Litchfield enquirer., 1875-12-09

YUACu O8Pt8AU 0OEbAXue uau OuCo soAu ne was very becoming. I did not know vhy I cared to look particularly we'll thai evening, hut I certainly gazed at my re lection in the glass very critically. turn ing away to go down stairs at last, with $ sigh of regret that it was not unquestiOn ably beautiful
 Every one was in the parlors. awaiting the expscted arrivals, and, when joined them, place was assigned me near Cap tain Montague, as g matter of course, he having reserved an easy chair for me, at . convenient distance from the rest, w ithOut appearing tO have withdrawn from the general circle of friends. His manner though earnest and interested, had cer tain amount of indifference about ii, which seemed to constantly challenge ones pow. CTS of entertaining, and had yielded to the temptation, until my conscience whis- pered that this little Irritation of ours was becoming far more serious than I at least, had intended it shsnld- omitted my seruples uith the thought that he waf young and would probably go through many such love tilts before his heart was touched by the genuine fire, and. having aweakness for good looks. let myself en. ioy for the time, his playing at love mak. ing, fearing little danger to either of us So, continuing the little comedy, I took the seat his forethought kad provided. and for the next half hour listened to and re. turned his several softiy-spoken speeches, meantime awaiting anxiously for the sound of sleigh-bells. Just as thought I heard them m the distance. Mrs. Wray. burg's voice recalled me to myself. q "Eleanor, my dear, will you order tea placed at once? I think I hear them coming"
 I hastened to obey her order. and as ] passed her chair, felt she gave me a look of reproof.
 When again returned to the parlol they were ali crowding the doorway and hall, welcoming home the head of the house. Above the buzz of voices could hear the old familiar tones-a little deep. er now. bnt with the same pleasant ring In them, which spoke of music and laugh. ter. saw Ginnie, my pet. friend and con. 6dante. ascending the stairs with a tall, slight figure, ,enveloped in cloaks and furs, and I knew from that moment that should dislike Will Wrayburg's charge, J '.1 suppose Dly place will now be given to this new hero. said Captain Montague, quite pathetically, and whom had no. noticed was standing beside me.
 s'Mr. Wrayburg and are very old friends" replied i've have known each other from childhood. But then I was 8 guest in his mothers house-not the gov. erness."
 '1 didn't think Will Wrayburg was one of that kind" he said, with an air of su- periority.
 :. ''I only meant to say you would find DO one anxious to take your place"
 While he was murmuring some reply which did not heed, the others pressed back into the room and caught my first glimpse of the thew hero" In my heart could not blame that French girl for falling in love with that tall, noble-look. ing fellow, whose face told of true, hon. est heart. With outstretched hand, and she winning smile of old, which was now half concealed by the heavy dark nous tache. Will Wrayburg came eagerly across the parlor to where I was standing. ] went forward to meet him, trying to speak the ssnrlsa of wcloono whioh Riiad my heart. He pressed my hand warmly, say ing :-
 Nell, am right glad to find you here. The old home would not have seemed natural without you"
 Then he gave a quick glance at my black dress. and. pressing my hand again. gave me look which uas better than any words of sympathy he could have uttered. Then he was placed in the seat of honor by his mothers side, and undera ent the usual clamor of questions which beset a traveller on his return.
 Presently Miss Janin entered, leaning on the arm of her new-found friend-nV Ginnie. As said before, she was a tall, slender girl certainly two years my senior and, though not handsome, had a certain fascination about her which was equally attractive. One could hardly tell whether it was in the large gray eyes, the finely cut mouth, whose smile displayed teeth of dazzling whitsness, or graceful, pretty manner but the power of attraction was undeniably there. In the first ten min utes of our acquaintance, had to confess that had done her injustice when accus- ing her of naivete. And this new discov- cry did not inspire me with greater conf dence in Miss Janin. Her manner was that of a well born woman of the world, though quiet and undemonstrative When presented to me, her pale face lighted with some interest, and she smilingly gave me her soft little hand, allowing it to rest in mine for a moment in such a way that was obliged to hold it agaInst my will, while ] felt her gray eyes were studying not alone my features, but my very heart and soul.
 "Ah. this is Miss Nellie! !'' she said, tuning to Will, with the air of one to whom a confidence has been given.
 ''I have spoken of you to Clemence. g he said, with evident embarrassment. s.as one of the family circle, with whom was going to make her acquainted"
 '1 ought to feel highly hoDored, said. At that moment we were summoned to supper, and, as they turned away together, slipped of little turquoise ring which now only fitted my little finger. and let it drop to the bottom of my pocket. Miss Janln did not favor me with her special notice again that evening.
 Ginnie seemed quite delighted with her new acquaintance, apparently forgetting that two hours ago she had determined to ''distrust this French girl" But, then, Ginny is young. I could see that Mrs. Nrayburg. though all kindness and hos pisality. had not yet decided either for or against the new conner.
 Every one seemed to understand that the family would prefer spending this first evening by themselves and so, with out appearing to do so intentionally, little groups were formed apart from that end of the room where sat the hero of the hour, surrounded by LIS ardent admirers. 1 alone seemed forgotten by all. I was not asked to join those with whom I de- sired to be, and some wayI could not do so, uninvited, that night. and the others left me, l suppose. to Captain Montague He had not been sufficiently devoted to forego his cigar. As stood by the table. reading book of which did not see one word q was too proud to appear neglect ed), I fully realized for the first time that was only the goverpess Bat for one circumstance. Il might have borne my fate patiently. Clemence Jan1n formed part of the family group, taking her place among them as a right, just as after ards discovered she did everything she wanted. Once in . while fragments of their con- versatlon reached me, in which 1 found myself unwillmgly interested. until re. called to my own dignity by hearing her strange voice, with its foreign accent. re-