Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-08-29

Is that why you refuse Inc now? oh,
Maggie, say you do not mean it. Say
you will be my wife"
Maggie's face was turned away; she
could not meet those frank, honest,
pleading eyes. She knew he had won
her heart. even when they had played
together as children. She almost yield
ed when she remembered how once
long ago he had defended her from a
vicious dog with nothing but his bare
hands.
But another thought kept back the
answer for which he was pleading so
hard. He was only farmer, and
though he was rapidly becoming pros
porous, she could only hope to be n
farmers wife. But as the wife Of GIL
bert Downs. the judges nephew, she
would have wealth and social position.
And she felt sure she was not mis-
taken in thinking he wished to marry
her.
Fired, do mean it. cannot marry
you"
Maggie, is it because you do not
love me"
There was no answer.
"YOu do love me; you will not say
you do not Is 1t because cannot give
you wealth? Is that why you refuse
me?"
rs 1t pleasant to expect to be poor
all ones life? A man may. make his
position in life by work, woman
must make hers by marriage"
Can you be satisfied with wealth
instead of love? But even II you can,
you may find you are making mis-
take"
I'm what way?"
you expect to marry Gilbert Downs.
but have heard he Is engaged to a
lady in the city,.
Indeed! How do you know what 1
expect? 1 will thank you to remember
that what expect or what may do
is none of your business"
A few days later Gilbert found his
opportunity and 1t occurred very near
the place where she had refused Fred.
ut is too bad you should be buried
out here on farm. Will you let me
give you the place in the world your
beauty has fitted you for? Be my
wife. Maggie, and do not waste your
life here"
Not word of love. But then she
did not care for love. But she did
remember the words she had heard In
this place so recently. Again the
thought of the small boy and vicious
dog had weight in framing her an
swer.
"How about that girl in the city?"
II do not love her. My father wished
me to marry her. She will be glad to
let me CO."
what will your father saw
II expect he will be med ut first, but
he will do the pyoSer thing when he
finds we are married"
do you expect me to marry you In
opposition to the wishes Of your family,
and knowing you to be engaged to an
other" ~
"She will not care; there Is no love
between us. Ny father has never re-
fused me anything. l can talk him
over"
"Neither is there any love between
us. Whatever you may do with your
father. you cannot talk me over. Mr..
Downs. I will not marry you. I will
not marry man I cannot respect
When alone in her room she burst
into tears. What had she done? Re-
fused the man she had loved all her
dfe. hoping to marry one more wealthy,
and now through very disgust. she
had refused him. Could she hope to
ever win Fred back? What would she
have given now for chance to an
swer him again.
A team was dashing down the road
In a wild run, the buggy behind then,
swaying from side to side ready to be
overturned at every step. Maggie sat
crouched down in the front, holding
on with all her strength.
Fred saw the team coming, and sue.
ceeded in catching the bit Of one OF
the horses. Their speed was checked
but before they stopped they left the
track, turned by his weight. and ran
into fence. Fred was between the
team and fence, and was badly hurt
Before the team was clear Of the wreck
Maggie got out and hurried to Fred's
side. He was unconscious.
When he opened his eyes again he
was in strange room. Maggle's
mother sat near him. He tried to move
but could not. He wondered what had
happened. Then he remembered.
Maggie, where Is she? Is she safe"
Eyes. thanks to you. my dear hoy
But you must not talk now"
But what Is the matter with me-
I feel as II were tied, hand and foot.
"A few broken bones and grea
many bruises. But you are coming
out all right, only you must keep quie
until you IRE stronger"
The next day Maggie came to SCI
him. She came straight to his sid
and dropped on her knees beside him.
you saved my life. Oh. Fred. how
can ever thank you for It. You have
always been good to me, better thar
deserved. This IL not the first TIM
you have risked your life for me. How
can l ever thank you enough
Fred thought he could tell her how
but he thought 1t would be useless n
we'll rs painful, to open that question
again:
| 81 could not have done less for an.
one. Yet am glad 1t was for you. III
{, friend Of my childhood"