Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-11-20

tbGs LO0 otCs hC CARthAhCtAt nave -
lawn. and II he'll eat the grass for me
1t will save cutting it"
Madge thanked him and iavited
him to stay for supper. In view of the
fact that he had furnished the supper
she could not well do otherwise. even
had she so desired. which most emphat-
Lcally she did not.
He looked at Cicely good deal while
they ate-Cicely was very good to look
upon-but his conversation was ad-
dressed for the most part to Madge.
AS a matter of fact. 1t had to be
that way. Cicely's accumulated woes
pressed SO heavily upon her that she
was utterly incapable Of anything be-
yond an occasional subdued Yes" and
mo"
Madge, however, chatted gayly. To
her mind the situation was decidedly
tolerable and growing more so every
minute. And when next she looked
upon the bleak vista of rocks that
made up the immediate landscape she
found it almost attractive.
1.-THE only hope" observed Madge.
has come home again"
Cicely Joined her in the doorway.
"And he's thinner than ever" she de-
clared pessiniistically.
Then Mr. Ellwood came into view.
He was doing an elaborate imitation
of a man who has been running fast
HE got loose" he painted. And
I've been following
eyes," Madge broke In genially. 81
know you have. I've been watching
you down the road for the last Eve
minutes" She waved hand toward
the mule. st never In all my life." she
said, saw anybody so reluctant to
take advantage of a handicap. How
ON earth did you induce him to get
here frstr'
Mr.. Ellwood had the grace to blush.
Tits a very warm day." he STAN
mered, tactfully trying to shift the
conversation to a safe topic of general
interest.
"It is" Madge agreed. "And don't
believe so much exercise is good for
the mule. Besides, 1t will take a lot
of your time to lead him home with
you every night and dri-follow him
back here every morning. Why don't
you bring his meals to himT
Every day?" inquired Mr.. Ellwood
hopefully.
"Well. ], really think he ought to be
fed every day, but I'll leave that to
you"
Cicely, who wondered miserably at
her friends high spirits, had retired
into the other room. hopping her eyes.
"She doesn't like It," Madge observed
confidentially to MT. Ellwood.
"And no WONDER" he rejoined SYM
pathetfcally. You're going to stay"
he added
1--WE must" said Madge. "for we've
no money to get away on. And any
way" she added after a moments
pause. 81 believe 1t isn't going to be
half bad"
"If l can help it." said Mr.. Ellwood
heartily. "it's not"
He was as good as his word and
better. For Cicely he brought a ham,
mock and flowers in pots and many
her life more tolerable. He treated
her as might an elder brother a low
able but incapable sister.
But Madge was his comrade and
friend. She had assumed the burdens
Cicely was incapable Of bearing, and
he very naturally thought her the own
er of the farm. He liked her pluck
that wrested her hardly won garden
from the rocky soil and her sturdy in
dependence that always returned favor
for favor. His own little place took
en- an added value because she had
approved it. He gave the house a
new coat of paint and planned when
the crops should have been harvested
to build a bigger porch. And he
evolved little conveniences for the
kitchen. shelves and closets and a four
bin. things Of which his masculine
housekeeping had not felt the need. He
whistled as he worked. and before him
there was ever girls face. a laugh
ing face growing daily roster and more
sunburned-and happier.
'The only hope" observed Cicely
complacently. sis certainly growing
fat. II we could sell him by the pound
as they do beef on the hoof.' think
they call 1t. we'd get quite lot for
him"
Hes too fat" Madge objected. HE
looks stuffed. ] think you feed him
too much. Cicely. II Mr.. Ellwood were
at home I'd ask him to take look at
him. I'm quite certain his eyes ought
not to have that CLASSY STARE
Later In the day the only hope sue
cumbed.
81 don't really blame him for dying"
said Cicely, who was weeping over the
remains. 81 suppose he was just nat
urally tired and discouraged and didn't
care whether he lived or died-Ive felt
that-way myself-but do think 1t was
most inconsiderate Of him."
"He might at least" said Madge.
have gone or and done 1t somewhere
else. Then we could have pretended
he wasn't ours. As 1t Is. wen have to
bury him, and how on earth we're ever
going to dig hole big enough to held
him I'm sure l don't know"
Wen leave It to Mr.. Ellwood."
Cicely suggested. 1--WE can wait till
he gets back"
81 suppose we can" said Madge. but
there are reasons why the only hope
cannot I'm going to the village to