Litchfield enquirer., 1877-06-28
''Why, yes," said the colonel. What on

why, yes, Sa1Q the colonel. What on earth are you driving at.'
 Plantations, mines," muttered Tom. .'H'ml-Yes, the daughter. "And with that Tom swung himself airily out upon the piazza. leaving his friend in good deal of puzzle.
 ''Tom isn't g marrying man," he solil- oquized; "but that daughter of Garcia's has attractions of more kinds than one. He's little fellow, Tom is, but he's won derfully keen. I don't understand hlm half the time. There he is now, marching up and down with Marguerite Allen. Looks as if there had been a row already. Guess had better go and hunt up Pene- lope."
 Intelligent enough was the athletic col onel, but conscious of certain degree of slowness, as compared with his ready minded, keen-eyed friend. It had more than once occurred to him that Pen was as acute, for 8 woman, as Tom was for a man. which means that either of them surpassed the. other at all the points, where they did not meet. Pen found out her side of that fact the day she be- gan to hate small men, and sold out her claim on the one she had in hand,
 Nobody but Tom Lynn could hear what ''the pearl" was saying as they con tinued their slow promenade.
 ''Mrs. Robinson is vexed? Yes, of course: but can't help it. I'd rather spend the rest of my summer elsewhere than be introduced to that Cuban girl" ''Why?" asked Tom.
 "Have you met her?'' rephed Marguer- ite.
 Seen her; not spoken yet" said Tom, havn't seen her father"
 ''I wish you had seen him." said Mar guerite, She seems to be an explanation of her. think as soon as my mother re- ,turns-that's three days now-I shall ask her to take me away from this.'
 You seem very strong in your likes and dislikes-at least in your first impress sions,'' said Tom.
 = UO ana nIAao Garcia, then." responded his companion. ''See her father, too, if you can. You may be able to tell why I ought to be fascinated with taem. A child can lead me. you know"
 Tom actually colored, and Marguerite saw it. She felt as if she could have bit ten her tongue off, for she we'll knew there was nothing childish about Tom. Even h1s stature was but little less than the middle measure. Still she had hurt h1m. She discerned that clearly enough, and she stumbled to make amends.
 ''I may be foolish and preludiced," she said, quickly; land I have great confi- dence in your judgment. Even Penelope does not agree with me-"
 ''Did she ever?" said Tom. But the flush had disappeared from his face, for Marguerite's tone had been even more soothing than her words, and Tom was 8 fellow of more than little good sense. Fifteen minutes later, however, when Marguerite Allen swept through the bree- zy parlor, the day became suddenly less pleasant than before, as she saw how wig orously Tom Lynn was obeyinghis orders.
 "He is so handsome" said ''the pearl' to herself, "and that Cuban beauty sees it, of course. Her black are fairly de- vouring him. I'm glad he had his back to me. It's my fault, anyway. If there fsn't Pen Gardner with the old Midas himself!'
 Whether or not Senor Manuel Garcia bore any natural resemblance to Midas, he was listening fairly we'll to sPen's board1ng-school Spanish, and she'had not
 of F6Fr 65FrftGRaa tRaaa5 hages2 t2 geld at at his touch.
 He was very we'll l-appearing, middle aged gentleman, so dark that his lady companion seemed quite blonde beside h1m, and even Marguerite Allen began to think better of her own complexion.
 ''He is indeed somewhat heavy," she muttered to herself. .'but I wouldn't trade Colonel Waring for him. Nor I wouldn't give my green lion for that hand: some daughter of his, either"
 Not an instant did she pause in the parlor, however. and her first act and deed on reaching her own room was to arrange very perfect bit of cremation in the empty grate.
 s'There," she exclaimed, as the flames curled up around the offending piece of embroidery, you were meant for a match safe in the beginning, I don't want any thing more in my sight to day that'l make me think of matches"
 The draught was none of the best, and the smell of the burning worsted-at least she said it was that-speedily drove Mar guerite down stairs again. She reached the piazza just in time to see Tom Lynn and the senor lighting a couple of the lat ter's pure Havanas. as they. strolled away together toward the lake, and Colonel Waring fuently explaining the mysteries of croquet to the fair Cuban at the furth- CT end of the playground.
 ''lf Pen is beaten, it must have been Toms work" murmured ''the pearl, " half triumphantly. "But I've seen things turn over just that way in kaleido- scope"
 Marguerite dear," said low voice be- hind her, .'give me back my green lion"
 Burned him up" replied ''the pearl"
 "What! so quickly?" said Pen. You must have had spite against him."
 ESQ had, said Marguerite. "But do you mean to let the colonel go without an effort?
 Don't, Marguerite" pleaded Pen; ''its too bad of you.to carry the thing so far. !" ''I only carried him up to my room," said Marguerite, ''and now can't open the door without sneezing. He went right off in a blaze. like genuine mar tyr"
 Please be serious, Marguerite, for once, "exclaimed Penelope. ssI don't half like these Cubans.
 Tom and the colonel seem to-" said Marguerite. II don't wonder you want to trade back. Even small man is bet ter than none"
 ''There he comes again. said Pen. ''He did not walk far with the senor. What can it all mean? He can't be jealous of the colonel. And yet men will run af- ter heiresses."
 Let's go into the house." was the sud- den response of her friend. II wish my mother were coming tomorrow.
 ''And you'll let me go with you?" said Pen. half coaxingly. ''I don't mind the green lion.''
 ''I wonder if she'd burn?" said '.the pearl" as they disappeared.
 The set onlthe croquet ground was read fly filled without the help of the two friends, but they saw enough of the after noon's play to know that the striking beauty of the Cuban ''heiress" was not wasting for want of appreciation.
 The whole situation was br1mful of bit te1nerness, for neither Penelope nor Mar guerite was accustomed to any such sud- den overturns, aud Tom Lynn and Colo nel Waring were not the kind of valuables which right-minded young ladies like to see drifting away from them.
 The two gentlemen, however. seemed to be enjoying themselves we'll enoug, and