Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-04-22
ST. MARTINS
SUMMER
And the Romance 1t Warmed
Into Happy Realization.
ny VIRGINIA |. wENrz.

II was that most gracious season OF
al the year perhaps-St. Martins
summer-when the spirit of ripeness
which seems to have ned once more
holds the land with fits intoxicating
breath. The fields were studded with
tiny Michaelmas daisies. and the
hedgerows were brilliant with early
goldenrod. but somehow you fancied
you smelled the scent OF the roses and
mignonette as well.
There was quite a group of people
out on the small, hotel veranda, and
most Of them were gossiping. Spin
ming up the poplar shaded country
road was smart little trap. Across
the tennis courts the occupants were
plainly visible. They were james
Walsh and Mrs. John Burgess.
II say. girls" cried one OF the group
on the veranda. "it's a crying shame
to let that elderly person cut us out
with the richest man we have up here
crying shame, that's what II Is. And
l don't think any OF us has an atom
OF grit or go or we'd take the wind
out OF Mrs. Burgess sailsv'
"Why. she must be all Of hum
dred!" exclaimed another.
They say that Mr.. Walsh knew her
years ago. Wonder where he picked
her up. In the ark. guess"
"Oh. my dear. long before that"
drawled another mockingly. Long
before Noah's time women had ceased
to do their hair In that absurd fash
ion."
Then the quiet girl with the en-
broidery on her lap spoke softly:
"She has lot Of hair anyhow. and
It's beautiful. and the way she dresses
1t suits her features. She reminds me
OF Albert Durer's Madonna"
Who's that. Miss TysonT" inter.
rupted young fellow in tennis dan,
nels. suddenly appearing In the door
way. who's like Durcrs Madonna p .
I'VE were speaking Of Mrs. Burgess
answered Miss Tyson without even
looking up from her embroidery.
madonna 2 Folderol!" cried the
other girls 10 concert. .'She's a plain.
quiet poke Of a woman and design.
ing one at that. She's encouraging
him fearfully."
L n
Billy. the Young chap in 6annels. I'VE
get only one or two big matrimonial
! catches season up here. It's waste
of time nowadays to listen to the i'm.
pecunious ardors of early youth. Con.
sequently"-
] Billy's words were ambiguous
enough, but the comprehensive little
sweep which he made with his glance
and sun Drowned hand. including ve-
randa. girls and all. was inimita bly,
droli. Miss Ty, On's gray eyes laughed
appreciatively.
They were such nice understanding
gray eyes, thought Billy. Twas a
shame that embroidery should engross
30 much Of their attention. Even now
she showed signs of taking IL up again
and to avoid stlch catastrophe Billy
proposed game OF tennis.
"All right" said Miss Tyson cheer
fully. folding the bit of linen about the
tiny hoop and slowing It away In a
tiny bag.
The fancied likeness between Mrs
John Burgess and the Madonna" OF
Durer was not without some basis
There was. indeed. similarity In the
weary features, more interesting than
beautiful, and in the dolorous. some
what constrained grace of the stately
| figure.
Mrs. Burgess was woman of forty
| FIVE. Her manner, her aspect. was that
Of one who had long since ceased
| wishing to attract. In point of fact.
the wish had never been pronounced.
Since her husbands DEATH which had
occurred ten years previously. she had
never worn color. Ii is TO be sup.
posed that Mr.. Burgess had loved her
| His had been her first and only offer
OF marriage. hut In her girlhood her
heart had been given TO another.
Most people who knew Mrs. John
Burgess thought OF her as the mother
| of her children. She had a son In the
west who was making great ventures
In cattle and horses. and she had
married daughter In Paris who was
writing her constantly OF her social tri
umphs and prosperity. Yes. her chill
dren were full of their own plans and
projects, and once or twice lately Mrs.
Burgess had been bit surprised to
uuu hcrSGiA tetIuB u Httio iOucly anu
forgotten--a chill presage of the au-
tumn winds of life. Her summer. In
deed. had flown.
Then. just at hesSorrect psychologi-
cal moment, he came-the man to
whom az girl she had given her heart.
All. where were the chill autumn
winds nowf 1t was st. Martins sum-
mer instead.
James Walsh was middle aged.
portly. rich man and widower. He
had married somewhat early In bis ca.
reer noted beauty. fortnight OF
wedlock had convinced him that he
and his bride had not single taste
In common. but. being a businesslike
man. on his return from his tour de
uoce he'd sized up the matter in this
practical fashion:
Twas the pink chiffon dress at the
Van buyers bali which was RESPONSE.
BILE. Only why wasn't it, But the
why wasn't It" In this case hadn't
worn pink chiffon dress. nor had she
been at the Van buyers ball.
Mr. Walsh had been widower now