Litchfield enquirer., 1871-02-23
From Arthur's Hoaaa Nas~ai-., HOW IT HAPPENED.
 BY MARY E. COMSToCK.

CHAPTER l. Nothing seemed more improbable at the time than that it should happen. But hap pen it did and in very short time withal. The burden was heavy one. Lillian Ro. sevelt had borne it three years ROW, and yet it seemed no lighter than at first. Had you entered the pleasant family. room at No. AS Court Street, and given a glance to the group of young ladies gath cred there busy with graceful trifes of nee- dle-work, you would have felt at once that the sweet girl clad in mourning garb, who spoke in clear. low tones when she joined in the merry chat, and who smiled so soft. ly and brightly when the others laughed, was neither sister nor very close heart friend of the others. Though participa. i ting in all that went on around her by some undetinable influence, she seemed set apart in her gentle fragile fairness and sweetness like lily among flowers of brilliant dyes. Sid Maxwell, who had come from the other side of the street for an hours chat about the arrangements of the coming fair, they were in common, manufacturing articles for, took leave, and Imogene and lizzie Fairchild, the dark eyed daughters of the house, were alone with the gentle orphan cousin when Retz, an overgrown boy of sixteen, came in with 6 shade oi green silk tied over his eyes
 ''I say, Sis," addressing lizzie, "whai nonsensical traps you and Imogene do get up for the fairl Mats and bead cushions that nobody can stick pin into. and watch. cases, when everybody has got half dog. en already. and slippers man has got to get made up for himself, and scarfs and needle-cases and silly little bookmarks."
 Do hear the boy, said Imogene. "He has actually been taking an inventory"
 70 Retz! prying into peoples bureau drawers! l thought you were too honora. ble to do such things" said lizzie.
 II didn't" said Rstz stoutly. "They were every one spread out on the bed, and what's fellow like me to do, but pry and prowl, I'd like to know? Don't you wish you had let me go down street?"
 "Retz, you are tall enough to be more reasonable, after all Dr. Ashton said about your eyes, and the light is binding on the snow to-dayp'
 "Then Til prowl." said Retz. "You're too busy with your miserable work to amuse me. Such nonsensical gew-gaws, though. Little you ladies care, though, so i you get the money. You call it charity. ] call it it cheating. Cousin Lirs got the incest collectionl Jolly mittens and socks, and red little hoods. and girls frocks, and an old woman's capr'
 "Why, Retzr'
 "Why. Retz!" repeated the boy in Judi crous imitation of feminine tones. eff YOU won't let me ge down street. I'll use wha, eyesight I've got at home. I gave you warning before, Cousin Lil; twas jolly o you to leave your trunk open for me. ] amused myselfw
 q thought you were working with u. for Miss Allcott's table. Lillian. spoke Imo gene.
 The shapely head. with it's fair corons of golden hair. and sweet expressive face full of tender meanings. was raised iron close attention te bit of delicate embroid tery.
 "And so I am, Jeannie. Retz cam, across some of Cooks and my partnershi, Idoings.s That is allv'
 'Oh!' said Imogene. The accent wa, ldeprecatory.
 Some of the Holly Street friends?" as tserted rather than interrogated Izzis.