Litchfield enquirer., 1861-02-07
had gone, and the rich girl went back to her sumptuous home with heavy heart. .as..
CHAPTER II.

sumptuous home gwith heavy heart. 1 CHAPTER II.
 Mnnette Hawley stood in her dressing room, nervoasly tapping the floor with her foot She is taller now, more womanly in her looks, and more beautiful than ever before. By her side, sat basket filled with flowers, and upon the ta- ble lay white satin robe, covered with thin tis- sue lace, looped up with pink and green flowers evidently intended for the ensuing evening" She stood there waiting for something, but at last losing all patience, she gave the bell vio- lent jerk, and almost immediately pale young girl entered.
 Nellie, I thought you would never come. It is nearly time for the guests to be here, is it not?"
 "It is only seven, Miss Minnette. I should have been here before, but went to gather some of these flowers for yourHA See!' and she held up her before her some exquisite moss rose buds.
 "You were very kind to think of those; but now quick, or I shall be late.'
 Nimble hands made light work, and in little while the finishing touch had been giveA and ] Nellie stepped back with this fattering exclama- tion, :" You look like an angel Miss Minnette P
 An hour afterward and she was the centre of a group of admiring friends But all the evening while she was talking 50 galy to those who sur rounded her. her thoughts were far away and she was wondering if the Carl Eldridge of other days was yet alive. I fancy her rroud father would not have been so very we'll pleased had he read her thoughts but he could not and lie was satisfied to see such honors lavished upon his darling child. It was her first emtec into socie- ty, and she attracted much attention. Possess ing rare accomplishments. much beauty, and pure, unspotted heart. it was no wonder that many proud heart should bow to hers and sue her favor, while many others worshpped in the distance; but as yet her heart had bowed to none.
 In one year from the time of her first party, Minnette Hawley passed slowly down the marble steps of what had been her princely home. 8 renniless orphan. When she reached the gate she turned and cast one long, lingering look up on the place where she had known so much of Ijoy and sorrow, and then, picking a flower from her favorite rose bush, she closed the gate after her, and bade adieu to wealth and luxury. When next We see her she is ma::y miles away from her native place, taking charge of a small district school. The gossipping villagers sur missed many wonderful stories about the early life of the pae young lady who had won the affections of all their children; but they never guessed the truth. They thought she must have ; known much of sorrow, for her face never lost its sad expression; and though they would have been glad to have approached nearer, and given , her their sympathy, they could not, for she re- pelled all their advances. But it was done in such gentle way that they could not be ctien dad. Slowly the months succeed each other un- til two years had passed away, and Minnette was still in the little village of Eln,ville. She had grown to be more cuntented with her iut, and had almcst ceased to hope for any change. | Clten Ter thoughts went back to the days when she liphthearted girl. and when her greatest pleasure had been to confer some favor apon Carl Edr;dge but s!ie never allowed her self to think of ever seeing him again; for she deemed that as almost an impossihllity.
 Onc hot summers afternoon she dismissed her pupils little earlier than usual, and as the last face disappeared from the yard, she shut the school-room door, and weary and dosrondiTg, seated herself at the desk. The sun sank behind the hills. yet she still fingered. It was growing rather Gusky in the room, when light rap came upon tie door, She opened it, and there stood before her a tail. fine looking gentleman.
 Miss Haw!ey, believc.
 Iou are right, sir, but l do not recognize you'
 "l'robably not. for it is years since we have met"
 There was nothing in his voice familiar. and yet something made her think of Carl Eldrdge. She pushed open the door wider, and looked searchingiy into his face
 Sail, Is IL SdIl
 "The same, Minnette. Do you remember this ?" and he took long, golden curl from his bosom.
 Her eyes were fnli Of tears and she did rot refuse when he stopped down and pressed kiss upon her lips.
 The shadows were no longer visible when Carl and Minnette left the old building and wended their way to her boarding place. She looked happier than she had for many day. She in troduced Carl early friend of hers ;but the honest-hearted people quickly surmised that he was something more than friend. There was general lamentaton in the village when they learned that Miss Hawley was going to leave them; for they had become much attached to the pale, quiet girl; but when Madame Gossip , reported that the young man was wealthy law yer, and was going to take her away to grace his home. they were more reconciled to the idea, for they thought she would be happier than with , them.
 They were married and then much to the as tonishinent and joy of Mnnette, he took her to her old home, which he had purchased and there they now reside:
 Mir. Thornton had been dead some years and Carl, in the rich enjoyment of the present has almost forgotten the grievances of his early days P. T. BARNvM soLD AT LAsT-The New