Litchfield enquirer., 1860-02-23

ice proceeded to examine their newly-ac qured possessions Whilst Alice was wan
 derIng from room to room, admirine on,
 thing, and trying to discover the use of au
 other, amongst the costly and elegant luxu
 ries with which she vas surrounded, and be slowing due praise upon all the household arrangements Robin visited the stable, triet
 the horses. and explored his delightful gar dens and pleasure grounds, from one end tt tho other. CHAPTER VI.
 Time passed on Robin and Alice be came, by degrees, accustomed to their new way of life, but it did not lose its pleasures though it lost some of its novelty. Amongst the many enjoyments which they derived from their change of circumstances was the possession of books. Of these. al first, they could understand but little but as they read mere, their minds became bet. ter informed, and their desire for knowledge increased and they both enjoyed the long winter evenings, when, whilst Alice sat at her work, Robin read aloud to her some book of amusement or instruction.
 In the course of few weeks they became acquainted with several families who lived in their neighborhood Nor were the poor for gotten they constantly devoted a large portion of their wealth to the relief of the sick and the indigent.
 Respected by the rich. blessed by the poor, the Maynards of Fairy Hill Court," 1" were general favori:es. Months passed on, ard still they were happy and beloved.
 At length the time drew near when the fairy's second visit was to be made, Robins second wish to be heard, and his not vet empty coasrs replenished.
 1t was evening the supper-for in those days supper was the most cheerful and pleas ant meal of the day-the supper had been removed Robin and his wife sat by the bla- zirg fire. Robin had not taken up his book to read as usual. and Alice had allowed her work to drop Iistlss>ly from her hand. Rob in thought of their situation at that time the year before of the anxiety, the cold, the hunger, they had endured, and then he looked around at the comforts of his happy home /; and his heart was full
 Alice, my love, he ut length said, what nre you thinking of? Ton do not look as if you felt as happy as do."
 "Yes, dear Robin. am happy" replied Alice. livery happy"
 Then why do you look so rery serious ?" said Robin, half playfully, and half anxious y. as he passed his arm round her slender waist. and gently drew her towards him.
 " have been thinking" replied Alice, " of one thing in which we have not quite followed the fairy's injunctions."
 What can that be, my love Surely we have been moderate in our desires and consider how much we have given to the nocr-what is wanting yet"
 "Why, will tell you, Robin, what I have been thinking abont it has pressed peaSil F paaR. nyu uts taaindd ndd fr,cum, Walter Col. ins. the carpenter. whom you always liked so much, who helped to nurse yon when you had the fever; and his wife, poor Mary, who took care of my baby. while was too much engaged with your illness to atteLd to it as much ns usual, and it was pining, and l believe would have died, but for her kind ness? :? We'll, during all our prosperity, we have never once thought of them."
 You are right, Alice, we have not done as we would be done by.' But how can we repair our neglect :? Shall we seek them nut, and give them half the contents of our treasure chests next year?"
 "That would be very good plan." re- joined his wife, smiling, but think know R better"
 "Do you :? We'll, let us hear it."
 "Why, you know. dear Robin, this night at twelve o'clock you are to make your sec ond request"
 "I have it r interrupted Robin, "I will ask the fairy to make them as rich as we are, and to bring them here that we may have them for neighbors You know that beautiful house which has been uninhabited ever since we have been here EI6n Lodge it is called how delightful it would be for them to find themselves there some 6Ee morning."
 "Yes, how should like to be invisible in some corner, to enjoy their surprise. "rejoined Alice "and only fancy" she added, laugh ing, "how Walter would stare about him, and then begin to handle all the pretty things with his dirty fingers ! And then, how happy poor Mary would be 1 hope this is not forbidden request.
 Before twelve o'clock, Robin took out his golden key, and hastened to the vaulted chamber.
 Punctual to his promise. the fairy appear ed as the hour sounded. He filled the cof- fers as before, and then Robin made known his wish. The bright zone shone more brightly than ever. and. with an approving smile, he pronounced the welcome words, "'Fis well. thy request is grantedl aud vanished.
 The next morning symptoms of recent arrival were visible at Elfin Lodge. Smoke was seen curling through many chimneys, and servants hurried to and fro. Robin and Alice lost no time in renewing their ac- quaintance with their old friends. They were not at first recognized by Walter ard his wife, but they soon made themselves known. After the expressions of mutual satisfaction at meeting were oyer, Collins eiF deavored to account for the change in his circumstances by pretending that fortune had been left him by distant relative. Rob in felt disappointed in his friend. but he wal
 too generous to inform him of the part he
 had himself taken in occasioning his good
 fortune. ~ Walter was of course anxious to know
 the change in Robins affairs had beer i brought about, and Robin, after exaeting
 promise of secrecy. told him all that bad ta