Litchfield enquirer., 1870-07-07

she refused to share it with him. And, as he spoke. the woman's heart wakened to life, and every word he uttered found its echo there. She knew then that her rev. erence, her admiration, her awe of him, were all second to her love for him. He could read his answer in her eloquent face, an answer that filed him with pure, no. ble happiness, for he was man worthy to win even so grand nature as this would be, to be his own true companion for life.
 You have not asked me yet why must go to England" he said, after a silence had fallen between them. 'a She turned pale to her lips. ''I had forgotten" she whispered. "You said you were going tonight"
 "Yes, if I catch the train passing here at midnight, will just be in timefor the next steamer from New York. My uncle is dead, Hester, and am heir to the Man or. My fair Lady of the Manor, congrat- ulate me-"
 l A loud report at that moment seemed to I shake the earth under their feet.
 "Is that in my honor9" queried the bridegroom elect.
 "Thst is the sunset salute to the day. | UGs then we break up our picnic to return home."
 That reminds me, I had an English sovereign set for brooch, and meant to ask you to pin your rosette with it to-day. Now," and while he spoke he loosened the pretty ribbon badge from her dress, "we will exchange. I will wear your colors, Hester, till we meet again. Will you wear my pin" He pressed the rosette to his lips, and then put the broad gold piece in it's place upon her breast. "Why did come out on horseback? Now, must ride back alone. I will meet you on the road, darliDg."
 It was long ride home, and Hester was very pale and thoughtful, but all things have an end, and the parting followed hel return all too soon. She told her secret to no one, hearing all the wondering com ments about Mr. Ramsay's sudden disap pearance in silence. Cheerfully she kept the steady routine of duty, wondering oft en with a comicsl speculation if many ol the English aristocracy won wives from country farm-houses, and how many ladies of manors could make cakes and milk COWS. Letters came across the wide ocean, but no one wondered, for they were ali un. der cover to the clergyman, MT. Ramsay's only contidant, who made no comment up on them. She was timid about answering them at first, but it soon wore away. | There was an immense amount of busi ness for the new heir. His uncle had left large property and some legacies for his nephew to distribute; his own long ab sence in America had somewhat complies ted affairs, and so month followed month and he could not return.
 It seemed longer than @ year to Hester when July opened once more, and Greys field was busying itself about the annua picnic. Would anybody remember tn, discussions of the past year, she wonder ed? Mande did. and spent many hour aaring the next three days in wondering what had become of MT. Ramsay.
 It was again the morning of the Fourth and the cousins were dressing for the day NO thought of remaining at home crossed Maude's mind now, for she was engaged tc young farmer, whose " national preju dlces' were strongly in favor of fire crack CTS. bell ringing, cannon firing. and bic nlcs on the Fourth of July. So Maud. was radiant in ribbons and flowers Hes ter. looking again at her reflection in tho glass, saw a face more matured than tn, one mirrored there twelve months before not quite so childlike, but wearing 8 cer tain unconscious dignity that had come tc her in the past year. She could not have told herself why her stately figure was carried more sedately, why the graceful head bore itself so proudly erect. It was no thought of the position in prospect, on ly the proud gladness of the thought that she was to be his wife. Erastus Ramsay thought her to be worthy of his love! She l wore a soft white rnnSlin and in her hlack hair she had twisted scarlet ribbons, while at her throat was broad blue bow; but she pinned no rosette to her bosom, laugh lngly answering Maude's comment by tho remark:-
 "1 am huge rosette myself, Maude Don't you see wear the trl-color in my whole dress?"
 Would he come that day? She hoped 1t from the tone of his last letter, but she was not sure. She went to the porch tc see if the usual cavalcade was on its way and then-yes-some distance off yet, but coming swiftly forward, she saw a buggie with but one occupant. She ran away She could not let him see the fearful hap piness of her face, 50 she ran into the par. Tor. shut up and feeling like cellar. But he saw and followed her there. We vii retire, if you please.
 There was some wondering as to wha had become of Hester and the ownership of the stylish buggie before the couple ap peared; but when they came to jola the picnic party, Hester wore upon her bosom a crumpled, faded rosette of red, white and blue ribbons, pinned by an English sovereign, set for brooch. Godey's Lad, Book