Connecticut western news., 1878-09-12

His name is not signed to it, says Aggie, looking up quickly. "A least you said it was signed only witt initials. o. l.. may mean good many things"
 |" Beloved of my soul P" reads Tom from the letter which he has taken from Stella's unresisting hand. "'Beloved oi my soul
 "'I know that thou art beautiful,
 But need not tell thee this,
 For few unconsciously can bear
 The spell of loveliness.
 "Since the moment when you first l ashed upon my enraptured sight, your mage has hovered ever before my walk ing eyes, and tender avowal has trembled upon my lips, which, yet, I have hitherto lacked the courage to utter.'"
 "Just fancy" says Stella" just fancy Charlie Lester writing such trash as that-shy, honest, good-natured Charlie p
 "He asks you to answer it," says Aggie, with 6 curious gleam in her eyes.
 "Yes only fancy the impertinence of the thing l"
 (Which you won't ?" queries Aggie.
 "Aggie p cries Stella, "why do you ask such a question ? You know I won't"
 "Not if you were sure that Charlie Lester wrote it ?' asks Aggie /; and con- tinues, as Stella shakes her head ind1g- nantly: "After all, why should you dou5t that it is from him ? He is shy, as you say too shy to dare to express his passion in words, and"
 What more she would have said is drowned by Toms roars of laughter.
 "Charlie Lester write that P he cries; "Charlie Lester write such outrageous bosh as that Why, you must have taken leave of your senses to suggest such thing, Aggie. I'll tell you what it is, though, Stella" he continues, turning to his cousin, " I'll bet you we can find out who did write it, or at least who mailed it. Old M'Kelway has been laid up with 'rheumatics for 8 day or two, and Lucy, hls daughter, has kept the postoffice for him. She's scary little goose, and I'll bet you I could make her tell all that she knows, and maybe good deal more. Shall we try, Stella?''
 Stella starts to her feet with prompt acquiescence to the proposition Aggie starts to hers with equally prompt de- nunciation. The scheme is absurd, i'm practicable-nay, more, it is dishonora- ble. Will they tempt that child, Lucy M Kelway, into doing what is palpably dishonorable lead her on to breach of confidence which may cost her father his position
 Tom looks steadily at Aggie as she pours out her string of remonstrances There is shrewd, suspicious look in his eyes and curiously caustic ring in his voice as he says, "Save your breath, Aggie. We're going, for all you can say. Don't be so scared about Lucy. We are not going to betray her-not her," says Tom, with a slight but telling emphasis upon the last pronoun, which sends a frightened look into Aggie's eyes, and stays all further approximations upon her lips.
 "A, b, c, d, e, f." says Tom, solemnly.
 He is apparently reciting the alphabet for the amusement or instruction of pretty fair-haired little Lucy M'Kelway, who l1stens to him intently, but gives no sign.
 "P, q, r." goes on Tom, while Stella stands by listening too. "Not hit it yet? Here goes for another try, then s, t. u, v- What ?" says Tom, sudden. ly, as Lucy gives little nod, with he1 laughing eyes fixed upon Stellas face. "V is the first letter, is it? Do you make anything of that, Stellar"
 No, Stella can make nothing of it, though look of amazement has flashed into her beautiful eyes, and slight flush creeps up over her fair face.
 "V-v," muses Tom. "Can't think of any V except-but that's absurd, oi course. Must have try for the othe, name, then; on the same terms, ot course. Now for it; listen sharp, Lucy a, b, c"-the catalogue goes on until al r Lucy gives sharp and decisive nod.
 "V. R." quotes Tom, in some sur prise. " Victorio Reg6G, is it?-or, by George Reginald Vane. We'll, of al people on earth Who'd'a thunk it And here I've been suspecting- but never mind that now.'
 That Reginald Vane IS the name Lucy's brisk and emphatic series of mods leaves no doubt. Much caioling had been necessary before she would con sent to impart even this clew to the au : thorship of the letter. but the myster, once solved, she was not slow to revea all that she knew.
 "I was sitting here yesterday" sht says. "There was nothing in the bo1 then, know that. Presently comes il MT. Vane, buys some stamps, and, afte