Connecticut western news., 1871-08-11
VOL I.

of it. I can smell them. Oh, do let go my handsp
 Harry Clifford deftly seized up the big iron spoon, and stirred the boiling depths 
 "It's all your imagination, Ursulaw
 "No, it's not and If they are the least bit scorched they will spoiled for Aunt Darling"
 The creaking sound of an opening door beyond suddenly dissolved the hte-G-tete. Ursula almost pushed Harry Clifford out of the kitchen.
 "You'll be on the piazza tonight when they have all gone to the concert 2" he persisted in asking through the crack in the door.
 "Yes, yes, any thing-every thing only gom .........
 And Harry went, beginning to realize that love-making and preserving do not assimilate.
 "Your pearl brooch. my dear? Oh, I remember now. I gave it to Harry more than a week ago to have mended. dare say it's done by this time 2" and Dr. Darl- ing turned expectantly to our hero.
 "I-Tm very sorry" began Harry i; "but the brooch disappeared in the most unacountable manner from my vest pocket. I know put it there"
 "Yes," dryly interrupted the elder gen tleman, "I remember seeing you put it there, and you assured me at the tune that you never lost any thing. So the brooch is gone, eh ?"
 "Yes, Sir, it is gone. But Mrs. Darling may rest assured" Harry added, with a glance toward that lady, "that l will re place it at the very earliest opportunity"
 ooh, it is of no consequence at all !" said Mrs. Darling, with countenance that said plainly. It is of the very greatest somewhere about the house."
 But the days slipped by one by one, and the doom of the pearl brooch remained involved in the deepest mystery. Harry Clifford bought another one and presented it to Mrs. Darling, with little compli- mentary speech. Mrs. Darling laughed, and pinned it into the folds of the thread lace barb she wore at her throat.
 "But it's so strange what can have be- come of the otherm said Mrs. Darling.
 It was in the golden month of September that the old doctor and Mrs. Darling made up their minds to invite Miss Bradbury to tea. .s ..... a
 "We'n have pound-cake and preserved blackberries," said Mrs. Darling, who all ways looked at the material side of things.
 " And if Harry don't come to terms now, he never will" added her husband, who didn't. s B.
 "Get out the best china and the chased silver tea-service, Ursula, said Mrs. Darl- ing.
 s'And wear your pink French calico, child it's the most becoming dress you have," said her uncle, with loving glance at the bright little brunette.
 And Ursula Percy obeyed both of their mandates. ....
 Miss Bradbury came-a handsome, showy young lady, with smooth society" man. ner that made Ursula feel herself very countrifed and common indeed.
 Delicious preserves these ]" said Miss Bradbury ..,..... ... .....
 "They are of Ursula's making" said Mrs. Darling. And Harry Clifford passed his plate for second supply.
 "I remember the day they were brewed, or baked, or whatever it is you call it, i" said he, with an arch glance at Ursula.
 Suddenly old Dr. Darling grew purple in the face, and began to cough violently. Every one started up,
 "He's swallowed the spoon" cried Miss Bradbury.
 "Oh, ohm he's got the apoplexy p' screamed Mrs. Darling, hysterically.
 Uncle dearest unclep' piped up poor little Ursula, vaguely catching at glass of water.
 But Dr. Darling recovered without any more disastrous symptoms.
 "1t isn't the spoon, and don't come of an apoplectic family" said he. "But upon my word, this is about the biggest black berry ever came perilously near swallow ingm And he held out his wife's pearl brooch, boiled up in the blackberries
 There was momentary silence around the table; and then it was broken by Mrs. Darling-one of those blessed old ladies who never see an inch beyond their own spectacled noses. -...' ............
 "My goodness gracious !'' said Mrs. Darl- ing; Chow could it ever have come into the preserved blackberries -don't- see-o
 But I dop' said Dr. Darling, looking provokingly knowing. ssYes; see good many things now that didn't see before } l Ursula, was somewhat consoled to perceive that her cheek was a shade more scarlet, il tbat were possible than his own. ->
 He followed the old doctor into his office when the evening meal was concluded Ursula did not know how she ever would have lived through it, were it not for Mrs. Darling's delightful obtuseness, and Sophy Bradbury's surface charm of manner-anJ plunged boldly into the matter.
 Doctor" he began, valiantly; but the old gentleman interrupted hlm.
 'There's no need of any explanation my boy" he said. "I know now why you didn't want to marry Miss Bradb ury And don't say that blame you much only I came very near choking to death with Ursula's blackberry jam ]" And Doctor Darling laughed again until rhad his spouse been present, she would surely have thought second attack o apoplexy among the inevitables.
 Little Ursula !'' he added. Who would have thought of it? We'll, yor shall have my blessing"
 The pearls were all discolored, and tht gold of the old fashioned brooch tarnisheC with the alchemy of cooking; but Ursula keeps that old ornament yet, more tender ly treasured than all the modern knick ; knacks with which her young husband loads her toilet-table. And every year when she preserves blackberries, Dr. Darl ing comes to tea, and makes pendcrou witticisms, and pretends to search in th' crystal preserve-dish for "boiled brooch ?
 But then jolly old gentlemen will hav' their jokes.