Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-01-13

.,SsgS my temper. Yo'
s~ would try tn
patience of Job. It's pretty how d,
you do if IL man of my time of lif
must be catechised by his own chill
dren. I've told you before that
have no fault to find with Fanny
I've known her from chill lhood, and
think her sweet, gentle girl; bu
that doesn't help the case any. AL
fred can never marry Fanny, fo
George Wilbur and l promised, year!
ago, that Alfred and Belle Shout,
marry when they became of prope
age. Now, my dear, it's no use o
your saying anything else about it
Hush. that will do" said Mrs. Austin
as Clara was about to speak. Cruz
along now, and see that supper is
served little earlier this evening, a:
I wish to go out on business.
Clara rose to obey her fathers com
mand with pout.
''Come back here this Instant
What are you pouting about? Now
Clera, I wish to give you final warn
ing. There is to be none of thi.
pouting. or acting like hoyden, a:
you usually do, before Belle. Re
member, she has spent the last veal
and half in Europe, and | wish yor
to mark how she conducts herself ant
try to follow her example"
Poor Clara Austin was a hoyden il
her fathers eyes, although a moro
gentle, ladylike girl could not BIZ
found.
The whole trouble was, Mr.. Austin
was little irritable, excitablc ole
gentleman. who always imagined al
in his household were doing theil
best to annoy him.
"Alfred," said Clara to her brother,
next day, "Bello has answered my
letter. aud it is just as I expected.
She is in love with Allen Brinton, and
he with her. Allen accompanied
them to Europe, you know, and stands
in high favor with her mother, but
she says she must humor her fathers
within and accept papa's invitation
She says also for me to tell you and
Fanny not to be alarmed, that with Il
little assistance from you she can
manage 1t so that papa will be very
glad to get rid of her before II fort.
night is at an end"
CLARA, you're an angel! wonder
how Belle is going 10 manage it?
Does she mention how she wishes me
to assist her?"
Eyes; she says Alfred must pretend
to be satisfied with the arrangements
made by our far-seeing parents, ages
ago, and he must be- all attention to
me, even in the presence of his be-
loved Fanny"
"Clara, Clara, I say! Where are
you? Come here! DO hurry; the
carriage is coming up tho road!'
shouted Mr.. Austin, as he stood, on
the following day, gazing out of the
parlor window.
"Why, what's the matter, papa?''
said Clara, hurrying in from the hall.
"Now, my dear, Belle is coming,
and don't disgrace me by rushing at
her Is if you were a wild animal and
ready to devour her. Wait and see
how nicely and quietly she does every
thing. That is one thing admire
about New York girls; they take every
thing as matter of course, and never
set one nervous by getting excited
over triAes," said Mr.. Austin, who
was all excitement himself.
The carriage stopped before the
gate; Alfred Austin stepped out and
assisted young lady to alight.
els Papa Austin in here?" said q
voice in the hall in very loud key,
and a young girl, with sloe.black eyes
and cheeks and lips of coral tint, burst
into the foom, and before Mr.. Austin
was aware of it threw her arms around
his neck and kissed him.
"Why, bless me, Isabelle, you've
taken my breath away" cried Mr..
Anstin, struggling to regain com
posure.
"Taken your breath away? I beg
pardon, sir; I really didn't mean to
do it,"
"Poor child! she's very glad to see
me-" thought Mr.. Austin.
"Sit down here, rly child, and lei
ne look at you," said the old gentle
man.
Belle opened her English walking
Jacket, sat down, sidewise, on tine
chair indicated, threw one arm over
the back of it, and with the other hant
pushed back her jaunty hat, with the
scarlet wing, and revealed her jet
black hair, parted on the side ant
combed in waves low over her fore
head.
"Why, Isabelle, what a woman
you've grown in the last two years!
would scarcely know you. How arr
all the folks at home, my dear?'
ooh, they're all lovely. Glars, yor
little angel, just run upstairs and SET
that my trunks are unAacked, viii
you?"
Mr.. Austin's red face grew shade
redder as Clara rose to obey Belle.
"Wait m~lent, Clara, think II
go with you; I wish to select dress
to wear this evening. Am to have
my dear old room once Dore?"
"Certainly, DEAR" said Clara.
"By-bye, for a while, Papa Aus
tint" cried Belle, hurrying afte1
Clara.
"Well, to be sure! Did anyone
ever see such strange creature? Sh,
is half crazy with delight for being
with us once more" thought Mr.
Austin.
Belle came down to supper. look
ing charming in a rose-colored sill
that swept the carpet for two yard
behind her.
During the meal Belle chatted ava.
about New York people, and New
York fashions, until Mr.. Austin, wht
was somewhat of n gourmand, and en-
ioyed nothing so well as quiet meal
was unable to swallow mouthful.
con, by the way, Clara, are yol
and Fanny Ives as good friends q
aya,cr