Litchfield enquirer., 1875-12-30

estimate of the amount. and EnKety 0k viands and chattels 'stO be had for song. ssEoa sse we vant to Dc married at once. said he.a stthaG is, T 1ahGhine and 1sdden-i ing .I do, and Alice ia williugs but weirs poor, poor as-why, Jobs turkey had a competence in comparisonl But we can begin very simply. yOu know. plate and . knife and fork apiece. and Alice has her silver mug and napkin ring, and Mother Brown promises five bags of live geese feathers, and o, there'H be no end of but ter-knives and pickle-fOrks among the presents, and Alice and are agreed to privately melt and reduce them to scudi.
 Here, Philip burst out laughing, one of the happiest, heartiest laughs. then, sober ing, he went on earnestly: 'sFOr myself, strong, we'll, and, with Alice, eQuaI to anything. But I don't want to net blindly for her might go firss and make . be- ginning, but we would both SO much rath- CT go together, and begin the world to- gether. Will 1t be too hard for her I only want to feel sure about this.
 He had caught hold of Margaret's hand in his eagerness. and looked from one to the other of us. a9e ta ''I don't know"|I began.
 sI know. Philipp cried Margaret, lean- ing forward with great glow in her face. ''You will begin the world together. you and Alice, there will be way" At this moment Alice came in. o, how beautiful she lookedl it was always a fresh revelation. Philip sprang to meet her.
 cts all settled, my darling, Margaret advises that we go together I-she's our guardian angel r
 They went up to Margaret and began talking, sometimes one, and then the other, and sometimes both together. It was wonderful stream of happy, ,trustful, utterly unworldIy-wIse castle building :: love had tfansformed Philip from grave. rather silent young man, to 8 very boy, loving and believing in all the world, with Q childlike gIadness of heart. The boy hood he had not when child seemed to have come to him now. s
 Margaret scarcely spoke. but listened to their hearts content, gazing at them with depth of gently wistful expression, it almost broke my heart to see. I am not. as the old song has it, s'sad- dest when I sing,"[I am maddest.
 "What are You humming 90 merrily ?r Philip asked, sand with such spitefuIly prosy look"
 70, melody from Mother Goose r' answered I. 'tshall tell you how 1t runs9'' He rose up. smiling. with Alice drawn within one arm I dropped my head and sang mOeklngIy :- @44as @win the love that they're so rich in Build fire in the kitchen2 Or the little god of Love Upon that Philip came up to me and kissed me. while Alice, between a bout and laugh, declared they should board, and so the '.little god" needn't worry about fires or kitchens either.
 When they were gone, Margaret walked the room Nith . face of deep and troubled thought. She did hot seem conscious of me. or rather thought like to think she was always so accustomed Co me that my presence never disturbed her. Hith- erto she had never known trouble or grief. In peace. in health. in simple pleasures, her beautiful. strong youth had ripened. Once or twice as she walked she passed her hand yearily over her face. looking absently at the tear left upon ik |, was glad when John came in, but surprised at Margarees movement Her face cleared :: few lmpetuous steps brought her close
 "Pspa I'm so glad you've come!" What is it, my little girl ?" taking her hands in his.
 "Are you rich, very rich ?" John laughed.
 Chubby Pa and 'mercenary Bella to the life, said Chudleigh, entering just in time to catch Margaret's question.
 ''Are you?" she persisted. John nodded. "WlH you give me some moneY,-a large sum ?"
 "How much ?" Margaret bent her head, and John darted look of inquiry at me.
 "How much do people need when they if were going to be married, papa, how much would you give me ?"
 Everything have, darling. is yours.
 "Yes, know, but want to find out"
 Do you want me to tell you how much would give you or do you want to know how much would be fair sum for A young couple setting out in Hfe?"
 ''The last"
 "lt IS hard to answer; anywhere from five to fifty thousand dollars, according to the persons and circumstances. For instance, five thousand would be ruinous wealth to Pat and Biddy."
 There was pause. and then the warm color spread oven to Margaret's throat. but she looked straight in Johns face as she asked :-
 "Psga. can have my marriage portion
 Chudleigh stared as her. with startled. agtated gaze. Johns loving, serious eyes held hers, some moments, silently.
 I will give you any sum you ask, my child, If 1t is within my means"
 Tt is for Philip and Alice." said Mar. garet in lower voice, with . slight. up. conscious contraction of feature, Chnd. leigh turned abruptly and went ont. 'T shall not want any marriage portion, ,papa, and I'd like t0 give it to them. Bat" more hastily, T don't want shem ever to know: want you to give 1t to them, will you 2"
 '.YeS, l was going to help them, but 1t shall Dc dopO as yon wish"
 She thanked him with sigh like tired clfilds, then went slowly back to her chair. John followed, and, sinking upon one knee, bent over her.
 Why does my darling dsnghter think she will want no marriage poTtion,-does she think she is going to die %
 Margaret wound her arms around his neck, and lad her cheek to his. 70, no, papa. l only think I'm going to stay with you Her voice faltered, she turned suddenly closer to him, and burst into H%SDSShNAeS~~s
 l went out and left them alone stru0- gling with dreadful bunch in my throat. and furtively dabbing my eyes with nv handkerchief When I'm quite wretched. 1t IS always easy to make me laugh. spd I almost did it, when I found ChudIeigh standing in the library window and swat lowing in c most extraordinary manner. He didn't see me, and mnttered, 'sFool i fool y two or three times,-I was sure he meant Philip, nodded my head like the ghost of Banquo, and slipped out without speaking.
 A few months later, Alice and Philip and they were evidently yerv happy. Philip wrote short letters. but they were so like him, they were like little | visits from him in all of them he praised Alice. Rome, his art. his brother artists always wishing for Margaret to join thero' NW~.nMw xk.a T<.~. n..Ma