Litchfield enquirer., 1860-03-08
STORY OF A GARTER.
BY QUEEN sABE :?

l BY QUEEN sABE?
 Just at four o'clock one dazzling afternoon last February, two young persons, opposite genders, took sudden possession of neat sleigh, muff1ed themselves together in man. ner intended to secure, as far as possible, the double advantage of comforting protection and engaging appearance, and, after judicious settlement of skirts and robes on the one hand, and hat and furs on the other, darted swiftly of. along the smooth and shining roads of Winston. Clear and still, and not at all chilling, was the atmosphere. The sun shed ali its splendor from cloudless sky and the spotless earth radiantly reflected it's glitter ing beams. The two sleighers with whom we have to do, agreed, without debate, that no other day so favorable for their excur- l sion could have been selected, and in return went into spasms of rhetorical excitement over the glories of winter-in' its present cheering aspect.
 1 Not having accustomed themselves to the asslduous study of nature, they failed to ex- actly interpret certain omens which might 1 otherwise have interfered with their innocent enthusiasm. Of course neither had noticed, the night before, the broad circle of lumin- ous haze that surrounded the moon, giving warning of approaching disorder above Of course neither considered, as they dashed along, needing only their own pleasant fan cies the light clouds which rapidly rising soon overspread the southern heaven, and gradu- ally threatened to obscure the declining sun. What need had they to anticipate the possi- ble interruption of their sport? None, cer- tainly Their aim was pleasure.
 Lucy Brandon, nineteen, daintily beauti- fnl, and coquettish by unconquerable femin- inc instinct, filled the hearts of the youth of Winston, and, above all. those hearts gath cred within the institution for the wholesale manufacture of clergymen for which Win ston is celebrated, with fine frenzies.
 The secular youth swore she was an angel The students, whose destiny was theological did not swear but. after Investigating the subject and finding that angels were some times imperfect and fallibIe, proclaimed her divine, and in their prisons remembered her.
 In this way they satisfied the conditions of their college life Inside the walls they were divinity students: outside they were students of divinity.
  Lucy's highest attributes were in fact of mortal order. She was not bit of an an- gel; but she was what was much better for the purposes of this world charming girl, with beauty enough to wind golden chains around susceptible young hearts and wit enongh to fasten them with glittering clasps, whenever she chose At the same time, she was as amiable as could fairly be expected of a spirited woman who ruled subservient seminary with rod more rigid than any of the professors could wield; she was, with all her frolicsome coquetry, as discreet as dowa- ger and she was not destitute of good sense, powerful proof of which was that she never wrote her name Lrcie Nevertheless, it is a melancholy truth that many of the maidens of Winston consistently refused to recognize those infatuating qualities which by the ru- der creatures were unanimously accorded her.
 After a considerable period of supreme sway Miss Brandon at length sighed, Alex anderwise, for something new to conquer.
 She fell in with Mr. Henry (se christened, but popularly denominated Harry) Lang ford, a fine young fellow with no theological aspirations, who had come up to Winston to look after some long neglected relations. Clever and we'll dressed and with heavenly curl to his hair, he interested Miss Brandon, who forthwith smiled upon him, and bated her Irritation hooks with most delicate fasci- nations. With shade of surprise, she ob served that her intended victim succeeded in reaping the full benefit of the baits, and yet refused to be caught. Upon this, she became shy, and he commenced promiscuous as sanlt upon the affections of every available young woman he encountered. As soon as it was evident that they understood each other, they began to laugh. Consultation followed. From laughing at one another, they turned to laughing at Miss Brandon's troop of supplant admirers. am sorry to say that the young lady betrayed confidence. She told him how one especially devout ador- CT was continually quoting Scriptural puf's to her; and how another, of chronological turn Of mind, would insist on comparing her to new and exquisite specimens of bugs. Then he told her, quite malciously, how pre- carious her rule was, and cruelty likened her position to that of keeper in lunatic asy- lum, wLose strength lies in his confidence that his subordinates, having lost their wits, possess no power of combination among them selves to defeat his plans. Occasionally Miss Brandon was little tart; sometimes Mr. Langford was little rude; but they usual ly kept within amicable bounds and were understood to be excellent friends-nothing more. -s- .... E...... Not one of Miss Lucy's deyotees ever thought it worth while to look upon Harry Langford with eyes of green indignation He was in no degree rapturous about her; she often snubbed him. An infnitesimal quarrel between them had once been detected. Be- sides, he was not resident, only visitor, whose opportunities were thus limited Moreover it is a fact that no two persons were more profoundly convinced to their ab- solute indifference to one another than Miss Brandon and Mr. Langford themselves.
 They had given much private thought to the subject (there was the dangerD aud had satisfied themselves that they were, as every body understood, excellent friends-nothing more.
 Nevertheless it happened that Mr. Lang ford was suddenly overcome by sense of shame at his want of family feeling in so long neglecting his Winston relations. So he en- deavored to repair old errors by frequent visits, and established an extensive acquaint- ance in the neighborhood. He grew fond of social gayeties. He cultivated all Winston. At every important gathering he was made welcome. et