Connecticut western news., 1877-04-13

much Of, fancled she was more worthy of such love as he had to give than the woman who would have died for him. Things could not last much longer like this. Opal wondered why he did not come of an evening. and asked him to spend the following Monday with her, as she would be alone. He could not refuse; so all day Sunday he spent with Nellie wandering about Kensing- ton Gardens; then to church with MT. Wylde, and delightful Bohemian sup per in the shop-parlor. Afterwards came the goodnight; and Montague told Nellie he could not come the fol- lowing day, because he had to see cou- sin of his; and then he went on to say that these happy days must end, as he was going away for long time, and would only come once more to say good by. The blue eyes filled with tears, the tiny hands rustled up into the air, and with wild scream she threw herself upon the stairs, sobbing, "Montie, you cannot, shall not leave me.
 'sDarling, must.'
 out yOu SaIO yOu AOFCu hCs
 ''God knows how much, my darling; but must leave you, for am in honor bound to marry my cousin Opal"
 Nellie dld not receive this announce ment haughtily, with pride, or with despair, but threw herself down at Montague Garthorn's feet, sobbing pit eously. "You shall never marry her the proud lady you show me in the Park ; but me, your own loving Nellie, who worships you with a devotion she can never feelv'
 ''I do believe you love me best, my golden wig," he exclaimed as he caught her in his arms and kissed her, promis- ing to call again soon."
 Nellie was immediately comforted, and before he had got to the end of the street she was singing to herself as she cleared the supper things away.
 On Monday, Opal dressed herself in the dress Montague admired, ordered the dishes for dinner he preferred, and and made up her mind to win him back, remembering the words of one ot our writers, that s'reviyed love is the strong est." He came in determined to make the evening pleasant to Opal, even to confess to her his filtration with Nellie to tell her, that he had rooted it up and was ready to come back to her more devoted than ever but Opal looked so strong in her self-possession, so pas- sionless, so unsympathetic, that the im- age of Nellie recurred to him as he saw her last in her attitude of worship at his. feet.
 ''Montie, why are you so strange? Does anything worry you, dear?"
 "Nothing."
 "But I am sure it does. Have I any, thing to do with ir?''
 s'No."
 ''Only remember, Montague, if there is anything in the world can do for you will"
 "Would you really, Opal?'' and a gleam of hope came into his face, and for the moment he felt inclined to tell her all; and then, if only she had come towards him instead of going to the window, he would have made a clean breast of it, and saved Nellie and him. self sorrowful fortnight. Opal crossed the room, not even look ng at him, and, with her eyes fixed on the street, she said: Montague, even if you love another woman better than me can bear it, and give you up so readily-for your happiness;" and she turned and smiled one of her brightest smiles at him.
 "I am but poor company tonight, Opal, so good-by." And before she could call him back he was gone. ''How little she cares for me!'' he thought, while she was caring for him more than her life.
 For a fortnight Mir. Garthorn saw neither girl. He was selfishly unhappy l; he was in that state of mind that he did not know what to do next. He wished some one would take his destiny from him, and make him do something. Every day he thought more of Nellie and less of Opal.
 The latter wrote him kind note, hoping he was not i'll; should pappa come and zee him?''
 Nellie wrote mad letters, beseeching him to come or she would die. She was ill; she was pale; she really was dying. She should never see him more if he did not come. He sat down to answer these letters, l and felt relieved when they were fin. ished.
 Opal received hers by the last post, and directly she saw the well-known writing she took it up to her room to read it alone. It was only a short note, and she perceived it was in a school girl hand. It ran thus:
 Oson Ddrlina Montle: Your broken and dying. If you don't see her soon it will be too late, and you can only put flowers in her coffin, and bid her last adieu. Do, do, do come to your lov- ing
 NELLIE.
 The address was ill full on the letter and in one moment Opal saw it all How MT. Garthorn had sent her this letter by mistake; how this letter was from some one to him; and she realized that in truth he had found some one whom he loved more, and consequently would make him happier. Her resolu. tion was made. Her love was no use il it was selfish.
 Next morning she wrote to Mon. tague, asking for few moments con versation that afternoon. Then she went to Nellie's home. She rather , wondered at the appearance of the house, but fancied the lady might only be staying thore. Blooming, blue-eyet