Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-04-24

the car. There were the fittings Of
cream leather and purple velvet-but
the clock! The gold monogram be-
meath its enameled face bore the mi
tials "B. c." instead Of "A. l.. o."
In place OF the purple velvet cush-
ions ON which her feet were wont TO
rest there was n white fur rug.
The machine was not the Purple
Comet!
1t was SO like her own that she
rould see how she had made mistake
But where was the strange chauffeur
taking her?
She glanced from the window and
uttered an almost hysterical cry.
They had turned into the elm avenue
which led to Ferncliff, and now the
long, low front Of the closely suffered
house confronted her.
They drew up under the wide porte
cochere, and she saw the grave face
of old Angus, the butler, peering down
from the gloom of the doorway. With
a little sch she alighted and was stand
ing beside Angus before the chauffeur
descended from his seat.
Alicia was frightened and Devil
dered. In her agitation she could think
of nothing. The old butler greeted her
with a puzzled glance, stepped aside,
bowling low, and she entered the door
and walked into the library.
e MIR. Osmond IS not at home, Is hep
she asked, with a frightened look at
the old servitOr.
/ NO, madam"
But you are keeping the house
openY she asked, wondering mean
time how she could explain her ar
rival.
MIR. Osmond," replied the butler, cor
dered us to keep the house In readi-
ness. He thought he might be home
any time, suppose"
Alicia's eyes were bright with tears
THAT is all You may go now, An
gus" she said kindly.
When she was alone she laid her
head on the broad arm of the huge
leather covered chair beside her own.
| II uuu Dttu ANOlllull lbNOlllC SSil
and the very touch Of 1t seemed to
bring him nearer to her. She was
crying again when the soft closing Of
the door caused her to lift her head.
She sprang to her feet and confront
ed the muttled figure of the chauffeur
who had so strangely driven her down
to Ferncliff
Before she could dash away her tears
the man had removed his cap and Cog
giles and flung aside his coat. She saw
before her the haggard face and mis-
cradle eyes Of her husband
Norman she whispered family.
you"
81 want you" he said deliberately,
standing with tightly folded arms-"I
want you, Alicia. l cannot live with
out you. You belong to me-"
81 am 50 glad" she breathed softly.
81 have wanted you. Norman, it has
been such horrible mistake all
around, and l have been so unhappy"
$50 have IT, he said briefly as he
took her in his arms. THE next time
we disagree over any matter it will be
a case for arbitratiOn-eh, darling
Not the bitter punishment of separa-
ton"
When Alicia had sObbed herself into
peace she asked for an explanation,
"Where did you come from, and where
is the Purple Comet? And everything
is so mixed up today"
81 have been watching and-wait-
ing" said Norman, blushing a little. II
felt sure darling, that you did not
hate me. This morning | drove Bar
bara to town in her new purple car
the one outside, a duplicate Of the
Purple Comet. When you came out of
the shop your own man had gone
around the block. You walked deliber-
ately into the Chapin's machine, and I
couldn't resist the temptation to run
away with you"
And Barbara Chapin-what will she
think about her carr" asked Alicia
wonderingly.
"She is probably still trying on bon
nets, or perhaps she has annexed the
Purple Comet and gone home"
Norman OsmOnd, did you bride Ste
vens to drive around the block?" de-
handed Alicia. looking into her hus-
bands happy eyes.
Osmond laughed happily. 81 will
confess that the immaculate Stevens is
not above corruption" he admitted.
You will stay with me, Alicia:" he
asked again after long while.
Dear, never want to go away. l
would rather be with you than any
where else in the world" she said bro
kenly.
Then 1t will be all right with us
after this" he said. LET us light a
hearth fire, Alicia. We must never let
1t go out again"