Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-02-10

riage, after Il long widOwhood, nobody
was satisfied Old servants sulked: re.
latiOns looked black; Mile VanstOne
retired to her room, drowned in tears:
! Charley Stalked about the woods. pre-
tending to shoot cartridges and SPUR
rels. md avoided the step-paternal
presence as much as possible.
"Oh. George, what shall / do?" said
Mrs. Beverley-which was the lady's
new namc-ready to cry.
Don't mind 'em, my DEAR" said her
husband, with great, rolling laugh.
"They're only children; they'll grow
wiser as they grow older"
But the Squire's determined good
humor aggravated his stepchlldren
more than any amount of positive op-
position wonld have done, and they
made no effort TO conceal their feel.
ings.
81 never, never can call that fat
man father" said Mile.
my dear he doesn't want You to-"
said Mrs. Beverley.
II can't endure the sight of himr
pouted Mile. and Charley says ex-
actly the same thing"
Charley is a disobedent, ungrateful
SON. sobbed Mrs. Beverley.
But here Mr.. Beverly himself came
to the rescue
/ Young people" said he. 81 don't
object to your making yourselves as
miserable as you like, but YOU mustn't
torment your mother. Ill have none of
thisw.
Mile lost no time in carrying this
revolutionary speech straight to her
brother.
Very we'll" said Charley, cooly;
- o''' -Dl,a llanoo"
"Pll not submit to his tyranny, san
Millie. give got plan"
$50 have l." said Charley. "lots of
'em; only they don't seem to work
when l try to get them into practice"
i've been writing to Louise Yane,"
said Mile.
"Who the dickens is Louise Vane?"
"Oh, Charley" with n shocked look.
"yOu must know! Louise Vane-my
dearest friend-thc only person in all
the world who thoroughly understands
me-"
at seems to me as if had heard the
name before, now you mention it,"
said GGh2rIeH BEqtMHln shDDnnrd Pj Eo haE
to er?--and what has it to with our
affairs?"
"She sympNthizes so thoroughly with
Ond marriages as sinful as l do. And
she has asked me to come to her, and
stay rs long as | please. And there is
n nice hotel in the village, Charley:
and her father is very hOspitable. And
there is a fine supply of trout. and de-
lightful shooting, Louise writes, and
plenty of agreeable society"
Not bad idea," said Charley, re-
fectively.
SO that very night the young people
deserted the shadow Of the roof that
sheltered their hated stepfather. leav-
ing the orthodox letter on the tradi-
tiOnal pincushiOn.
"Oh. George! what shall we dO?"
cried Mrs. Beverley, turning pale when
she cOmprehended that her children
were gone.
Give 'em their heads" said her hus-
band, composedly drinking his coffee,
"Never drive young colts with too tight
a rein. They'll be glad to come back
in six weeks or less"
But it's such fuss about nothing"
said Mrs. Beverly, half laughing, half
crying.
That's the beauty of it," said her
husband. That's precisely what they
enjoy" and the jolly old fellow shook
with laughter.
Louise Vane received her former
schoolmate with effusiOn.
Her father, n stately, middle-aged
gentleman, spoke few kindly words
Of welcome.
"Oh, dear" said Mile, when she
was alone with her friend, Il do hope
We shall not disturb Mr.. Yane."
Nothing disturbs papa" said Louise.
"He will never think of noticing such
chits as we are Every old maid and
widow in the village has tried to marry
him ever since poor mamma died"
How dare they said indignant
Mile. 81 think the Legislature ought
to pass law against second marriages.
They are wicked, sinful; an outrage on
civilization"
cor course they are" said Louise.
"But don't worry, darling. Remember
that you are with me now"
And the two calow young doves
fiuttered into each others arms. with
renewed VOWS Of eternal friendship.
Three months of happiness at Vanc
Lodge followed. Mile and Louise
read their favorite authors together
and worked hideOus screens and i'm
! possible pOrtieres in CrewelS.
And all this time neither she MOI
Charley wrote line TO Mrs. Beverley
II am afraid they have discarded
me- said the poor lady. II fear thai
they never mean to forgive me-" she
added, with deep sigh.
only dear, don't be a goose" sale
her husband. you don't regrrt Iii
marriage, do you;"
"Never!" said Mrs. Beverley, will
q CLEAN Of spirit.
"Neitler do L." said Mr.. Beverley
! laughing.
But one day Mr.. Nane called hi
daughter into his study, with a serious
face, and when she came out she wa
downed in tears, and fed straightwa,
to the haven of her dearest friend
room.
Darling" cried Mile, "what is tn
matter? Tell me, beseech YOU"
The worst that could possibly hap
penn cried Louise, traglculy. Pap
is going to marry again"