Litchfield enquirer., 1875-04-15

 lived mile from the station, and when I got there, was gone out to tea. l inquir- ed if Mrs. Case was there, to my great de- light found she was, sent up my card ,and in five minutes found myself face to face with most forbldding- looking female, in a green calico gown, and black lace cap trimmed with blue ribbon. She looked at me over her gold spectacles just like Aunt Fyler. My knees shook, and meek ly remarked,
 ''I wanted to see Mrs. Case"
 ''That's my name" was the severe re-
 'sBut I thought-I believe Isn'tthere another Mrs. Case staying with Miss Hos ford?"
 "Oh. the widder Casel Yes, she went away this afternoon"
 could not make inquiries of her. An other Mrs. Case! how hated the namel So inquired out the place where Miss Hosford was tea-drinking, found her after half-mile walk, introduced myself, and found that Lora had gone by the train I came on. Here was complication How could have missed her? Miss Hosford- pretty, rosy little oreature-seemed to pity me sincerely, and suggested that per haps her veil concealed her too effectual- y.
 "But I should have known that dress and hat anywhere" said. ''I studied them we'll to be sure of it."
 "Oh dearp exclaimed she. "She was in one of her old black dresses, and had on green veil. She meant to dress in Pittsfeld. She said those things were too bridal looking to travel in. She didn't want to be advertised in the oars. es
 That was so like Lora I had to laugh. But what would she do in Pitisfield tIll I got there?
 Probably get very spunky, suggested Miss Hosford. l thought 1t but too prob- able; but all that was left for me now was to take the returning milk train at half past eight: the accommodation shrieked past as we were talking. So strode back my mile and half to the station, thence to the tavern for something to eat, and at the due time took the milk train. was no Mrs. Case to be found there. No seen her at the minister's. The station master had gone to bed by the time 1 thought of questioning him. could see him, however, early in the morning, for the down milk train left at half past five. By this time it was we'll into the night, but I was too tired and anxious to sleep. The musty little bedroom of the tavern did not invite repose: it was a hot May night, and had feather bed. I heard the wheezing wooden clock in the hall strike every hour but four, five, and six I fell asleep just when ought not, and the milk train went without me. There was an accommodation train at eight, how ever, and by questioning the station-mas- ter till he was cross, discovered that a lady in black dress, with red hair-(oh) had bought ticket for the afternoon accommodation the day before. Of course she had gone back to Great Harrington, 50 steamed off for that place at eight, and again hunting up Miss Hosford, found her as anxious as was myself when once she had heard my story, for she had neither heard of Lora. nor seen her. The express train went in an hour. went back 60 Canaan therein, as sad and mad as . man might be. To-day should have been the day after my wedding day, and where was I? My bride was lost, my appointment to be at H. to-day entirely broken: what would become of the flowers, the friends, the dinner, my dear old cousin from New York, who was to arrange all, and be there to meet us? It was the pro- verbal slip between the cup and the lip. And worst of all, where was Lora?
 I had made up my mind to go back to Canaan and wait, and Miss Hosford prom ised to telegraph me at once if she heard of her. On the way down l noticed slight fuss in the cars. People began to talk eagerly. Somebody said the express train up had run over COW just above Canaan, and was off the track. We were at Sheffield, and must wait at least four hours, the conductor thought, as the en- zine and three cars would need to be re- placed on the track. l had a college friend in Sheffield, so hunted him up, and staid with him overnight, and gan my chance of getting into tavern there.. Of course we sat up late talking Of course, too, exhausted with anxiety, l slept over both morning trans, and only reached Canaan in the late afternoon, and it was Saturday. I flew to the telegraph office, but the operator was not there. Some body told me the trainyesterday had brok. en down two telegraph poles in running off the track; and though, fortunately for the train, the poles fell away from the track, unfortunately for me, the wire was broken. Nobody noticed it, for all were busted with the train, and now they had just got about mending it, and the operator had gone to look on. ar
 What Sunday passed Was fate against us? I found myself getting super stitious. I went to church three times and sat in the next pew to Aunt Fyler, ,who surveyed mewith glare of triumphant malice. distinctly heard her say to an- other old woman on the meeting-house steps: -1'e
 ''I told ye how 'twould be. I do hope Loraiany's learned her lesson! When foles's aunts make a will willin' away their property to forrin missions, 'tain't so dreadful pretty to marry lem, you'd bet ter b'ievel H'ml I've seen young fellers before, l guess. -...... .... .-.
 I let her rave. I did not care for her. went to the tavern after evening meeting, and went to bed. did not know what else to do, and all night I dreamed Aunt Fyler was trying to marry me her. self; but she wanted Lora to be brides maid, and couldn't find her. But next day-oh, blessed morning!-I had tele- gram from Miss Hcsford: "Come on first tram" Do you think oveFslept that time? I confess to being little troubled on the way as to the frame of mind I should find Lora in, that remarkable Iit- tie woman had so many changes in her ''infnite variety" thought I was pre- pared for anything; but I never was more astonished in my life than when she threw herself into my arms, sobbing like tired child, and whispering in my ear, l'9H lano'
 ''Oh, I'm so gladl so gladi so gladt I'm. tired and scared to deathl'' ss.,,., a.ss.s.
 Heavens and earthl She had never kiss ed me once before of her own free-WilI, and here she was acting like pleased baby. And oh, how pretty she was.
 ''Lora dear" said l, becoming suddenly conscious of my being the head of this helpless female. '.Sit down, darling, and don't cry. I'll take care of you now" ..
 That unaccountable creature gave q wicked little giggle that made me shake in my shoes. as gs .g9aa ai
 .sMiss Hosford," went on. as that es; timable young woman opportunely en- tered the room, ''have you clergyman here?" -1 41a.l'
 A smile fickered over her face as she replied, -rr ..f y.5.-
 ssOh ves WA always keen one in fba