Connecticut western news., 1876-12-01
''Father, I would stake my life on her. truth and honesty, D said the young

her truth and honesty, said the young man. ;a'a'sa -c3 ,. - .-.,s' : 1T
 Because you are in love with her, my son. Edward, have you spoken to her yet 2"
 "Not yet, sir
 "Wil you do me favor2"
 Edward smiled a little.
 That depends upon what it ia, father."D e-' 1 .r
 "Will you wait week before you ask her to become your wife Will you wait week without asking any qges- 1 tions2" ,-
 If you desire it, sir. D " .': :.
 s' At the end of that time I will tell you what I think upon the matter. "J ?
 And MT. Stedhurst went out. l. The next day he brought down an almful of old coats, vests, etc., from the garrett, ..,.,.
 " Judith,' said he, .these things are getting motheaten. They belonged to an old uncle of mine, who died ten years ago-an odd, miserly old fellow who hoarded everything up, and died in cellar at last. I want them cut into carpet rags. .s. -........ ..t ?
 " Yes, sir" answered Judith Black, i'll the soft. low voice which was habitual to her. And when her days routine of duty was done, she went to work dili- gently with Mrs. Stedhurst's larg ge shears. .v'.....-, ... --...-.
 She was all alone in the kitchen the next afternoon just as the clock was striking three. And as she worked she sung softly to herself an old Scotch bal lad, 1" Bonnie Dundee" Picking up an old waistcoat of ginger colored cloth, she chipped off the but tons, and mechanically turned the pock- cts inside out to cut them away. There was piece of folded brownish paper in one of them. Judith took it out, with out thinking much of it, and unfolded it.
 To her surprise, she perceived that it was twenty-pound note.
 In her first astonishment she uttered little cry, all alone though she was. And then she remembered what MT. Stedhurst had said about the miserly old one who had "hoarded up his little gains and died in cellar at last" This, doubtless, was one of the old mans hid ing places-and he died and made no sign.
 And this precious bit of paper-was it not hers by right of discovery
 Her eyes gieamed and her fingers trembled convulsively as they frightened upon 1t She needed it so much She was so poor-so pinched for money. And these Stedhursts, to whom it would naturally revert, were rich and did not need it. They would never know. No body would kn ". -...-y --
 For minute the temptation battled fercely with her better nature. For minute only; and then she rose up and went straight to the door of the tool room-went with dropping eyelids and 8 scarlet stain on either cheek. -
 Come in," said MT. Stedhurst, as she knocked at the door, and she en- tered. <.s \,
 'sMr. Stedhurst," said she, in a voice that would falter little in spite of her resolution to control it; ''Lere is some money-a twenty pound note. have found it in the pocket of ono of those old waistcoats." .-, '.
 "Ah," said MT Stedhurst, putting down his plane and taking. the crumpled bit of paper. "And why didn't you keep it9 Did it not occur to you that I would never know anything about it9"
 "Yes," said Judith, slowly, cit did occur to me, sir.
 "Then why didn't you keep itg"
 "It was not mine" Judith answered, in low tone.
 Judith, 9 said old Phineas, CT put that E.oney there."
 "You did9"
 "l did. To test you. To make sure that the girl to whom my boy had given his heart was worthy of him."
 Judith s face glowed deep scarlet.
 CT don't understand you, sir," said she.
 "No, I suppose not. But you will in few days"
 And she did when Edward Stedhurst asked her to be his wife.
 "My own love-" he said, "the house has been like different place since you came into it. Will you promise to stay here always?''
 And Judith's answer was "Yes.''