Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-10-07

"a year day since jamie has left
her room?" said Guy, soberly.
"And yet she doesn't ''ook sick"
said puzzled Elsie.
"She isn't sickw said Doctor Mat
tison. "Come, Miss Elsie, 1 chal-
lenge you to game of chess" f..
"Well," said Elsie, there is the
board"
"Let us sit by this window" said
the doctor, moving his chair.
"Why?"
because there's q neighbor oppo-
site-Miss Sslins Settlegate.
1t was about o week afterward that
jamie was sitting listlessly in her room,
hearing merry voices below stairs,
and wondering why their owners did
not come up stairs to share her dreary
vigil, when tap, soft and low rs the
tick of French clock, sounded on
the door.
"Come in!" sighed jamie.
And Miss Salina Settlegate rustled
into the room.
Miss Salina Settlegate would havo
made very good realization of Mr..
Elmerding's fancied idea OF Cousin
Elsie. She wore spectacles, although
they were not exactly blue; she was
hard Oh the border. land OF the forties,
and she had long, pointed nose,
that looked MS if it might have been
sharpened by prying into other peo.
pies business.
excuse my intrusion" said Miss
Salina; "but have felt SO sorry for
you'll"
jamie coldly inclined her head. She
didn't like Miss Salina, and she could
not imagine what excess OF imperti.
nence had brought the woman.
eyes," said Miss Salina, especial.
ly since that bold ones come here,
who flirts so au- da- ciously with your
ahem!-your young man."
"Flirts!" cried jamie, turning pink.
and-white. like sweet-pea blossom.
II make it rule never to pry
into other folks affairs" said Miss
Salina, "but with your windows ex.
actly opposite, I can't help seeing
what is going on. How can she be so
treacherous, with her chess playing,
and her 'Emblems of Flowers and
her reading poetry out of the same
books, and-I saw it with my own
eyes, my dear-his arm around her
waist?"
1T can't be possible!" cried jamie.
"They're down stairs now, tete-a-
tete!" said Miss Salina. "You can
surprise 'em, if you've mind to-"
jamie grew pale. Real trouble
effectually banished fancied ailments
from her mind; springing lightly to
her feet, she hurried down stairs.
with step that was wonderfully
light and free for such a chronic in
valid.
Miss Salina shuflled down after
her, and noiselessly opened the door.
"There!' said Miss Salina, II told
you so. sparkin' on the sofy, side by
side"
jamie, whose nerves were strung to
the highest possible tension, uttered
a:slittle, hysterical laugh. Cousin
Elsie was sitting on the sofa, indeed,
with gentleman beside her, but it
was not Guy Elmerding.
doctor Mattison!" cried she.
EXACTLY" said Doctor Madison.
rising to his feet. $50 we have sue.
ceeded? Much obliged to you, Miss
Settlegate." ..
"Ain't it the right young man?" de.
manded the spinster, rubbing her
long nose.
ooh, yes-it's the right young
mani" said jamie, unable to repress a
laugh, mortified as she was at her
own foundationless jealousy. Dear
Elsie, why didn't you tell me?"
Because" Elsie made answer,
radiant with smiles and bushes, "we
have only been engaged for about five
minutes''
"And Guy?"
"Guy knows nothing of it as yet,"
answered DR.. Madison, "but I shall
suggest to him that his wedding take
place at the same time"
At the same moment, Mr.. Elmerding
opened the door.
"Hello!" said he. "Janie!'
eyes, Janie!' and she came for.
ward with both hands outstretched,
feeling that she owed him some repair.
alton for venturing to doubt him,
even in her heart. "Guy, I'm afraid
I tried you dreadfully; but-but I be.
lieve 1 see the folly of my fancies
now"
They we're married just. when Octo.
Der fades into November.
ut isn't every old bachelor doctor
whom I should advise to attempt this
sort Of cure" said Doctor Mattisoni
"because every .conspirator isn't
an Elsie-and there's some danger in
playing with edged tools!'