Litchfield enquirer., 1877-05-24

member, dld not see much of the eli mate. was almost always in your cozy parlor, waere the birds sang and the flow CTS bloomed. and the dear professor was so much like my own Edward that could almost fancy they were one and the same the naldy hair, the same eyes of flash ing blue, and his thee and thou brought back to me the sweet Quaker dialect. He had but the one fau1t-of which thou must cure him, my dear-a womansh curiosity that thou altogether art happily free from. It at last drove me away. came home, like the prodigal, and my father gave me my Edward, the more readily that he was the best match in the county, and my father, though 8 fire-eater, is poor. My best love to thee | and the professor, and I am always thine own HELEN" As finished the last. line the profess 1 sor's footstep was on the stair; and as Che night was warm and the door open, in he came. and found me, cold and pet riied, with this dreadful letter in my hand. r.z.---.-- .,.'-
 .'What is ita'' he said, snatching the letter. ''It is from New Orleans. Is she l dead?"
 ''No," said; ..she is married. > And the professor read every word of that cruel letter of Helen's. Then he wiped his streaming brow, and I bent my head submissively, expecting a volley of imprecations and laments; but he sald not word, and presently sank into a chair, and looked out upon the western sky. A fresh breeze blew aside the cur tains and lifted the hair from his, beauti- full white forehead. .
 My kooro all fact on1 haoui1w woc so sorry for him I thought my heart would break.
 Weep not. little one, }" at last he said. ''I think have been fool: is it not SOP
 "No, no, mol" cried, going over to him, and kneeling down by his side. ooh, can you ever forgive me? Indeed, indeed l thought it was so. I thought she musl love, she could not help but love, you.
 He looked down upon me and smiled, and patted my little red hand with hit white and tapering fingers.
 ''What is to be done now?" he said "The altar is ready, but where is the vic tim? How can the sacrifice go on?'
 "There is Miss Van Coot," said, tim idly, 'if you could bring yourself to be satisfied with her. She has houses anc lands. and thousands and thousands o1 dollars in her own right; and she is very wise and learned, and wonderful musi clan"
 "Hold!' cried the professor; "why should this great and mighty lady condo scend to become the wife of a poor pro lessor? Hast thou not sufficiently fosterec my foolish vanity? And what would be come of the rooms above, upon which have expended my time, my money, an( my brain? You will own that they vii not suit the fancy of Miss Van Coot?"
 ''Oh, they areso beautiful!'' I cried, my tears falling faster than ever. '"Fhe pa per is so bright, the carpets are so pretty the pictures so charming! There is littl, rocking-chai there that is the dearest anG most comfortable little chair in th' world"
 "Then keep it thyself, mein Herzch en-, he said, in that low tender growl O his; and began to tremble without know ing why, for he had bent his handsome head to mine, and gathered my hands il his. ''Be myself the victim! Thou has long been my sympathizer and comforter When I look back and think, imbecil' that have been, of all that thou has done for me, and the little have don' for thee, it is, as you Americans woult say. like the handle of jug, all on on side. It is as you put the padding upol poor Miss Van Coot's shoulder tha morning. Listen little one, to my com mands. Thou shalt make no more gowns except thine own; thou shalt keep n' boarder but thy husband. Come to m. heart, mein Liebehenl"
 And as I nestled there, flood of glor, beamed In from the western sky. I diC not speak; my heart was full; and thought there could be no happiness more beyond hope, or joy, or thought, in God'' paradise.