Connecticut western news., 1873-04-04
VOL. IT..

mary no congenial society vacations spent with old Bell, who was probably her uncle; now I-freedom-gallant sailor, etc., etc.,
 soon got through the "rapids," and on the fourteenth day went clean over the falls"
 She told me all about her family=her father and mother, brother Jack, cousin Jack, dear Jack, and my Jack and quite understood why she had named her poodle Jack but in our delicious game of-whist-firt cared little about her playing four knaves, as I thought that I held the rest of the honors, including the queen of hearts. I did not play euchre in those days.
 Jack did this-drove her here-wrote her all the news-was perfectly frantic because she could not return sooner had the distemper-was in favor of emancipation didn't smoke-had been run over by dear Jack-twice bitten brother Jack, and once saved from pun ishment by cousin Jack l What cared which knave was being played, so long as could be near this lovely creature and listen to the merry rattle of her musical voice I never troubled myself about which Jack she was referring to for aught I knew she might have told me Jack and tue Bea1e- stalk, Jack the Giarat-killer, or any other equally absurd nonsense. All saw was her glorious beauty and beaming smile, and felt that I was-well, felt con- vinced that I had made deep im- pression.
 It was upon 8 moonlight night that I "went over the falls, after this fashion.
 With all her frankness of manner, Clara was not in the most remote dc gree unlady-ike or forward. She was what all women should be with our sex while accepting our respectful ser vices without restraint, perfectly equal, but, withal, never overstepping cer- tain line, even when admitting us to what men call "good-fellowship."
 Of course, in my youthful egotism, I blinded myself to all this: worshiped her, shut my eyes, and-over I went.
 She was looking at the moon, and telling me quaint conceit about it's in- habitants, while was gazing upon her sweet face, and burning for the moment to arrive when could tell her how de- votedly I loved her. She pictured a lunar Arcadia, and had mentally taken me by the hand and wandered through its blissfu1 scenes-an angel Introducing the spirit of lunatic to his proper world.
 Now, upon my honor, beyond the freedom of trust with which she had from the first moment treated me, can most truly say that Clara Bell had never given me any reason to believe that she was in love with me. was 8 young, impetuous sailor; she woman accus- toned to being honored and petted by a large circle of friends, and who, re- membering my profession, had treated me as brother.
 lam not fond of confessing my sins and weaknesses, but do this a3 warn ing to other nautical idiots.
 ssClara p tremblingly began. She turned from me, and endeavored to withdraw her hand, which I had i'm prisoned as I uttered her name. E'Clara
 No reply-and upon my life, although I had uttered it in a whisper, the name seemed to mockingly echo back from the gloom. However, l felt her trem- ble.
 "Clara-my dear Miss Bell" q was on the edge of the falD, :I am not used to describing my ordinary feelings, and these are too deep for utterance- but from the core of my heart love you p I was over the brink.
 Captain ]" she exclaimed. This was a quencher.
 s'Miss Bell ]" faltered.
 "WiH you do me favor?" she said.
 Now or never, thought I. "I'd de to-to-"
 s'You stupid man p she laughed, "have given you any reason why you should thus address me ?'
 ''Miss Bell" I humbly replied, ''most sincerely do I beg pardon for my pre- sumption"
 Turning her laughing face full upon angry with you, but beg that you will rive at Porto Rico, and then you must tell dear Jack all about it. I am not angry, for you have shown yourself in every other way true friend and gen. ) tleman. I completely forgive this weakness on your part, and only beg you will promise me that when we meet ] dear Jack you will ask him if he will agree to what you wish !' : was houndering about in the ''boir at the foot of the mental Niagara, and she had, by her womanly tact, as it were, fshed me out and landed me. "But to which Jack am to confess ? ) I cried, beginning to treat the matter as ] joke-serious enough to me, for feel , the wound to this day. ''Not to the poodle, surely?
 "To the first Jack who comes or , board upon our arrival off Porto Rico! replied the lady, holding out her hand Goodnight, Captain G G-." = I escorted her to the companion-way ) and then returned to my seat. 7 I did not feel any great amount o r self-conceit just then in fact, had : wave washed me off the poop at tha moment, should not have tried to re turn to the ship. I had no doubt bu that she was engaged to some fellow } mere mass of-well, not anything ik 5 myself. (Self-conceit rapidly returning. 7 In fact, when thought the matter over 3 came to the conclusion that this charm ing, lovely, divine, superb, elegant, be
 witching young lady had been makin r fun of me, and that she really was il i; love with some narrow-chested, vapid I weak-constituted Porto Rican. (Seh ] conceit quite recovered.) 7 Ireally began to pity her, and though f that my dear, bluff old father was g second Solomon. But why had she SC !. her cap at me? I supposed it was
 well, know better now. - We arrived off Porto Rico about day break the next morning, and as I gay l the word, Let go the anchor!' Clar : came up and saluted me as cheerful
 as though I had never confessed to he
 the real state of my affections.
 couldn't help worshiping her still 6 quietly of course-and her dress fnisl 8 ed the matter. I lent her my binocula,
 and she rested it on my shoulder z e though I had never gone over tn
 falls"
 l. "There he is!' she cried, almost drol . ping my telescope in her excitemen