Litchfield enquirer., 1876-04-06

posedly; 'sand the hearts of Sontharn wO- men are much like those of other women, presume" Then, as the girl opened the door to escape, ''you may go away if you like, Gardis," he said, ''but l shall love you all the same, dear.
 She disappeared, and in few moments Cousin Copeland re-entered, with apolo. gies for his heightened absence. .''I found several other documents l thought you might like to see, he said, eagerly. ''They will occupy the remainder of our evening delightfully."-" ...s
 They did. But Gardis did not return neither did she appear at the breakfast table the next morning Captain Newell rode back to the city without seeing her
 Not long afterward Cousin Copeland re- ceived formal letter from a city lawyer The warehouse had found tenant, and he, the lawyer, acting for the agent, Gap tain Newell, had the honor to inclose the first lnstallment of rent money, and re- mained an obedient servant, and so forth. Cousin Copeland was exultant. GardiG said to herself. 'He is taking advantage of our poverty" and going to her room she sat down to plan some way of release. II might be governess," she thought. But no one at the South wanted a goVer. ness now. and how could she go North She was not aware how old fashioned were her little accomplishments music, her embroidery, her ideas of literature, her prim darwings, and even her deport- ment. No one made courtesies at the North any more, save perhaps in the Ian. Ac &a o1,n hnSr physiology, and geology, the ordinary studies of a Northern girl, she knew hard ly more than their names. We might sell the place." she thought at last, ''and go away somewhere and live in the woods" . ...
 This, indeed, seemed the only way open to her. The house was an actual fact; ii was there; it was also her own. A few days later an advertisement appeared in the city newspaper: "For sale, the resi-. dence known as Gardiston House, situat. ed six miles from the city, on Green Riv. CT. Apply by letter or on the premises, to Miss Gardiston Duke" Three days passed, and no one came. The fourth day an applicant appeared, and was ush- cred into the dining-room. He sent up no name; but Miss Duke descended hope fully to confer with him, and found-Cap- tain Newell
 ''You p she said, paling and flushing. Her voice faltered; she was sorely dlsap- pointed
 ''It will always be myself, Gardis. said the young man. gravely: "So you wish to sell the old house? Ishould not have supposed it.''
 1T wish to sell it in order to be freed from obligations forced upon us, Sir" what ?' ---..-...s....-.-
 "You will not buy it. for the simple reason that l will not sell it to you. You do not wish the place; you only buy it to assist us.
 ''That is true"
 "Then there is nothing more to be said, 1 believe, said Miss Duke, rising.
 ''ls there nothing more, Gardis ?"
 ''Nothing, Captain Newell"
 And then, without another word, the soldier bowed, and rode back to town.
 The dreary little advertisement remain ed in a cnrnar of tho newspapoR Q nannth longer, but no purchaser appeared. The winter was rainy, with raw east winds from the ocean, and the old house leaked in many places. If they had lived in one or two of the smaller rooms, which were in better condition and warmer than the large apartments, they might have escap- ed; but no habit was changed, and three times day the table was spread in the damp dining room. where the atmosphere was like that of a tomb, and where no fire was ever made. The long evenings were generally spent in the sombre drawing room by the light of one candle, and the rain beat against the old shutters so loud- ly that Cousin Copeland was obliged to elevate his gentle little voice as he read aloud to his silent companion. But one evening he found himself forced to pause; his voice had failed. Four days Bfterward he died, gentle and placid to the last. He was an old man, although no one had ever thought so.
 The funeral notice appeared in the city paper, and few old family friends came out to Gardiston House to follow the last Gardiston to his resting place in St. Marks forest church yard They were all people, clad in mourning much the worse for wear. Accustomed to sor- row, they followed to the grave quietly not heart there that had not it's own dead-husbands, brothers, and sons slain on the cruel battle-felds in cold Virginia. and over the border at Gettysburg and Antietam. They all returned to. Gardis- ton House, sat while in the drawing. room. spoke few words each iD turn to the desolate little mistress, and then took leave. Gardis was left alone.
 Captain Newell did not come to the fu- neral; he could not come into such com pany in his uniform, he would not come without it. He had his own ideas of duty. and his own pride. But he sent wreath of beautiful flowers, which must have come from some city where there was hot-house. Miss Duke would not place the wreath upon the coffin, neither would she leave it in the drawing-room; she stood a while with it in her hand, and then she stole up stairs and laid it on Cousin Copeland's open desk. where daily he had worked so patiently and steadily through so many long years. Uselessly Who among us will dare to say that :?
 A week later at twilight, old Dinah brought up the young officers card.
 ''Say, that see no one" replied Miss Duke.
 A little note came back, written on slip of paper: II beg you to see me, if only for moment, 1t IS business matter that has brought me. here to day." And it was very forlorn day for a pleasure ride: the wind howled through the trees, and the roads were almost inn passable with deep mire. Miss Duke went down to the dining groom. She wore DO mourning garments: she had none. She had not worn mourning for her aunt, and for the same reason. Chilled by the damp room, pale and silent, she stood be- fore the young officer waiting to hear his errand. It was this: some one wished to purchase Gardiston House-a real pur- chaser this time, stranger. Captain Newell did not say it was the wife of an army contractor, Northern woman. who had taken fancy for an old family resi- dence, and intended to be herself an, old family in the future; he merely stated the price offered for the house and it's furni. ture. and in a few words placed the busi- ness clearly before the fastener. ...
 Her face lighted with pleasure. "At last 1" she said.
 .'Yes, at last, Miss Duke There was a shade of sadness Tn his tone, but he spoke no word of entreaty: ':You accept?"
 ssT d0 said Gardia