Litchfield enquirer., 1875-02-11
tine said. half-teagfully.


 tine said, half tearfully. .--zFasa B a31@ E v ..it is well you need not part with this until T come home again, Walker. If
 Tou are really going, then?" 5....}
 ''F Father insists upon it. He will not resign the hope of great match for me, and laughs at our engagement as mere childish talk. Mrs. Wi!loughby has cir cfe of aristocratic friends visiting her. and I am having some of poor mammals old dresses made over. and am to have her jewels, the few that are left
 sDo you want t0 g0?'
 ''No- do not enjoy being poor mu- sic teacher in the same circle where my mother was one of the leaders of beauty and fashion for years. Very worldly, I know; but I suppose am worldly
 Walter Leigh looked down upon the lovely face resting upon his breast. think ing the very angels in heaven were Lot less worldly than this tender, loving girl who had won his love. A troubled look crept into his eyes, and Ernestine, reading his very heart by loves divine intuition,
 'sDo not doubt me, Walter. The world can never come between you and me" a ssYet the world. holds better men, and men who can give you the place your mother held"
 Just smile and whisper answered him. A smile of perfect trust, whisper, '.I love your' Y : z.saHz. -
 Then, while he silenced his disquieted heart. studying her face, a queruious voice called from an upper story. 'sErnes- tinei'
 Without a word, she glided away to meet peevish scolding for neglecting the important work of preparation for her vis- if. to talk to Walter Leigh.
 "That foolish picture IS done" Mir. Grantley said; ''and you have no excuse for loltering in the studio" T-a ts#
 Then hes talked to her as she stitched upon blue silk that was being altered to fit her slight figure, and give its multi tudinous straight widths for the overskirt and douncing of the modern fashion. And his talk was ever of her opportunity, and the use she must make of her time. The girls cheeks burned as she realized the husband hunting schemes that. were un- folded, and wondered if she could ever re- member to be the actress her fathers ad- vice would have made her.
 She was young and girlish enough to en- joy the additions to her scanty wardrobe the rich silks and heecy muslins that had lain untouched through the years when she wore mourning for her mother; and her little feet quivered as she thought of dances, croquet, and gayeties such as she had watched from her nursery window when her mother wore the gay dresses she was remodelGng.
 The streak of worldliness of which she had spoken to her lover, had descended from the fashionable belle who had droop- ed and died when poverty bore away her frivolous pursuits; but there was, after all, but little of it in Ernestine's nature. Three years of poverty had almost crush ed 1t out, and hard study to fit her for a teacher had followed the dreams reused by those scenes from the nursery window.
 Before they could be renewed by the visit in prospect, love had come to fill the throne of Womanhood. MT. Grantley, fee R1e and sickly, had smiled upon the young artist, who had moderate income inde- pendent of his pencil, and in whom he recognized geni6s that must win name before Ernestine was invited to Mrs. Will loughby's. But th1s most unexpected courtesy from the wealthy widow, had quite thrown Walter Leigh into the shade. Already in imagination the half childish old man saw Ernestine the wife of a mil ionaire and filling the position for which her beauty and refinement fitted her.
 In justice to Herman Grantley it must be admitted that he never considered his own gain in any such visions. We'll aware that he was prematurely aged, probably soon to be called from his own worldly cares, his sole desire was to see his only child established in her own home, pro- tected by her husband. Having won wealth by years of hard labor, increased it by fortunate investments, lost it by mad speculations, his one thought of happi- ness rested upon riches. In their retired life Walter Leigh's modest income and his genins had seemed comparative wealth; but in the rosy visions wakened by Mrs. Willoughby's Invitation. the home offered by the young artist seemed positive beg gary. As for the love of these tender hearts that was mere child's talk, and Ernestine would soon forget it.
 it was late in the afternoon when Erne- stine arrived at Mrs. Willoughby's. The carriage had been sent to meet her, and she was ushered at once to the boudoir of her hostess.
 ''I am so glad you came this evening" 1" Agnes said. kissing her cordially. 'We are going to have Q dance, and young peo- pie like dancing. But you must have a cup of tea with mo and some refreshment, for we had dinner an hour earlier to allow time for dressing. -,
 A dainty repast, cordial welcome, soon revived Ernestine, and she went to the pleasant room assigned her, already de- lighted at herprospects of.pleasure.
 Ralph Gurnsey, watching for her from a quiet recess. in the rapidly filling room, wondered what constituted his cousins idea of shabby. He saw a slight figure in q dress of grossamer-ike tulle over deli cate sea-green silk. In the clustering curls of gold. sprays of delicate white flowers with feathery green leaves Upon the slender throat and delicate wrists pearls set in gold. Above the dainty dress the face his cousin had described, lovely as dream. Yet looking intently at this fair vision, Ralph Gurnsey's brow clouded, as the thought:-
 "Childike. yes; and yet there is resolu- hon Tn that delicate chin, the clasp of those rosy lips, and the depths of the great violet eyes. Gentle and yielding she may be, but am mistaken if there is not strong will, too, when it is once rouse ed. Does she know her own power? Does she realize how beautiful she is?''
 Even when the triumphs of the evening were over, Ralph Gurnsey could not ans wer that question. There was a certain stately grace about the young girl, born shyness, that added greatly to the effect of her loyeliness. A new face, and one so fair and sweet, was sure to win attention, compliment, and admiration. but Ernestine seemed to enjoy it all as coolly as the beauty of 2 dozen seasons Yet the man of the world, lowering often near the dS6sRaate, was keenly observant, and to his watchfully eye there was cer- tain shy hucteration of color, little ner- vous termor of the taper fingers, a dropping of golden -iringed lids over the violet eyes. that told the story of welI-concealed bash sfn1ness.J .57oa1 sccE aA4 zauoxL4 efE, .s :, Though the man had resolved ts. bring the whole force of an iron will to bear up- on tiie subjugation of this young heart, to winthis girl, with her.love or without it eo De has wife. he was far too wary to over wheim her at first by his attentions. It waa nn easy matter, in the country house ides to make Ernestine the recipient of de- hcate care, of watchful interest in her