Litchfield enquirer., 1860-02-23

hiding place, and they unfold their leave. and raise their modest heads to the light {, day-all their beauty, all their fragrance gone, and the unfolded petals only disclos the hollowness within. a
 So it was with the character and tempe of Walter Collins. While he was poor an neglected, he was humble, and, when he ha nothing to give. he was good-natured; bu no sooner had the sun of prosperity shon upon him than he became proud and hard hearted.
 This change, however, did not show itse1 all at once; it came on by degrees, and tn warm-hearted Robin and bis gentle wifi were little inclined to think ili of their ol, friend. ,.a a ~5 t...af .....-t ... r.Q
 The neighbors were on the most intimat terms; the gentlemen hunted, and fished. an, dined together; and the ladies walked. an, worked, and talked together; on the whole things went on pleasantly enough for Q time Robin, it is true, felt vexed sometimes tha Walter seemed to take so little interest ii his plans for promoting the comfort and i'm provement of his poorer neighbors; and Al ice would have been glad, if Mary had no been always poorly or busy, when she asked her to accompany her in her visits to tn, abodes of suffering and want.
 At length the fatal pride and envy, whiel were gradually gaining possession of Wal ter's heart, began to show themselves ir many ways. Whatever the Maynards had the Colinses were never satisfied till they could procure something better and more costly. Nor was this all; though Waite, did not in direct terms betray Robins SC. cret, yet he was so desirous of degrading hin in the eyes of their mutual friends, that he was continually letting fall mysterious hints concerning his former. life. so that an idea by degrees prevailed. that there was somethimg not right about the Maynards. and they found themselves looked upon with all eye of suspicion and distrust.
 All this was source of deep grief and anxiety to Robin and Alice. At first they endeavored by kindness and good offices to win back their friend; but the more they tried to conciliate him, the more insolent snd overbearing he became. ...~
 By degrees somewhat of this bad spirit began to communicate itself to Robin, and though still far more sinned against than sin ,iug, yet he wns not entirely free from blame. The constant indulgence of this envious 'ri- 7alry between the poor families was also 6 ,eavy tax upon Robins purse; and he found very month that he cold spare less and less Q his poor pensioners.
 CHAPTER VIII.
 Things were in this state, and the. year vas drawing to . close, when Robin and Alice received an invitation to grand enter ainment which Walter was about to give n honor of the christening Of his first son. Alice was prevented. by slight indisposi- ion, from being of the party; and, indeed, he YaA not sarrz Gnr the excHa.rtte vors.;.. amily had become a.ythiag but pleasant to Ter.
 As Robin bade his wife farewell, she beg red him not to forget to return before twelve; for remember;;" said she, tonight your hird request is to be made" Robin sighed IS he thought how much happier and better ,e had been year before. and he said al- most suIlenly, Il shall ask nothing more"
 When Robin arrived at El6n Lodge, he ound preparations on a most magnificent cale for splendid banquet. His host re- ;eived him in the presence of the other ,nests with condcscending air, and then Utterly neglected him. Well would it have 'een for both had he continued to do SO; but liter dinner, when the ladies had retired, md Walter had, in some degree. become ,eated with the wine which was circulating freely, he seemed to delight in making Rob- n the object of his insolent sarcasms; sheer succeeded sheer, and one insulting jest was followed by another. Robih's generous for was attributed to cowardice, and only served to rmbitter Walters uulnsnly attacks upon his chasacter and conduct. At ength. when some coarse personality, direct ,d against Robin, had drawn upon him the ridicule of the new half-intoxicated guests, he leaned across the corner of the table which separated him from Collins, and said in an under tone, Do not carry this too far, Walter, or you may repent it.''
 Walter started from his seat, pale with rage; and. pointing with his outstretched inger to Robin, he exclaimed. Listen, my friends; this base-born scoundrel threatens me! he tells me l shall repent. Look at him; and I will tell you srho he is, who dares to insult gentleman in his own house! He is foundling brat, brought up to the trade of a cobbler, and rescued from starvation by 8 godfather"
 A smile of contempt passed from one guest to another, and they looked as much as to say--"I thought sol" .--.
 But they had no time for comments. Rob in, who was now as much beside himself witt passion as his enemy, had also risen from hi. seat, and, with his eyes flashing aud lip' quivering, he cried" Coward I do moi hurl thee from thy pinnacle of pride, ant crust, thee in the dust, because have sweet CT vengeance in store. 1Hink of me to-mer ro,0 :" Saying this he strode from th' apartment. .-.,- ..-..--
 Walter concealed his inward trepidatiol under smile of de,ision and. turning t an attendant, ordered him to see that mal safe out of the premises"
 Robin walked rapidly home with "s fir in his heart, and fire in his brain." H. arrived at bis own house just as the hour o twelve was sounding from the clock of tn village church. All was calm and peaceful around the soft moou-beams played owe the ivy-clad tower and glittered on tn white graves below but Robin needed i rot ; on he rushed with frantic steps, and a length he reached the vaplted chamber. Tn fairy was already there. Robin paused no to observe the dim light of the starry bell or the mournfiI expression of his visitor countenaace bat, with . voice hardly al ticulate from passion, he exclaimed ds