Connecticut western news., 1874-05-01


 worsteds, fashioning one of the prett
 nothings such as ladies delight to Xii
 time with.
 She greeted me with "Tm glad you'v
 come," and, with glance at Bella
 "'Tis so horrid dull here, you know.
 made no answer, but looked to tn
 end window, where Bella was leanin, her head partly out. I could see he thoughts did not take us in, or any o ! her present surroundings.
 Kate exclaimed that she had "mad, ! 8 mistake, and worked in the wrone ;; color for ever so far" Bella said, a . though brought back to the presen ? time by the words 's You are not the first one who has done that" I turned to her "I have known lives to be entirely changed by false color were you thinking of that?" -. She replied indiferently: 1" No, there is no need, women do not die of broker hearts nowadays, and mans life is not so easily wrecked, that is, if it is worth anything. I'll risk them" She stopped, held, perhaps, by my look, though she could only have felt il through the gathering darkness. asked ss Were you going to add, that you will risk the consequence of the wrong colors you have been weav- ing into your own and another's life ?''
 Her head dropped upon her arm. Kate called to her "not to nope, but to bring her chair close to us.
 There was no answer; so turning to me, Kate said : "You are my. last refuge, the daylight has failed me-, Bella refuses to be comforted, so I am left on your hands. Will you tell me what you have been dreaming about since you came in.
 She sat down on the carpet by my feet and laid her head in my lap. How it came about I could never tell, but I opened my heart to that child, read her page after page of my life, turning the leaves backward for while, then breaking off abruptly, commenced at the girlish years, and showed her the joy, love, doubt and despair which had left me the silent. gray-haired old maid of thirty-fve, that was foolish enough to review all this to chit like her.
 The short curls under my hands were wet with tears which had somewhat yelled up with my recital, but twas Bella's arms which were around my neck, and her lips touched my fore head in mute sympathy. IN a.
 
 and caresses, but begged them not to worry about me, for there was long distance between those early dreams and the prosaic now only I prayed that they might never let pride or dis trust come between them and the one they might some time love as had once loved.
 I assured them my life had not been altogether bare none need be, held, unless they so willed it themselves.
 "But, Jennie," andi the little head nestled close to my neck, "you said sonce loved ; don't you love him now? Wouldn't you ask him to forgive the past if you could see him again ?''
 Her words startled me- "Child," answered, you know not what you say. He has forgotten me, and another woman holds the place was not worthy to fill. 1t would be sin for me to love him now"
 "But you do, Jennie," she whisper ed, "just little, you know you do."
 God help me, Kate, for am weak and sinful. -.. ...a .... ...- ..-,
 The daylight had retreated, and we could not see each other, only could feel how clouded over were the bright young faces. rH
 When they kissed me !" Good night" Kate had recovered her cheerfulness, and bade me to be of good courage, for all sorts of miracles were in her line, and her faith was equal to the moving of mountains. 5d
 As took down my hair that night, I felt again the touch of those hands which had loved to caress it in those vanished years, and in my dreams there came face and voice which were won derfully like Bella's, and yet sterner and masculine.
 With one excuse and another, the girls drove me from the kitchen and almost from the house for the week that followed, -s--
 They took possession of everything the windows and high post-bedsteads were draped with the long unused white curtains, with their netted and tasseled fringe. I heard aunt tell them that she had put them by in case of fu- neral.
 How Kate's merry laugh rang out upon the air. "You, dear old fudge of an aunt, do you know I have brought with me the immortal bloom of youth talk to me of weddings and births, but not of the tomb"
 Aunt began lecture upon the uncer- tainty of everything here below, but Kate threatened to leave her if she didn't desist, and added, "You know what you would be if should withdraw my magic why, they would have to tuck you up in that bed and give you gallons of herb beer. Don't you know what bed-r1dden, forlorn old woman you were when I came, and just see what have done for you P She caught hold of the old lady and made her dance across the room, humming to her, ' Where's my little dog, he will know if this is l."
 Uncle laughed yes, though fancy it must have been painful, such an un- wonted movement of the muscles.
 The house becare bright with ever- greens and flowers. All the quaint, old dishes came into sight and were made useful instead of vases, which we had not The big, broad fireplace looked like the very bower of beauty, and in fact, over the whole place passed the magician's wand. Sundry rides were taken to the village, quite as much to the astonishment of the horse as any one. Kate informed me that 1" the cid thing was tricky, for when out of sight of uncle and the farm she could go like sixty"
 lowing to your wand," laughed Bella.
 Doubtless" said I, while Kate gave me pinch and kiss.
 How quiet that Saturday evening came down upon us.
 The doors were thrown wide open and the house was filled with the sweet ver-scented air.
 The girls had gone down to the brook. and in the twilight stiffness and hush, l caught its faint .gurgling, like the
 I looked down upon myself the | girls had nersuadad ma fn tt tru n,, mn