Litchfield enquirer., 1874-01-22

Esst
 stMiss Broomfeld, !" said Ralph. in his dilemma, twill you think ms more or less of villain if tell yon5T have never been marriedY'@ : ssaiIN
 You have spoken of your wife," said
 4ssOf1Era Wiaett T scknopledes. but she is 1dy hn0t tkSk, and not my wife. I have never been married, and shall never be unless you consent to be my wife" and he offered her his arm again. 'T beg pardon for alarming you so-but I spoke on the impulse of the moment"
 What was Fife to do? it still rained rd,-she was almost home-so she took his arm again, and walked on, listening to his hurried explanation. Ut was wicked in me to deceive you all so, grant, but needed the situation. l and knew they would not trust me as s single man. Do you blame me very much?" They were at the door, "I hardly know" she said, for her own heart was pleading his case.
 May come and see you in the morn ing, then. you and your father?" and with her half-whispered "Yes," he pressed her hand warmly with Goodnight" and de- parted; meeting the delinquent Jack just at the gate.
 Found beau, didn't you, sis?" said Jack as he came leisurely in. q knew you would, you always do, so didn't
 Fife escaped to her room and lay half the rest of the night pondering on this state of things, Was she really herself or somebody she had read about in a bookp It |, was about as puzzling case as that of the old woman with shortened skirts in ''Mother Goose"
 Morning brought Mir. Willett to elect rlfy her parents with his revelations. He made his case so clear there was no doubt of his honesty, but at his request they forbore to say anything abroad, until, two days later, in response to a telegram, down to Monroe came his mother, Bob Ayres, and the old gray-haired minister who had known him from baby upward. They brought proof enough of the truth ot Ralph s assertions. Bob Ayres generous ly taking upon himself all the blame of Ralphs deception, and giving an account Tn hls graphic way of how it came about, Ethe no longer hesitated to give her hand where, 1t was useless to deny. her heart already preceded it.
 Of course, MonI oe was all ablaze. But everybody so idolized MT. Willett that all seemed willing to extenuate the case. The general sentiment of the community was the same expressed by Mrs. Watkins to Ralph's mother, and curiously enough, the same that Bob Ayres gave utterance to at the outset.
 'Now, Mrs. Willett, if your son had come here callin' himself single man, when he was married, couldn't overlook it in him as long as I live, but comin' here and callin' himself married, when he was single, jest to keep the girls from runnin' after him, that's altogether diff ferent thing"
 Ralph went to the trustees, acknow- ledged his fault, and rendered his resigna- tion, which they utterly refused to accept
 'No, indeed" said the president of the board, ''rather consider yourself bound to us for life" and he shook him warmly by the hand. 'The crime of being unmarri- ed is easily atoned for" and the worthy man put on such knowing look, that Ralph colored up like veritable shool- girl.
 So Fife did not go to Virginia, but her traveling-suit was all ready for her bridal trip, the next week, and when Ralph Will le:t came back to Monroe to commence his summer term, it was, indeed and in truth, as & married man.
 NJ WR