Litchfield enquirer., 1861-08-08
4flisfeIlal,D.
FRED LANRENCE'S ADVENTURE.
BY MISS SARAH M. HOWE.

BY MISS SARAH M. HOWE.
 Lucy," said merry Kate Myrtle, addressing her cousin Lucy Lawrence, where do you think Fred has spent his evenings for some time past?"
 The lady addressed looked up somewhat sur prised at Kates question, but in moment an- swered:
 "In his own room, boring over those old vol tunes of ancient history"
 "You are much mistaken, Miss Lucy,' replied Kate, her merry eyes sparkling mischievous hu- nor; he would not be studying those musty. fusty old books while there is SO pretty young lady as the widow Marston's daughter in the vil- lager'
 "What has Fred to do with Anne Marston 2" asked Lucy, as she endeavored to read the very puzzling expression that rested upon her cous. in's good-humored face. It was some moments before she received an answer to her question, when Kate, with a light laugh, replied:
 "Why, cousin, he's in love with her!'
 "In love with Anne Marston? don't be- lieve it," exlaimed Lucy in tone of surprise and curiosity.
 "Well, I'll you something, and then you may believe it or not just as you please" returned Kate, with serio- -comical air, as she raised her eyes and fixed them intently on Lucys face. Night before last, it was rather late when we retired, you recollect, and was suffering with severe headache. You were soon asleep, but was unable to rest from pain, and with the hope that the night air would cool my burning brow, l left the house by the back window, and walk ed down the garden path. By some means chanced to turn my eyes in the direction of the widow Marston's dwelling, and as the moon were two figures standing upon the steps, One was sure, was Anne, and the other young gentleman, as I supposed, was sure I didn't know. They stood upon the steps for several moments when Anne entered the house, and her companion, whom 1 thought looked wonder fully like Fred, walked down the street. As he came nearer, was sure it was no one but Fred Lawrence He entered the garden, and as concealed myself behind the rose-bushes, he did not observe me. He cautiously approached the window from which had made my own egress, opened it, stepped in, then closed it. From some unaccountable cause my headache had en- tirely left me, and in few moments more l re- turned to the house. knew that the person l had seen on the steps with Anne, was your brother Fred, and no one else, and was quite sure, also that the old volumes of history hadn been disturbed that evening""
 "And do you really believe Fred spends his evenings with Anne Marston 2" asked Lucy.
 Certainly do. Last night watched him as ne left the room after ten, and saw that he slipped out, and was in few moments at the %loow Marston's. It was nearly midnight when ne returned, for heard the window open and snut lew moments before the clock struck that o. What l motive could he have in being so se-
 He knows we should be continuallv teazinc him respecting Anne, and doubtless prefers to keep it secret from our knowledge"
 "There can be no other reason, :" returned In cy laughing in spite of herself, at the novel man. ner in which Rates headache had been cured.
 "We must punish Fred for doing so, Lucy,' said Kate, as her cousin seemed to comprehend the affair, and I think we can prevent him from staying so late with Anne, wasting lights and fire for nothing,' as old uncle Joe would |say."
 "How do you think we can punish him SC were enough to keep him at home?"
 "I do not think we can prevent him iron visiting Anne, but we can, I think, prevent hin from staying later than ten in the evening in . deed, l am quite sure we can."
 "How?"
 Kate bent her head and whispered for a few moments in the ear of her cousin, and after {