Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30
everything that they or you most de-

II thought that he would have hat
n fit in his joy He thanked me ovel
over and over again for my wish, an(
he called down upon me the blessings
OF heaven. 1 confess / was much in
terested, not only in this faithful old
servant but in the whole atmosphere
and appearance OF the house. 1t is
true that the Turkish rug was worn
into threads, that the hangings 'and
draperies at windows and doors were
faded, that the damask on chairs and
huge sofas was in tatters; yet the
ancient mahogany furniture, the
quaint brasses, the fine portraits,
brio. a-brac and bronzes, all bespoke Il
past of departed glory. On q small
carved candlcstand beside the silve,
waiter, shutters and candlestick. I. lay
this miniature. The pure oval face.
the exquisite coloring, the gentle
look, naturally called for admiration,
and while talked to Uncle Isaac l
was staring at this beautiful picture.
$40 finish my story, however. AT
last the interview camo to an end,
for after | had wished all luck to the
house, Uncle Isaac did not ask me to
prolong my stay, and ] hurried off to
my breakfast and business engage.
ment.
My visit to Baltimore was q short
one, and knowing few persons here I
had neither the opportunity nor the
time for social doinss, and so of
course spoke to no Que Of my morn
ing's adventure. Soon after l re-
turned to New York J was obliged to
go abroad, and that in measure OBJ
liberated my impression of my early
call. Still the face in tho miniature
haunted me; go where J. would, /
found it always before me, and
mentally I compared the face of every
woman that met with this, which to
me WAS the standard of feminine
beauty.
"Ano'her year passed, and, strange
to say, the next New Years, the Van
Burdens, who had come here to re-
side, invited me on TO " dinner and
to go with them afterwards to one of
the lannon's Monday cotillons. Hav-
ing heard so much of the loneliness
of the Baltimore women and OF the
bounty of the Maryland larder, was
only too glad to accept the invita-
ton"
"And now 7 suppose that you have
come to the heroine Of the miniature. !"
said Mr. Lennox.
"You have not been long in guess
ing that point OF my story" laughed
the host. gym Burden informed nae
before dinner that / was to take In
Miss Beresford, who, he added pleas.
antly, was as lovely as dream. For
some mysterious reason the miniature
rose up before me, and 1 wondered
inwardly if the beautiful Miss Beres.
ford would dare compete with it, little
dreaming of the reality.
Among the last of the guests to ar
rive, in fact, Immediately before din
ner was announced, Miss Beresford
appeared, and I was at once brought
up and presented. My wits seemed
to desert me; 1 could only stare at
the exquisite vision before me,
gowned IN white chiffon made up in
the quaint style OF the picture, with
string of pearls about the fair young
throat. By the way she has since con-
iided to me that she had copied the
gown from the picture, and that the
pearls were the identical ones in the
miniature.) I mechanically offered
my arm as we walked out to dinner,
aud could hardly keep up the conven-
tional small talk of society. My eyes
could see nothing but the realization
of my dream, and the perfect features
and rose tinted complexion of the
picture were personitied in the young
girl beside me.
FINALLY I said:
az have surely seen your picture
your miniature, have I not?'
"N1iss Beresford laughed.
"'Not NINE she answered. and
musinSly added, Il don't think you
could ever have seen Peales minia-
ture of my great grandmother Donald,
whom / am said to resemble
Suddenly the truth flashed upon
me.
"'Why.' I exclaimed, 'you are the
young mistress, the Miss Ev'lyn Of
the od-iashioned house that I wished
good luck to year ago to-day.
"My companion started.
" What 10 you mean?' she asked.
Have You ever seen our house?'
"'I know Uncle Isaac
"'Uncle Isaac! Why, who are you?'
"'Did the old man never tell you
of the stranger he invited into your
house to wish good luck for the lam
lily last New Years day?'
"'Ohn said she. Are you indeed
that wonderful man who brought us
all kinds of good things by your wish
VINO saved our old home from mort
gage foreclosure, and gave my dear
grandmother new life and hope? Are
You the heto Of Uncle Isaac's wonder
full story
"WelI, it took many evenings to
discuss the situation thoroughly, and
I learned that, strange to relate, from
the morning when ] made my wish
every prospect cleared for the family
of Beresford. Unexpected money came
\ to them aud tn e ancient home was saved.
New health and vigor came to Mrs.
! Beresiora's worn out frame, and my
Evelyn herself threw away the cares
and sorrows that oppressed her. !,
| thp rompntic stranger. was n mystery
aud wonder to them; for had been
described in such glowing terms by
Uncle Isaac that appeared more lil:e
an angel than hungry man running
of to his breakfast.
1.-The story is thrilling" cried the
friend, approvingly.
at is nearly told. T discovered
that Baltimore was place to visit
often aud to stay in long; business
opportunities opened for me here,