Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-01-15
OF NO PARTICULAR FAMILY


back again. A long absence this for a
home-loving Marriott. And he had
changed, too; changed into grave
and thoughtful man.
| He only referred to Winnie by beg
ging his mother to let that be a sealed
subject.
"But don't allow it to interfere with
Ursula's friendship, he said. "Wini-
fred is very solitary girl. It will be
kind of you to ask her now and than
to the Grange, and at such times
will always go away-unless you and
my father change your minds and tell
me you can welcome her as my wife. y
Several months passed by, during
which Ursula exchanged several let
ters with her friend. She generally
read Winnie's news aloud, for the
benefit of the family, at the breakfast
table; the impression of every one was
that the girl seemed less happy at the
French school after that one summers $
stay i'll England
II know now what home is like" "
she wrote once, ''and I envy you,
Ursula"
AS August drew near it was evil
dent that Louis grew restless. He
wanted Winnie to be invited to the
Grange even though the invitation
would involve his own absence; hut
his parents said they could not spare
him. They begged him, for their
sakes to remain for the family gath
erings usual during the holiday
months. BY this time Mrs. Marriott
would gladly have yielded to Louis
wish; she could not bear to see him so
unhappy; but Mr.. Marriott was i'm
movable. He would not countenance
an unequal marriage.
One day early in September tele-
graph boy arrived at the Grange. He
brought message from the lady di-
rectress of the French school to the
effect that Miss Warre was dangerously
ill and not expected to live. But she
had so earnestly begged that some one
from the Grange would go over TO her,
that it was I'll OH ,ht better to communi-
cate this wish. Ii complied with, not
an hour must be lost should her friends
desire to see her in life.
"My poor boy" said Mrs. Marriott,
reading the telegram; and then she
handed it to Louis, who turned white
to the lips as he glanced toward his
father.
81 must co." he said.
Certainly. We will 60 together"
said Mr.. Marriott, as he turned to time
table which always had its place among
his papers, and began studying it.
''If one of the girls can pack port
manteau in ten minutes" he added,
eve shall be able to catch the next
boat from Dover"
In quarter of an hour father and
son jumped into the dog-cart which
waited to take them to the station
Three days later, letter bearing
the French postmark was received at
the Grange. 1t was from Mr.. Mar
riot, and only consisted OF few lines
They had found Winifred extremely
ill, he said, but so pleased to see them
that he felt quite touched. She had
asked for some one from the Grange
DcC.tuSc Suc uutt HO Otucl
Louis was behaving admirably in his
calm self-control.
A second letter told rather more. 1t
seemed that influenza had made its
appearance in the school, and Winnie
was not only one of the first but one
of its worst victims. She had, how
ever, got over the attack; but instead
of becoming convalescent she grew
alarmingly weak, and the doctor spoke
frankly of her danger. Some mental
trouble was preying Oh the girls vi
tality, lie decided, and her state was
critical.
When she heard that hope for her
was very small she seemed rather glad
than otherwise, and begged that aome
one from the Grange might be sum
moned by telegram. In this letter
Mr.. Marriott said that her life WAS still
trembling in the balance. The mere
fact of surviving so long was slightly
hopeful sign, but he could speak with
more confidence in a few days.
The next letter told that the corner
was turned: Winnie would live unless
any relapse occurred.
"We cannot leave her until her re-
covery is quite certain" said Louis's
father this time. at seems such a
comfort to her to know that we are near
And in a private enclosure to his wife
he added: "The poor child loves
Louis as devotedly as he loves her.
She does not dream / surprised her
secret. She, like our brave boy, has
made brave fight But there is a
language of the eyes which is not to
be mistaken"
The fourth letter made n profound
sensation at the Grange. 1t begged
Mrs. Marriott to have everything
ready to receive Winnie Ware as
soon as she was able to travel-it |
might be fortnight's time, or at
longest, three weeks.
"We cannot leave her in n place of
which she seems weary when the
doctor declares that change of scene
and little cheerful society will do
more now than medicine" wrote Mr..
Marriott. Communication have passed
between the girls guardian and my
self, and as I have assured him that
we shall treat her as one of our own
daughters, he willingly consents to
her leaving France"
"Can your father have yielded?'
said Mrs. Marriott, in q consultation
with some of her children. ''But no
never on that point of marriage with
those we know, those who come of
thoroughly English home; and poor,
dear Winnie. i'll spite Of her sweet