Connecticut western news., 1877-06-29

Philip started.
 "I believe" continued she, cooly, ''that there has been some arrangement made concerning us by these two old I mean by your much honored father and my nightly respected uncle-a little matrimonial scheme, if am not mis- taken. Very kind of them, doubtless, though it might have been kinder to have left us choose for ourselves, and be happy in our own way"
 A faint gleam of hope began to dawn on Philip. -,ti s 'I want to tell you 8 secret, MT. Chester. May trust your" . .-..
 eff you will do me the honor," he replied. t. ..-.
 "Ah, see you don't like me, but you will after awhile. This, then, is my secret. am in love-pray don't be alarmed-not with you.''
 '"Thank you!'' said he, almost invo- luntarily. r E., ..>-.. .s5
 "With very handsome, very clever, very worthy and deserving young man," resumed Miss Dashwood, with unmOved seriousness poor. And you are in love with one equally per- feet, but suffering under the same stigma .......-. She looked at him seriously, now, with her dark eyes, and he met the gaze frankly.
 "Now we understand each other, " she said, resuming her former tone and manner; land now we can act as seems best to do under the circumstances. It won't do to rebel openly against these two old fogies-I beg their pardons- those wise and venerable old gen tlemen; but we can manage quietly to circumvent them and have our way can't we ?' 0l' ..
 Perhaps you have formed some plan to that effect!" said Philip, half amused and half interested.
 "You shall hear," she answered. "I am told that your dear, delighted father admires 'dashing ladies' wants 8 dash ing daughter-in-law, and mistress of his establishment. You will dine to-mor- row at Elmwood. Be sure not to dis appoint Mrs. Page, who knows all about it, and takes tender motherly interest in the affair. We will see whether the old gentleman is satisfied with his chosen daughter-in-law. But, what ever occurs, your role, remember, is to be perfectly charmed. Will you accept your part, MT. ChesterPn - l
 Half laughing, and half wondering, he agreed. ... .- ,o.f.
 And so they rode on through the shadowy wood path, Philip Chester hk- ing his companion far better than he had previously thought possible of Miss Dashwood. .s ...@-..I ,-..... ...5 2
 Scene second, act first, transport us to the drawing room, where sat that grand old lady, Mrs. Page, in all the formal dignity of 8 country dinner dress, en- deavoring to entertain some half dozen guests, of whom Squire Chester was one. Seated near an open window, he was anxiously awaiting the appearance of Miss Dashwood, with vague hope as to the effect which might be thereby produced upon his undutiful son. Thai self-willed young man leunged near conversing with a lady, while Lens Cameron, very pale and quiet, wal bending over a bit of embroidery witt fingers that trembled little, and eye! that were rarely uplifted.
 Suddenly the sharp notes of the buglt pierced the ears of the assembled com pany. -... s'That is Joel said Mrs. Page. {" am glad she is come, as now we car have dinner.' ..r "Joe?" doubtfully inquired one 0
 the lady guests.
 The Squire looked from the window as invited, and beheld 8 figure in mans hat and coat, as he thought, ant
 woman's skirt, dashing full speed u
 the avenue toward the house, with hal
 dozen dogs accompanying. Spring :, ing from the horse unassisted, she pro ceeded to unloosen the saddle and throy
 it upon the ground, then walked sev
 eral times around the horse, evidentl,
 examining into his condition, and dis cussing the same with the groom, wh
 had now appeared on the grounds. f If Squire Chester regarded this unex = pected appearance of his sons wife wit e any emotions of surprise or disappoint = ment, he at least did not express ii : On the contrary, he bowed and shoo Q hands with the true old style gallantr
 and courtesy, as that young lady prt
 sently entered the room, followed d two of the dogs aforesaid, to whom sh
 whistled an encouragement to enter. F "Oh, my dear, the dogs!' remo1 e strated Mrs. Page, piteously; we al Q not accustomed to having them in th
 drawing room."
 n "Dear me! not have dawgs in tt IS drawing room! Why have mine wit d me everywhere, and all over the hous r. Couldn't do without them, I do declar Ie Like dawgs, sir? she inquired, with a pretty drawl, of her future father-il g, law.
 d "Very much-in their proper place at the old gentleman felt constrained D, say.
 e-l To which Miss Dashwood replied
 just perceptible shrug of her gracef ip shoulders; and then they went in
 dinner.
 ''No turkey, thank you," she said,
 never take fowl-its only fit for inv at lids and babies; so insipid. I'll tai ot some roast beef-rare, if you please 10 though prefer steak and onions.'
 And besprinkling the gory slice wi f. an abundance of cayenne sauce, Mi