Connecticut western news., 1872-02-09

was even more agreeable than at the SOty6e and then he left, invited me to go sleigh riding with him the next day. "He'n propose, next thing you know, said Clara, sagely. "These grave bache lors always do it very suddenly. I have known it to happen more than once my. self"
 "Would you wear the locket, Clara p asked, as was getting ready for the ride
 "Well, I don't know," replied Clara thoughtfully. "Yes! It will look SC handsome against your black velvet jack ct, and they wear them on the street g great deal this winter"
 We had grand sleigh-ride, the strong black horses carrying us like the wind again and again around the principal drives of tho Park. All the world was out, and it was brilliant scene, intestitied every few moments by some of the fast horses breaking Into race. was in the high est possible spirits; and when we turned homeward felt as if it was the closing of a triumphal march.
 II peg your pardon; but that is very rare and curious locket that you wear, J said MT. Verehanl, as he assisted me out of the sleigh.
 Yes" I answered, confusedly; and gathering up my furs, hurried through thanks and leavs-taking, and ran into the house. I had such dread of any one questioning me about the locket, and find ing out that 1 had borrowed it of pawn broker.
 The next two or three times that 1 met Mr.Vereham did not wear it. was real ly beginning to think good deal of hin. in romantic sort of way, and Clara's rail lery only added to it. It seemed to me that I never had seen, never should see, any one that could like so well as I did Dudley Vereham.
 Then came presently cards for a party wbi,h was to be the party of the season. Clara was getting up for herself some won- derfully cloud-like drapery, with pearls and turquoises. I was to wear my blue silk, the only real party dress had, and-the locket. Clara did my hair, and that was half the battle.
 "Now you are perfect violet" she said, when was ready. "Here, use sOme of this violet powder, child and let me pour Some eau de Uiolette on your handkerchief There is charming great conservatory at Mrs. Hart's, ard perhaps Mir. Vereham will ask you to walk there with him. We girls have counted up at least ten proposals that have been made in that conservatory this Winter.o ,+
 I must confess that my heart beat tu- multuously when, in the course of that never-to-b o-be-forgotten evening, Mir. Were ham, as Clara had predicted, invited me to walk with him in the conservatory. took his arm all ln a fiutter, ,'half terror, half hap piness, and in few moments we stood among the camellias and cactuses. He talked about the plants at first, showing me some that he had been blosso,ning in their own native clims. I answered rather at random, ana afraid, for the bur- den of my thoughts was, "Oh, what will father and mother say?n
 Standing at. last beside an orange tree, there was moments silence. MT. We're ham appeared somewhat embarrassed.
 "May I ask" he said, hesitatingly-"T have been wishing a long time to ask would you tell me, Miss Madge, the history of your unique locket2"
 I supposed looked surprised, for h, has, tened to add, Let mo tell you my story first, and then you will pardon my curios- ity." ., ..... .,.... ,-
 And while stood there silent, summon ing all my self-control, he told it. His grandfather, it seemed, was one of the younger sons of an old English family of nobility. His mother, when a girl, was presented with curious antique locket, at the time of her confirmation, by an aunt, who was also her godmother. It was given her as priceless treasure, it having belonged to the family for at least two centuries. ho fnh which was displeasing to her relatives, and left home and country to share the for tunes of her young husband. At last, t,when in Germany, pressed by the utmost neces- sity, for they had met with many revcrses, they were obliged to pawn the locket, hoping by good luck to redeem it speed ily. But the very next day they received letters telling them of Mrs. Vereham's fla ther's illness, and summoning them to England that he might see them once more and forgive Chem. They went home immediately, and were detained there by his long and tedious illness, and aftsrward by business and family complications, so that it was three years before they found their way to Frankfort again, and then the pawnbroker was gone, leaving no clue.
 cit has always been the subject of in tense regret to us," sad Mr. Vereham, at the conclusion of his story. "And my mo- tber has described the locket to me hun drcd times, grieying to think how she had let it slip out of her possession. The mo- ment saw you first, Miss Madge, my eyes were riveted by your chain and lock ct, and I determined at once to make your acquaintance, as soon as we were on suffi- ciently friendly terms to warrant it, to ask you about your antique ornament.
 By this tune I was self possessed and proud. My little love dream was dashed to the earth but no one should dream it had existed.
 "The locket is undoubtedly yours,'' I said, briefly. "It was lent me by an old school-mate, daughter of 8 pawnbroker. He is German Jew, and his account of it coincides with yours. I will return it to him tomorrow, and give you his address that you may reclaim it."
 MT. Verehem was delighted beyond measure, and thanked me earnestly, wear ing such radiant face when we emerged from the conservatory that Clara told me afterward she was sure we were engaged.
 ''And to think, after all, it was tEe locket, and not youp' she exclaimed. "I declare, Madge darling, I never want to see the man againn
 An, well! As in the old fairy tale, the bell had rung midnight, the festival was over, and Cinderella must go back to ev- ery-day life. I returned home, and to my teaching, feeling very grave and ex- perienced after my winters dissipation, and with my mind fully made up that should never marry. But somehow the work ofteaching did not go on 50 lightly as it used, when had vague little sweet TO- mantle dreams of love that might come any day. All that was past and lost now, and was sick of dreams. had a letter from Robbie, telling me of the redemption of that curious old locket, and what 8