Connecticut western news., 1876-05-26

| in my old age, Edith What should do without the little feet that trip SC | lightly about the house, and the hands | that are forever busy in my behalf9 Tell me yoQ will stay, Edith I"
 "Dearest Mrs. Beckford," 7" whispered Edith, with the happy crimson dyeing her cheek, sI'll never leave you will stay with you always. Oh, I am so glad you have learned to love me-more glad than I can tell you. But, Mrs. Beck. ford -
 "Well, dear9"
 "There's something I want to tell you-something have kept back from you," faltered Edith, with her fingers nervously twining themselves around the old lady's slender, wrinkled hand. "M Mrs. Beckford, I am -
 But Mrs. Rockford had started to her feet, with 8 low, half-suppressed cry.
 "Hush did I not hear his footsteps It was something more than the wind among the evergreens-it was my boy'e foot upon the threshold He has come back to me p
 She rushed to the door and threw it wide open.
 Ernestl My boy"
 And the tall, stalwart figure caught her in it's arms, as if she had been a lit tie child.
 "Mother, are you glad to- see your wanderer back once more9"
 Nor is it any aspersion on his manly dignity to state that slight moisture was sparkling on his long eyelashes as he bent to kiss his mothers cheek Men are but mortals, even though they be six feet high, and framed accordingly.
 As she drew him in he caught mo mentary glimpse of the figure in the apartment beyond.
 You are not alone, mother9"
 "No; Edith is with me-"
 And who may Edith be9"
 :" Didn't you get my lettersf I wrote all about her"
 CT haven't seen letter for three months"
 Edith was standing where the full brilliance of the lamp shone upon her blushing cheek and radiant hair, as mother and son entered the room to- gether. Ernest stopped short, gazing at her in bewilderment.
 |" Mabel l"
 '' Ernest, what do you mean ?" ex- claimed Mrs. Be, kford, doubtful whether or not her son had taken leave of his senses. 'sThis is Edith Moore. :"
 "She is Mabel Moore, my own afi- anced wife l'' said Ernest, springing forward and sealing his words on lip and brow and cheek with half dozen kisses, while the young lady, much to Mrs. Beckford's horror, made not the sliC ht- est resistance.
 The next moment, however, she with drew from his enciroling arms, and g!id- ed to the astonished matron's side.
 Dearest Mrs. Beckford," she said, softly, "I may tell you now what was just trembling on my lips when Ernest's footsteps interrupted me. My name is Edith, but it is Mabel, too. Will you forgive me for stealing into your heart by stratagem9 I knew you were pre- judiced against one whom you regarded as mere butterfly of fashion, and had told Ernest that I would never marry him without your consent. Half an hour ago I promised never to leave you. Mother, you will not send me away from you now9"
 And Mrs. Rockford melted straight way before the pleading sunshine of the blue eyes.
 "I always wanted daughter" she said ; "but couldn't bear the idea of Mabel Moore, the Bayswater heiress. !"
 "But you will love little Edith, who came to be your companion"
 "I suppose I ought to scold you for deceiving me- said the old lady "but IT couldn't help loving you if I were to try ever so hard, and that's the truth of the matter. There, Ernest, take her, and will ring and tell Thomas he may serve up dinner"
 An! As though Ernest cared for any thing less ethereal than Mabel just then
 "You have conquered, dearest," he said, tenderly. "My brave hearted darling, will the devotion of my whole life compensate you for all this faithful love?"
 Mabel thought it it would, and Mabel was right.