Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-05-19

A Tangled Family,


WtSNN yet no one COulu solve
the problem and no one seemed entirely
satisfied except the new husband. The
Nanstone relations were vexed, the SER
wants sulked, and the Widows son and
daughter Charley and Mile, just of
age, imagined their prospects blighted
"oh, George, what shall l do?" said
Mrs. BeverlaD-- which wac tho iadS's
new name-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 stepchildren
more than any amount of positive op-
position would have done, and they
made no effort to conceal their feel
ings.
Il never never can call that man
fatherw said Mile.
my dear, he doesn't want you to-"
said Mrs. Beverley.
Il can't endure the sight of himw
pouted Mile. "And Charley says ex-
actly the same thing"
Charley is a disobedient, migrate
tul son" sobbed Mrs. Beverley.
But here Mr.. Beverley himself came
to the rescue.
Young people," said he, II don't
OBJECT to your making yourselves as
miserable as you like, but you mustn't
torment your mother I'll have none
of this"
Mile lost no time in carrying This
revolutionary speech straight to her
brother.
Every WELL" said Charley, coolIy;
well accept the challenge"
IN not submit to his tyranny" said
Mile. Eve got plan"
80 have l." said Charley, tots of
'em; only they don't seem to Jrk
when l try to put them into practice"
"l've been writing to Louise Vane,"
said Mile.
1T seems to me as if had heard the
name before, now that you mention it,"
said Charley, rumpling up his brown,
curly hair. But why should you
write to her?-and what has she to do
with our affairs?"
"She sympathizes so thoroughly with
me-" said Mile. "She considers sec
ond marriages as sinful as do. And
she has asked me to come to her and
stay as long as l please. There is
nice hotel in the village, Charley; and
her father is very hOspitable. And
there is fine supply Of trout and de-
llghtful shooting, Louise writes, and
plenty of agreeable society,""
mot bad idea" said Charley, re-
fectively.
ooh, 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. Beverley, half laughing, half
crying
That's the beauty of it," said her
husband. That's precisely what they
enjoyw and the jolly 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, II do hope
we shall not disturb Mr.. Vane."
Nothing disturbs papa" said Louise,
''He will never think of noticing such
chicks 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. II think the Legislature ought
to pass law against second marriages.
They are wicked, sinful; an outrage on
civilizationv'
"Of course they are" said Louise.
"But don't worry, darling. Remember
that you are with me now"
And the two callow young doves
fluttered into each others arms, with
AChC NCu NOND VI ClCl
Three months of happiness at Vane
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 nor
Charley wrote a line to Mrs. Beverley
II am afraid they have discarded
me-" said the poor lady. 81 fear that
they never mean to forgive me-" she
added, with deep sigh.
my dear, don't be a goosew said
her husband. "You don't regret our
marriage do your"
Never" said Mrs Beverley, with 0
CLEAN of spirit.
Neither do Ip' said Mr.. Beverley
laughing.
But one day Mr.. Vane called his
daughter into his study, with a serious
face, and when she came out she wa:
drowned in tears, and fled straightway
to the haven of her dearest friend
room.
"Darllngp cried Mile, "what is tn,
matter? Tell me, beseech you"
"The worst that could possibly hap
penn cried Louise traglcally. "Papi
is going TO marry again"
Mile crimsoned to the very roots o
her hair.
"He told me so himself" said Louise
81 never stopped to ask him who j
was that was to desecrate our happy
happy home. just clasDed my hand
and cried, 'Papag and ran away, sol
bling as II my heart would break. oil
and had so hoped that, when I wa
married, we could stay on here just til
same; but with stepmother, o
course, nothing will ever be the same
"You married. LouiseW cried Milli'
Didn't he tell you? But 1t onl
happened this morning. Charley ha
asked me TO be his wife"
But" faltered Mile, "lf your steT