Litchfield enquirer., 1877-06-28
A CREEH LION.

| 6AAOs IU4 6OW6MGHt O1 UxuuOlt6s Dub T Penelope was no lily herself. Her beauty
 the aggressive and full-blooming sort that
 IS apt to t'make remarks"
 ,You do?" was Marguerite's undisturb-
 ed reply, I suppose that means Tom Lynn, l just now, because he's silly enough to ad-
 mire you. You'll soon help him get over
 it. l don't believe you've fooled him very
 badly, anyhow"
 The color in Peneiope's cheek deepened
 little, for ''the pearl" was seldom known
 to miss her little shots, and the reply came without any drawl:
 sTom Lynn? Who spoke of him? All that said was that hate small men,"
 sThat means you will marry one, one of these days, 1 suppose" responded Mar
 "What aoyou mean?" asked Penelope.
 Why, Pen, replied Marguerite, re- morseless women like you always marry the men they hate. You feel too benevo- lent just now to marry any body, even Tom Lynn; but wait while. In three or four years you'll have lost all your pity, I and then you'll marry the smallest man you know-the one you hate the most"
 'I didn't know pearls were bltter," said
 Penelope. "Come, now, trade me Colo nel Waring for Tom Lynn I'll give you that green worsted lion to boot"
 ssrhank you, Pen" sad Marguerite: .sthat'll suit me. I've wanted chance to put that worsted in the fire this ever so l long. Next time you want to work some thing big and fierce and hideous on can- vas, you can make the Colonel sit for a model.
 "You are dreadfully savage this morn. | ing, said Pen. as she handed down the unlucky green beast, so good a specimen ys l.is wooly kind. s:Yond hettar ssisH i; linn aafu dan # know where you II find Tom I'll take possession of the colonel when we come out to play cro- quet. At all events, he's not small | man."
 s'Poor Tom Lynnl" said Marguerite. as she swept out of the room with her
 lion; The doesn't like me at all, and what shall do with bim?" sAmuse him kindly till somebody else comes. was the parting advice of Pene- lope Gardener.
 But what would not either Pen or 'the pearl" have given if they had known that the couple of gentlemen, who unknown to them, were enjoying their early smoke on the grass under the maple near the window of Penis room, had been compul- sory hearers of every word that passed. sWel!, colonel" muttered the lesser of the twain, s'which of us three came out ! of that fight with the least glory?"
 'Us three, Tom?" replied the tall broad shouldered, martial-looking, but not at all handsome colonel. "What do you mean 2"
 "Why.'" sad Tom, ''you and and the green lion.
 '.Oh,' exclaimed the colonel, ''the lion, decidedly. She's going to burn him. I must say I fully approve of that proceed ing. But what's to become of you and me? They'll be cremating us next" There was Q red spot in Tom Lynn's cheek, in spite of his self control, for he was almost painfully aware of the differ ence between his somewhat underslzed, though elegant proportions and the mas- sive bone and muscle of his friend. question of size discussed in their hear, ing, least of all by the fairer part of crea- tion; and poor Tom, clear-headed and manly as he uquestionably was, had felt the sting of Penelope's remarks to the very extremity of his neatly fitting boots. He answered quietly, nevertheless: "Why, colonel, if it's any fun to the girls to swap what the settlers would call their pre-emption titles to us, why not indulge 'em?"
 "All right, "said the colonel. '.The green lion went with you az betterment, I sup pose.
 ''Oh, said Tom, a tride bitterly, ''I've >takenon bigger improvements than that while Pen was cnltivating me-
 sSo much the better for your new own- CT, said the colonel. "But wonder what she Il do with me" "Swap you for the first new conner that outweighs you." said Tom. ''B By the way there will be new party here by the noon boat See 'em at dinner" ''Men, or women?' asked Colonel War ing"
 'Both, I understand, said Tom. "I wonder to whom shali be traded next?" When the inmates of the pleasant F tsummer boarding-house' at the shore of Green Lake came out for their accus- toned croquet, an hour or so later, the two gentlemen could hardly help exchang- ing an appreciative smile as Marguerite and Penelope adroitly but firmly carried out the terms of their compact. Tom Lynn, however. perceived less beauty than hitherto in the fresh rosy ag- gressive face of Pen Gardener, while the pleasant smiles of the dark-eyed Marguer- Ig0 WC1O uOuC buO 1CSo dSICC0D1O OrCau6O Tom felt that she had in a manner, '.stood up for him" in his absence. In fact, so entirely and contentedly did he resign himself to his new owner, that Pen could hardly conceal her surprise and pique. She remembered the suggest ion of ''the pearl" that morning, and nut tered to herself,
 :.Margerite was right. But then he is ~r@k 1A k<>I Io1. do we'll to hate small men," There was nothing to be gained. how. ever, by hating right down good fellow, a generous and brave fellow, too, like handsome Tom Lynn, and ''the pearT took his part at every sign of collision in a way that indicated very decided disposition to stand by her own.
 'fShs forgets," thought Pen. ''She is showing him what a tongue she has" As for Colonel Waring, he was one of the few men who thoroughly enjoy cro- quet. and it delighted him beyond meas ure to have so good 8 partner, and to win 6 ard-fought game over such skillful op- ponents as Tom Lynn and Marguerite AL len.
 | He plays splendidly," thought Pen. I'm glad I bought him. He's worth hun dred green lions. But. must say, think Tom Lynn is behaving very peculiarly. It won't do for Marguerite to trife with him. l They will make themselves look silly if they're not careful"
 | Tom Lynn was not looking silly just then. only very undeniably handsome Newcomers indeed, that day, apparent ly strangers to each other and to every body .else-wha Colonel Waring describ- ed as a s.a mixed lot" The landlady, Mrs. Robinson. of course knew all about them, and inclined to be proud of at least a part of them.
 If you're to be traded off," said Tom Lynn to Waring. cit must be for Garcia. "How's that?" said the colonel. 'I out
 weigh him good fifty pounds
 Mere beef." said Tom. I beg your I pardon-mere flesh and bones. Think of
 his Cuban plantations. and his Mexican mines. There's where his weight comes 1 from. Hadn't you better give it up?"
 Gan't say.' growled the colonel. ''I