Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-10-21

hnG Imperative.
This time. the agent was young
man, tall and good looking. muttled TO
he ears In a thick warm ulster, while
a fur cap that rested on his dark head
was whipped of as Darina opened the
door. He did not carry q bag nor a
bundle, but Darina did not doubt that
somewhere concealed about his person
was capacious pocket that would
hold innumerable samples of something
salable--probably subscription books
"Good morning." he said pleasantly
and in a very businesslike manner,
lis Miss Charity Decker at homer"
NO." she said coldly.
"Ah," he said In disappointed tone.
Then, unbuttonlng his coat. he thrust
a gloved hand into an inner pocket
81 wonder II you he was beginning
when Darina interrupted him coolly.
I'VE don't wish TO buy dictionary.
thank you"
His hand dropped to his side, and he
flushed redly. II beg your pardon
he was beginning when Darina's voice,
n little sharper this time. brought fire
to his brown eyes.
"Or a history of the world or rem.
iniscences of anybody" said Darina
heartlessly.
Pm not canvassing for books" he
said grlmly.
"Nor patent mousetrap or carpet
beaten or fancy note paper" continued
Darina recklessly. We've got fold.
; ing sewing table that turns into a
chair
DO l look as If had folding
sewing table concealed about me-" he
demanded scornfully, yet with smile
back of the glitter in his eyes
We've got bread mixer and pat
ent washer and freezer
pray spare me the inventory Of
your household goods" he said cut
tingly. 81 may as well tell you MS
rapidly as can that
"And we don't, want TO purchase
any fruit trees or shrubs this year"
ended Darina breathlessIy and rather
frightened at her own lack of cuur
tesy.
"All of which is very interesting,
madam; but, as a matter of fact. MIR.
Joseph Decker of, Greenvile asked
me to stop here for his sister, Miss
Charity, and drive her over TO his
place. There! That's why l'm hereF
he calculated, in a relieved tone.
| Darina's foury little hands few up
/ to her reddening cheeks. "Oh. ! am
so sorryl What have ! said2" abe fal
tered. my aunt went to Greenville
| by traip1-She left about an hour ago
in the station stage"
"Then i may as well drive along"
he said. replacing his cap and turning
away, his glance lingering in a trou.
bled way ON Darina's sweet, fearful
face. "You mustn't disturb yourself
over that. Kou see, ] was so slow
about explaining who was that no
wonder you thought l was canvass
er of some sort. l suppose you're both.
cred to death with them"
1--WE are" said Darina feryently, and
| In few words she told him of Aunt
| Charity's last admonition and also Of
her experience that morning. 81 think
the brush man scattered my last atom
of patience" she explained.
~ don't WONDER" he consoied her,
II believe the same fellow called at
the parsonage the other day and
1.-THE parsonager' echoed Darina.
"Then you must be Mr.. Fleck. The
new minister at Greenviile."-
1T am" he smiled, barring his head
again. II believe there is some sort
of donation party going on for me
tonight, and my sister, who keeps
house for me. advised me to keep out
of the way. That is how happened to
call for Miss Decker"
at was very kind of you. indeed, and
am ashamed of the reception l gave
you" said Darina. Just as he was
passing through the gate to enter the
little cutter that awaited him Darina
| remembered the red mark on the gate.
post. Perhaps Mr.. Flick could reas'
sure her as to its meaning. She recol'
lected hearing Miss Charity say that
he had been missionary.
Instantly she was In the gateway
explaining her fears. The minister
looked at the rude character closely,
thought for a moment, and then a.
smile broke over tiisaface, II was
connected with mission In Syria for
year. and learned something Of the
language. This merely says 1t is the
house of avarice and merchants will
do well to pass II by. 1t is too bad
that 1t is not written In. plain English
SO all your obnoxious agents might be
discouraged
Darina watched him drive away
over the sparkling' crust Of snow, con
scious that her heart had thrilled
strangely at the clear. compelling
glance of. his brown eyes. /. She went
back to her baking quite. cured OF hei
III humor and humming softly under
her breath. t.si
The next day when Miss Charity re
turned home and had evolved from hefl
voluminous wrappings into a very|
small thin old lady she related with
much. animation the events of ths|
evening before. AZ ~
IA "It was the incest donation party
ever went to, Darina. and like thai
young minister Why. the FIRST thing
I'd got there he singled me out and
told me about coming here and asked
all sorts of questions about MS. Hesl
coming to call, and say it's verII
kind and attentive, because TittsI
| live fo 30 v-foh rhnvre /