Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-12-01
A SEASONED BEAUTY
By ALARsoR NORTHAMPTON.

Mr. Archibald IRulDDle uSeu some
very picturesque language. Forget
ting for the moment that his govt
was unusually painful that morning
he jumped from his chair, threw the
letter Indignantly on the table, and
INDUCED In another verbal explosion
as the movement forelbly reminded
him of his lnfirmity.
my dear, what Is it," anxiousiy
inquired his wife.
She was beautiful woman, still
young, and leader of fashion. And,
as her husband knew, the lady was
strong minded and practical He
passed the letter across the table.
There" he said, "see what that
thaC--uerneu---y ouns --I'IOC nas USoii
doing"
Mrs. bubble read aloud;
my Dear Father know that the
announcement | have to make will
pain you at first; but you will come
to see at last that ! am not to blame.
My engagement with Alice Travers
must be ended, and l mean to write
to her tomorrow and explain matters
as gently as | can. | never really
loved Alice. 1t is clear to me now
that | have given my heart to Fanny
Fairlie. She is only an attache of
the Globe Theatre-takes a promi-
nent part in the ballot, you know
but she is the sweetest and dearest
uit, ~ ,x,tyi fn aud / will mt
give her up. | have promised to
marry her, and | write to inform
you that the ceremony will take place
next Saturday. II you harden your
heart, we can live on my fifteen hun
dred year. You know, am of age
now-since last Thursday. Yours,
PERCY QUIBBLE."
"The Internal young jackass!''
cried Mr.. bubble, as his spouse fin
ished the reading of the precious
epistle. why did his grandfather
take it into his head to leave the boy
fifteen hundred a year. I'LL"
Archibald, you'll go to the me-
tropolis at once" said Mrs. bubble.
81 shall go, too. He must be seen
before he writes to Alice. This comes
of leaving him to his own devices
for an entire month in a wicked city"
Mr.. bubble never disputed with
his wife. Two hours later they were
on the way to the metropolis.
Percy bubble went that evening
to the house on West Eighteenth
street, where the divine Fanny Fair
lie lived. He was twenty-one, but he
looked seventeen, and his brains
might have fitted lad of twelve
years.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed, do you
know, Fanny, the governor and the
mater have come to town. They
drove up to the hotel just as was
leaving, and / lodged 'em. It's funny
how mad he'll be. The gov isn't so
bad, but the mater can be just terri
ble."
Fanny looked troubled.
"But, Percy, darling. you'll be
faithful to me? You know you have
promised to marry me-and whole
lot OF the girls know It,"
l think Fanny would have cried
were it not that she dreaded the re-
suit. Hers was a complexion that
could be scanned.
Fanny, dearest, love you better
than life" exclaimed the youth.
Trust me till death, darling"
And there were kisses and en-
braces.
Say, Percy, my own love." re-
marked Fanny, after an interval,
could you lend me some money? A
lot of things have to be bought for
the happy day, you know"
Percy at once tossed her five
twenty-dollar bills. He had no more.
Fanny had to leave for the theatre
shortly afterwards, and the young
man escorted her to the door and
took his usual place in the parquet.
AS Percy failed to return to his
hotel, Mr.. bubble decided to go to
the Globe Theatre and see the object
OF his sons affections. Percy had
been sitting in the front row Of the
parquet for few minutes only, when
his father took seat beside him.
You Internal young fool" the old
man muttered into his sons ear.
But the seats were nearly all oc-
cupied, and further remonstrance was
out of the question. Just then the
curtain rose, and the first scene of
the wonderful ballet, "Mazeppa, -
filled the stage Percy almost forgot
the presence of his father, for was
not Fanny there, looking quite
ethereal in the pale limellght, as she
sat on rock, waiting for the return
OF her soldier lover?
That's she-that's she!" he
hoarsely whispered His eyes saw
nothing else; his thoughts were cen
tered on that vision of pathetic love-
Illness.
ooh! that's the girls IT." said
his father.
He regarded the langulshing
maiden earnestly for few moments
Then he laughed-laughed so heart
lily that his neighbors wondered, and
his son was amazed.
Beautiful girl, Percy, my boy!
Does credit to your judgment. Must
see her when it's over"
Percy could hardly credit his ears
This, indeed, was the vary acme Of
happiness.
The old man and his son waited OF
Miss Fanny Fairlie after the ballet
was over.
Fanny, darling" cried the lover
this is my father. who is almost IL
love with you himself. don't you
know. It's funny, isn't it,"
81 think have met Miss Fairlit
before" said Mr.. bubble, coolly, ar
ranging his eyeglass and looking thu
lady full in the face. "She was Luc!
Lightfoot then"
II am quite sure you did" she re
piled, returning the stare as coolly.
Poor Percy was puzzled.
Let me sect was at the Dais,