Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-06-27


"Yes, it's quite true, Dick-she'a
q lovely girl-and as charming in
manner as in feature. cant de-
scribe her to you--she's beyond de-
scriptlonl But she's horrid little
firtl II were you wouldn't go
near the place! You take my tip,
old man"
Jack looked at his companion, a
tall, slim young man, with jet black
hair, and a handsome mustache OF
the same color; then he cast glance
in the mirror opposite, and beheld
himself; his companion was much
the handsomer man of the two, for
Jack barely reached the middle
height, he had light hair and very
! poor apology for a mustache, and,
worst of all, 1t was straw colored!
Then his eyes were bluey gray, and
looked quite ordinary compared with
his friends fine dark orbs.
Miss Harley surely couldn't have
resisted your charms?" he said, smil-
ing.
II tell you she has broken the
heart of a dozen fellows already
and mine among them" said the 9TH
or, trying to look melancholy.
well, / shall go and still hope to
return heart free in spite of this ST.
ren's charms" laughed Jack.
But his companion shook his head
at him sadly as he left the room.
Mabel Harley was indeed all that
Jacks friend had said Of her; her
beautifully nodded figure, her trust
full brown eyes, and her wavy golden
hair all combined to give her that
peculiarly attractive appearance that
had led to the fascination and subse-
Quent downfall of 80 many would-be
| lovers.
"Who is that blond young man OPP
posite, who keeps looking this way?"
Mabel asked of the lady who sat next
her, feeling in her wicked little
heart that she had already made an
other conquest.
"oh, that's Jack Ordry, studying,
I believe, for the Bar. He is over
for a visit at his uncle's," replied the
lady addressed.
"By Jove!" muttered Jack, under
his breath. THE fellow didn't ex-
aggerate in the least-she's simply
charming!"
After dinner Jack received formal
introduction to Mary Harley. He In
vited her to dance, and Mabel COM
piled with a smile which was the
more dangerous on account OF its
seeming innocence.
After the dance the two strolled
away together, and took seat al
most hidden from view by the spread
ing leaves of palm.
Are you fond of society, Mr.. -"
Mabel queried, fixing her lovely eyer
on him.
"Call me Jack, If you please, 1t IL
easier to remember, and sounds 81
much nicer from your lips" JACK
responded with one of his most slaV-
fish looks.
Mable smiled winningly; so she
had made another conquest already.
She wished that fellows wouldn't lose
their hearts quite so readily-it spoilt
the fun.
with regard to society, think II
depends to great extent upon the
people one meets there. Sometimes
/ feel awfully bored, but l am en-
joying myself tonight immensely"
He cast at her another loving
glance as he spoke.
"Oh, for shame, Jack!" she cried,
slapping him playfully ON the back.
"And now" she continued with
| pretended gravity, II am going to
concede a point and allow you to call
me Mabel"
His answer was surprise to her,
"How delightful! Especially as there
will be no danger!"
Danger of what?" she responded
quickly.
"Of us falling in love--or any OF
that sort of nonsense. We shall be
Just like brother and sister togeth-
err"
Then her conquest was not so com.
plete after all, and Mabel answered
in momentary pique: 'There Ger.
tainly will be no danger as far as
am concerned"
Jack answered with wonderful
Hrankness: Nor as far as l am con.
cerned, either. 1 think thirty is quite
young enough for that sort of thing
and how pleasant 1t will be to bt
able to talk naturally to each othel
without being misunderstood"
What q horrid fellow!" Mabe
cried, stamping her foot impatiently
on the carpeted floor of her room
1.-THE very idea of talking to me like
thatl But I'll punish him--I'll make
him fall In love with me, and theI
just tell him what think of him."
$50 the duel has begun" Jack SO
liloquized.
So Jack waited two days before HI
paid the Harleys a visit. Mrs. Har
ley compelled him to take Afternoon
tea with them, and Jack confined hi
attentions almost entirely to the OLE
couple; they were simply delighted
with him, while Mabel thought hi
inattention to herself was positivel!
rude.
However, Mabel schemed to get I
few moments alone with Jack in tn,
garden after tea, and then she com
menced her performed plan of re
venge with her utmost ability. Fo
4 time she thought she was succeed
ing pretty well in her wicked plot
and OF last felt emboldened to pu
the question:
"Have you never been in lover
she asked.
Jack treated this as some hug
joke, Good gracious, mol" h
laughed.
II Mabel felt mortified at his an
gwers she covered her confusion abb,
enough, and her laughter neve
sounded merrier nor more unafrecte,