Connecticut western news., 1877-06-29

to brandy in point of taste and refresh ment, and Squire Chester felt provoked at the assiduity with which his son re- filled the young lady's glass and list ened admiringly to all she said.
 'sLet us have some music, Joe," said Mrs. Page when they were again in the drawing room. And the Squire, who was devoted to music, looked up and frightened. It was one of his an- ticipations, that of his sons wife play ing for him and soothing him in his af- ter-dinner hours with the melodies he loved.
 "Now, Lena, one of your favorite songs," said her aunt, quietly; and she sat down, and in a sweet, low and somewhat plaintive voice, sang "Bonnie Doon" and "Annie Laurie.''
 'sThat is the kind of music I like, D remarked Squire Chester to his hos tess, sotto voce. ''Those charming old songs are worth all the modern fal-de- rols that have ever been written," and he looked thoughtfully at Miss Dash wood and then at Miss Cameron. Like wise he hardened to the discourse that was going on between the former and his son. -..
 ''I do SO doat on horses" observed the young lady. "I couldn't do under two of my own-a rider and hunter. I delight in hunting wherever it is to be found, and generally on that ac- count pass my summers on the noun tains, though deer are becoming very scarce, and woodcock as much so. wish we had fox-hunting here as in England. I prefer novels where fox hunting comes-'Guy Livingstone for instance. What a splendid fellow he was, and what a humdrum country is ours, where there is nothing to amuse one except theatres. If had my own way I should be an actress. Don't you think SO too, MT. Chester?"
 "Capital!' responded that young man with emphasis, and pleased, halt amused, half earnest look, which didn't escape his watchful sire, though he did not understand it.
 "He's ninnyr' was the mental re- wife would she make ?'' was his next involuntary thought, until it suddenly occurred to him, with something like g shock, that this was really, after all the woman he had chosen for his sons wife, for his daughter-in-law, for the mistress of his house and household And again he looked at Lena-very kindly this time.
 "You must see my Beelzebub," re- stunned Miss Dashwood, enthusiast cally; "such charming creature! full of spirit, yet so tractable and affec tionate that, assure you, sir," address ing the Squire, "he'n walk into the breakfast room and drink out of youl coffee cup at the table,"
 This assurance appeared to have nc particular charm for Squire Chester for he turned away with very little ce remony. Miss Dashwood went up stair! on some errand, and they heard hel whistling as she crossed the hall.
 Philip" whispered the Squire. C think we had better be going"
 'Not yet, sir. Miss Dashwood i about to show me her new pistols; ant then she will teach me new gam' with cards, and afterwards we are t, go to the stables
 "Go to aohere?"
 ''To the stables, sir, to look at tn horses.'
 The Squire cast on him look of con centrated indignation.
 "Is that-is Miss Dashwood, or Joe or whatever she is called, a man or woman?''
 'The latter presume, sir. It is tn fashion, nowadays, you know, fo dashing young women like her to adop a masculine style in general. It sit well on Miss Joe-Don't you think SC sir?
 ''Miss Joe be-
 The old gentleman recollected him self in time. But he had seen enoug of the dashing Miss Josephine, his ol friend, Simon Walder's niece, and yer moody was he as he rode homeward tha night.
 Philip" said he, day or two after 'I don't see the use of your going t Elmwood so often, now that Miss Dash wood is there."
 "Why not, sir? thought you woul like it.''
 "The truth is, Pm disappointed i Miss Dashwood. I can't approve ( such woman as a wife for any ma save a horse dealer or circus ridel
 Especially should I not approve of he as mistress of this house. "I have no desire to see my drawing room turned into dog kennel, or { have horses walking in and drinkin
 out of my coffee cup. In fact" sai the Squire, waxing warm, 'I won have my future daughter-in-law goin about the house whistling, and odorol , of brandy and cigars, too, I shouldn } wonder, heard her say it was Il fashion. Ughv'
 Philip was satisfied; the more
 when, week later, his father observe that little Lena would make as good
 wife for him as any he could get. The wedding took place within s months. Miss Dashwood, herself happy bride, was present, and u
 Squire wondered exceedingly at u great change and improvement wroug : in her by the influence of marriage. = Sentiment and Opinion.