Connecticut western news., 1877-09-07
VOL. VII.

the daughter, and the meal began. ters in the presence of all this loveli- ness, and so concluded to wait until some more suspicious moment. Mrs. Judkins kept up an animated conver- sation, and finally touched on her ab- sent husband.
 'Where did you and he become ac- quainted, Mir. Brown?"
 Brown remembered Judkins' note, and said, fiatteringly, '1 think it was at school, ma 'am!''
 "At school!" exclaimed the little wo- man, repeating his words, "and you have continued such good friends ever since? 1 have often tried to persuade my husband to ask you to come and spend some time with us. He talked of you so much that I almost felt 1 knew you, too. He promised that as soon as you came from abroad he would send for you, and like dear old fellow that he is, he has kept his word. How long were you abroad!'
 Brown began to feel uncomfortable. He had never been abroad in his life. He coughed once or twice and then replied:
 Really, madam, your husband must have been misinfOrmed. 1 have not been out of my village of Saltwater for year."
 "Indeed !' calculated the lady, "and MT. Judkins did not know of your re- turn until recently? We'll that is too bad."
 Brown thought it was, but did not make any reply; and to avoid any re- currence to the subject, until he had explained matters, he addressed him. self to the daughter, and so the meal ended. The trio then withdrew to the porch and occupied the rustic seats to enjoy the pleasant night. Brown began to reflect whether he did right in allow ing matters to go as far as they had. He was convinced that he never had met MT. Judkins, but what would his wife and his beautiful daughter now say should he commit himself, and then on the other hand, what excuse other than the real state of the case, could he make? And what would Judkins do if he should return unexpectedly while he was there? His cogitations were put an end to by Mrs. Judkins, who excused herself, saying she must go in and help the servant"-thus leaving our unhappy hero alone with the daugh- +or we before stated, and she also seemed to be aware of this fact herself Ca com mon failing with pretty young women). She also exhibited strong coquettish tendencies, and as this class of people are supposed to gather homely as we'll as comedy masculines in their toils- even so Brown was not exempted. As soon as the mother had disappeared, the daughter laid her schemes, and so securely was the net W oven that Brown had to confess himself thoroughly en- trapped before the close of the evening. Indeed, so completely infatuated was he that had it not been for the restrain ing influence of the mother, who now returned, he would undoubtedly have committed himself. As it was, he con- tented himself by squeezing her hand till the owner of the injured member almost cried out with pain, and he bade her good night.
 In his room he became more per plexed than ever. Conscience dictated he should not delay any longer, but seek Mrs. Judkins and explain, throw ing himself on her mercy; but vision of loveliness in the person of Miranda Judkins rose up before him, and ap- peared to be giggling at his ridiculous position, and in this state of mind he fell into a troubled sleep. He arose next morning, not feeling much re- freshed by sleep, and dressed himself | and went down stairs. Mrs. Judkins in- quired at the breakfast table if he had headache, and on answering in the affirmative, Miranda was all attention. With her own hands she tied a wet bandage over his head, and then made him lie down on a couch in the parlor, while she took seat by his side and | famed him.
 He has since confessed that he don't | think he ever had more delicious | headache in his life, and would have liked it to last week under the circum- stances. He thought there would be no more fitting time to continue his in terrupted advance than the present, and so, reaching forth his hand he took hers, and said, in as pathetic voice as he could command:
 | "I-I-don't mean that, Miranda" he continued, still retaining her hand and raising himself on his elbow; "I- I-don't you think it would be nice for me to take of you and you of me? I love you Miranda. lit is short''-he had jumped to his feet, and was in the act of sinking on his knees, when hurried step was heard, and Mrs. Jenkins en- tered with an open letter in her hand. She walked straight up to Brown and thrust the letter into his hand. He then read:
 MY DEAR WIFE: I am sorry to dis appoint you and Mira, but my friend Brown has not come home from abroad yet. I had heard that he had arrived as was at Saltwater, and wrote
 Brown read no more. The letter dropped to the floor and he sank back on the lounge completely overcome.
 "What is the meaning of this, sir ?' demanded the lady in stern tone. "Are you not MT. Thomas Brown?"
 ''Yes, yes, ma am, but-but-I ain't