretty well
with novel and box OF chocolates.
Bob is waiting for me on the plat
form. He says L look very we'll. I
rather like Bob. To be sure he is
absurdly infatuated with Mabel, and
pets and spoils her in a way that is
quite preposterous, but L suppose he
can't help it. When ask him how
she is, he says not very well, and he
says I must try and cheer her up. [
nearly laugh in his face. OF course, l
know there is nothing the matter with
her. The fact is, the more you humor
Mabel the worse she is.
As + expected, L find her with tn at
martyred expression OF countenance
she adopts when she wants n.ollycod-
ding, and after dinner I march her off
to bed. Bob, who makes himself a
pitiable slave, says he will sit with her
little if don't mind beingleft alone.
I say not bit, and tell him I'll just
have short spin on my wheel before
it gets dark. At this Mabel nearly
goes into Mysteries. She calls me
"imprudent. However, ] get away
by promising to keep Oh the Parade.
Really, Mabel is getting quite old wo-
manish.
1t is pleasant evening, and / have
the road nearly to myself. AS | ex-
pected, the place is almost deserted
almost, but not quite. Going down ]
pass gentleman on foot. 1 like the
look of him. He is tall dare say
my head would rest comfortably on his
shouldcr-anl as I steal glance q,
his face as I skim by see that he is
good looking. Meeting him as come
back I see that he is very good look
ing. see that he thinks the same OF
me-. Our eyes meet. He stares-ii
admiration-and, although I dom
look back (I don't know how resis'
the feeling. l know he stops anf
looks after me. After all, it is lucky
l brought my new costume. I shal
probably see him again. OF course
say nothing to Mabel about him. Sh'
would only begin about my 'impru
dence."
His eyes haunt me all night.
I do see him again-the following
evening. This time I do look back
and he has stopped, and he is watch
ing me. ain vexed with myself TO
looking, and I know I shall blush til,
next time we meet.
1t happens the ensuing morning
Coming ont of the gate I nearly rul
against him. In my confusion dro]
my glove. He stoops to pick it mp
So do 1. Our hands touch. H
apologies. So do I. Then he raise
his hat aud goes on his way.
As luck has it, Mabel j. witness o
this encounter from the sitting-roon
window. Her face is Just awful, an,
when get in she ''begins."
"He stood and stared after You 70
fully five minutes" she says, nearl.
choking with indignation.
"Did he, really?" / murmur, feign
ing astonishment. of course 1 kne,
ne had. "How rude of him.
"Rudem Mabel echoes. Carrie
you mustn't go ont again alone.
shall tell Bob"
Well, this shocker! I don't wan
Bob tackled on to me whenever I z
ont, and I make light of the matte
and tell her not 10 be absurd. It
positively appalling how staid an
proper Mabel has become since sh