Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-11-12


is so full OF pretty girls, and his eyes
were blue and daring. his shoulders
broad, and he was gay and debonair.
She had reached the mature age of
twenty-five on a gray day in Novem-
Der. and the girl and her companion
paced aimlessly up and down the
platform of the little Scottish railway
station. waiting for the southbound
train.
A handsome young man who had
been taking a turn up and down the
opposite platform, waiting apparently
for train to the north. glanced across
at the people who, like himself, paced
back and forth impatiently. As his
eyes fell upon the tall, graceful girl
with face like brilliant flower. he
paused in establishment. Then a wave
Of warmth and excitement surged over
him and he dashed across the tracks
and advanced with boyish eagerness
toward her.
1t was pretty bit of comedy spar
king with pleasure. surprise, eager
ness. Then the big black engine swept
down upon them with wild, trium-
plant shrek as much as to say: mo
more of this nonsense. Come with me
to London. young lady" And In the
midst of their excited greetings they
were obliged to part.
"Not married?" she laughed as he
stood at the door of the compartment.
mo; I'm waiting for the lady fair"
he answered gayly. And you"
"Waiting for the gentleman dark"
she replied archly.
Then the guard called "All aboard"
! and as she waved her hand In gay
farewell the train pulled out of the
station.
The world seemed suddenly fat to
him. "And | didn't get her London
address, he exclaimed aloud as his
stupidity dawned upon him. "Well, III
be hangedP'
Two years later the servants at Fair
acre received notice from their young
mistress of her intention of opening
the house for few weeks. The old
place had been closed since her early
childhood.
She had Travelled far and wide, been
courted and admired. But after awhile
one got tired-so tired. In the very
midst of the season, when gayety was
at Its height. thoughts of the dear old
days haunted her mind. They were
gone forever. those wonderful childish
days. but at least she would go back
10 ~ aIl
to herself.
Tears rose in her eyes as she was
driven up to her own door. How well
she remembered the quaint supporting
pillars and the broad verahda! The
sun was just dropping out Of sight,
but its faint golden glow fingered low
ingly on the place. In the darkness of
her old room that night she thought
with wet eyes of the little girl Of other
days.
At 8 o'clock the next morning she
stole down TO the stone fence once
more, smiling foolishly to herself as
she did So There was no need to hide;
the boy would not go by. And SO she
leaned upon the wall. thinking pen
sively of the past.
A weird buzzing aroused her, and
she looked up to SEE big red touring
car spinning down the road toward
her. For moment she watched 1t In
differently. Then as 1t drew nearer
and the outlines Of its occupant be-
came clear her heart jumped with de-
light
TITS he: it really isp' she exclaimed
excitedly.
At the same moment the automobile
slackened speed, and the man inside
lifted his hat with flourish and sang
out joyously: "Hello, little girl! What
you staring at?" AS of yore, she drop
ped suddenly down out of sight.
But isn't 1t strange that you should
happen along this very first morning
that I'm homer" she queried when.
their nonsense over. they stood talk
ing across the wall.
"Well, not so odd as It would have
been IL had not known you were COM
Ing" he admitted laughingly. Then a
queer look came into his eyes.
'Why haven't you married p he de-
manded abruptly. She opened her lips
to reply, but something in his face ar
rested her. She flushed furiously. He
laid his hand on hers.
Haven't we been pair of idiots"
he asked. with happy laugh.
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