Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-03-08

you and John will keep the farm in
running order, and on my return hope
to Introduce you to your future mis-
tress."
| clucked to the horse, without wait
ing for any reply from Helenette. TO
my dying day | shall never forget the
strange look that came into her face.
l gave 1t scarcely seconds notice,
however, but dashed down the two
mile road leading to the village.
Going to town, Neighbor Boiling
broke"
Looking over my shoulder, l beheld
Mr.. Dayson, a we'll to do farmer who
lived mile below my own farm, COM
ing with his fine span of grays, the
beams of health irradiating his counte.
nance.
"Yes-I'm wife hunting" l said face
tiously, refining to one side that he
might pass.
NO, keep on; I'm not bound for the
village to-day; | turn toward Mr..
l'tl ~ Vic wi hCl. buN, NY
dear Bolingbroke, you have left the
woman you want behind"
What do you mean"
"IIelenette's the wife for you. She's
economical. capable, and you're more
than half in love with each other"
"Gammon! She thinks Of nothing
but her work"
go back and find out II I'm not
right Why, you ought to marry her!
She's helped to buy the farm"
My neighbor drove on, leaving me to
ponder over his words. l remembered
the look on Helenette's face as drove
away. What If 1t should be
Hello! Can you tell me how far it
is to Gordon Bolingbrokes:'
l looked up to see n gentlemanly
looking person standing In the road.
"Why do you wish to know"'
~ want to see his housekeeper, Hell
enette Rathburne. Having decided to
take a wife, intend to make her pro-
posal.'
| was dumfOunded for a minute; then
| said CURLY:
Gordon Bolingbroke's farm is just
one mile from here. Take the first
road that leads to the right. Good.
day, sir"
touched my horse testify with the
whip, the result being that l found
myself in the ditch, my tie out of gear,
Nnfrh l.hnin hr.plyan How, wi, ilD
knew nothing. Then somebody
swectly asked:
"Are you feeling better, Gordon?"
1t was the voice of Helcnctte.
"Better? What's the trouble"'
Don't you remember being thrown
from your team week ago."
"Oh. yes, l remember; but that was
only few minutes since"
you have lain here nearly seven
days"
".And where am I. pray?"
In your own house, in bed"
I'm bed? What for? I'm going tC
get up"
Gordon, listen. You are not your.
self. You received bad conclusion
Of the brain and have at times been
violent. l had to have some one to
take care Of you"
l raised myself in bed; beside me sat
the man l had met on the road.
What! You here?" exclaimed.
"Yes, begging your pardon. Mr.. Boil.
ingbroke. If l We're not you might
now be dead man."
Ii all began gradually to come back
to me.
81 see you found my housekeeper,"
I said significantly.
"Oh, yes"
"And have you proposed marriage
to her."
mol couldn't do that"
why"
"She is my sister, told you I had
n proposal to make. SO had. But 1t
wasn't what you thought"
stared first at one and then at the
other. Helenette was smiling but
looked at me earnestly.
what mystery is this" exclaimed
mo mystery at ALL My sister nnd
| left our poor home some five years
since to seek our fortunes, she going
in one direction and In another, the
agreement being that neither Of us
should wed until success crowned om
efforts. Well, l am established in
business, and came to ask her to helr
me get my house ready for my future
wife"
~ am glad Miss Rathburne is your
sister,"
80 am I. When you marry she will
come to live with me. That also was
in the agreement"
"Never! I've been fool. Helenette,
will you have me? It's you I've wanted
all along. only 1 didn't know it."
Hclenette made some demur, but
finally promised to remain on the farm
as its mistress. And If any one wants
to see the happiest pair in the world
let him call at Gordon Bolingbroke's.
M