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

Well, she tells Bob, and as ''he'
happens to be Oh the parade opposite,
she points him out.
'Isn't he communicating fellow?'
she says.
That's the worst of Mabel, she will
allow herself to he prejudiced.
Looks like barber out for holi-
day." Bob reioins.
Mabel laughs Silly. Her infatua-
tion for Bob is really amusing.
"Why like barber?" Task, coldly.
ellis hair is cut so we'll"
Mabel giggles. 1t is strange how
some people mistake vulgarity for
wit.
A week has passed. Affairs are ap-
proaching crisis. He loves me- l
know it. He simply follows me like
my shadow. If I go on the pier, he is
there. II 1 take book and sit OH the
parade, he is there again. can only
escape him by using my bike, and 1
can't be always hiking. Besides. the
roads are not very good about Eastsea.
It's perfect shame we don't know
each other. am certain he is gen
tleman-in spite of what Bob and
Mabel say. He has that lorlly bear
ing and those aristocratic features one
reads of in novels. OF course, Bob
and Mabel know nothing of such mat
ters.
TO tell the truth, I'm bit disgusted
with him. shouldn't mind so very
much if he did speak to me, but can't
very we'll tell him so. Isuppose he's
afraid I should snub him. OF course
1 should have to pretend to be very
angry.
And then there's Mabel. If she
found out-well, 1 should be packed
off home at once. Still something
must be done. He is growing des-
perate. So am I.
have found way. 1t is simple,
yet effective. am going to tumble
off my "bike"-on purpose-and he
will come to my rescue. 1t is all orig
inal idea and rather takes my breath
away. wonder what Mabel wonld
say if she knew. Really, think she
would faint.
have arranged everything beauti-
fully. Between five and six every
evening he PAGES the parade, smoking.
This is the hour when shall put my
design into execution. I shall pass
him, vanish around the corner, quickly
dismount, lay my machine in the road,
and sit on the curbstOne nursing my
ankle. If all goes we'll he will be the
first person to find me. 7 shall ex.
plain that + have had nasty spill and
damaged myself. He will give me his
arm and assist me home. Thus we
shall become acquainted.
All does 90 WE'LL pass him, turn
sharply round the corner, jump off,
lay my machine down, and sit on the
curbstone with woe-begone express
sion on my face, A few minutes latel
he comes in sight, naturally looks
after me, sees me hors de combat, and
flies to my assistance.
"You are hurt?" he says, eagerly.
I looked up in feigned agony.
cit is my ankle" I murmur; 81
think have sprained it."
81 will fetch cab, he goes on.
81 think-I think I could manage
if you gave me your arm," I answer.
SIT isn't very far"
lie helps me up. manage to limp
very prettily, though I'm afraid I'm
not so pale as I ought to be. How
ever succeed in concealing this lit.
tie deficiency by holding my hand.
kerchief to my face.
Shall ever forget Mabel's EXPIRES.
sion when she sees us? 1t is all
can do to keep from laughing. She
opens the door for us, and I explain
matters. She thanks my rescuer with
frigid politeness and helps me to the
sofa.
He seems strangely flushed and
nervous. I suppose it is Mabel's
manner-or overjoy at making my
acquaintance under such romantic
conditions. Most probably the lat
, ter. In a few minutes he rises to 60
''Thank you very much, r.
+ I murmur, sweetly, as 1 give him my
, hand.
my name is C--Cunningham,
he stammers. "C-Captain Cunning
ham,"
, Then he bows himself out. Cap
, tain Cunningham! 1 knew he was
, we'll connected. And how he pressed
, my hand!
As the door closes on him, Mabel
who has been in o state of suppressed
wrath, practically explodes. I all
, swer that 1 couldn't help falling. A
iib is necessary here. Then ! ask
her if she doesn't think it lucky he
T happened to be passing? She, only
3 bites her lip in silence. / smile.
v My sprained ankle causes me some
: inconvenience. Mabel, who fussc.
t about pin scratch, insists on keep
= ing me on the couch for a couple o
g days and anoints the injured plac.
with quarts of embrocation. .-
f This has o wonderful effect. I an
n better in no time. With the aid of ,
+ stick lit won't do to recover all Q
4 once) I get out on the front, eager
4 expectant. The captain has callet
y twice to inquire after me, and now h,
4 hastens to my side.
II We spend very pleasant morning
g His acquaintance with The titled classe
+. is extraordinary. He is q persona
friend of the Prince OF Wales and ha
stayed at Sandringhsm. He says h
o has come to Eastsea to recuperate
= He tells me there are times when h
/. tires of the constant whirl Of plessur
II in which he lives; times when he love
e to steal awayto some retired spot witt
sympathetic companion. Here /,
:, gives me q look that cannot be miscon
n struea.
p fancy he is poetical. shall as
,. him to.write some verses in my album
Q I see him often now. ask him i
IS to afternoon tea. He pleads An ell
gagement, however. As q matter G
,f fact, don't think he cares for Mabel
n T am not surprisel Her attitude &c