Connecticut western news., 1879-12-17

alvin at her with his head, to make em tumble down again, and her crowin and laughin and pullin at his hair. A merry Christmas to you, Mrs. Hall r says he; you didn't know what 8 Christmas gift we had las' night, did your And then he told me about the bell ringin', and the basket and all, and that I was to look out for nurse girl for the baby. Then, after he'd stopped minute, says he, very soft like, We'll take good care of her, Mrs. Hall, and keep her in Miss Mays place. was 50 struck that couldn't speak word, for in all the six years since Miss May went away we'd never durst speak her name before him. Master Johns changed man, I said to Peggy when went down stairs, aud if Miss May draws the breath O life he'll find her-mark my word and he'll bring her back again r"
 John Warder thought as he walked down street that morning, that the day had never been half so bright before, or the shop windows so gay, or the fsces he met so smiling and happy. Yesterday he would have shrunk within his great overcoat and behind his frosty mufler, intent only upon reaching his place of destination as quickly as he might, but now his look and mien so accorded with the holiday, that some little boys ran up to him with |" Merry Christmas, Sirl l" and he actually drew of his great fur gloves to feel in his pocket for some pennies to give them. Then he stepped inside toy shop, where crowd of people were gaily chatting handling the fancy wares, and bought baby's rattle-a bright thing with gilded chains and tinkling bells. As sometimes, in New England, a single day of driving wind and rain will swell the slender mountain streams to noisy torrents, and carry off the accumulated ice and snow of the long frozen winter, so the melting process once begun in John Warder's heart had swift and resistless way.
 Some procession was marching up the street with floating banners, and he stepped into 8 fruiterer's shop to wait until they had passed by. A woman stood before the counter in an old and faded cloak, her face turned away. She held a bunch of grapes in her thin hand.
 "You have none cheaper ?" she was saying. Something in the voice made him start.
 "A dollar and half pound, ma'am you can't expect them for less at this season." was the answer in careless tone, as if the shopkeeper anticipated but little profit from his customer.
 "Oould you give me ten cents worth ?
 "I suppose I could, but they're hard. ly worth the trouble of weighing" said the man, roughly and at the words the woman turned with quick, hurt mo tion, her lips trembling, and her face contracted with pain-a young face thin aud worn, but wearing traces ot great delicacy and beauty.
 Warder was at her side in an instant = he grasped her arm with breathlcs eagerness, making her look up into hi face. Her own turned white as death she gasped and would have fallen, bu he caught her in his arms. "Oh, ittl' May" he said with great sob, the1 mindful of the curious gazers who began to gather around them, he half carried half led her out, and beckoning to 8 car riage waiting near by, lifted her insid and sat down, still supporting her in hi arms.
 May May my darling l" he whis pered, "speak to me-forgive me P
 "John my own brothsr P and sh drew down his face and kissed him ol the lips.
 Few words were spoken at first ther was no noisy demonstration. The cur rent of such emotion runs deep, indeed but it is still.
 "God sent me little child last nigh to be my teacher" he said at length but ceased suddenly, as swift fusl dyed her face.
 It was yours [" he cried.
 "It was mine l" answered the mother "Oh, John it was hard thing to dc and harder even for-for my husband John-than for me /; but my first tw
 babies lie in their little graves, and no, the foul air and unwholesome Twin
 were whitening my tender little flower
 I thought perhaps you would not rejee
 her; I watched till saw you take he
 in with your own hands. Inever mea1
 to let you know until some time, whe
 she had come to be to you what-whs
 I was once. dear John, and then thongl
 perhaps-perhaps little old love migt
 live again through the newl" He did not answer, only held he closer-closer.
 "Where are we going?" she asked
 anxiously.
 "Home, May!'
 "Oh, John! can not I can not l. My poor husband! You must let me g ) to him now, this moment He lies sic and helpless, and have been gone 6 ] long alreadyr
 , "Your address, Mayl'
 She gave it, and when he had directe the cabman he drew forth, by fe sweeping questions, the condensed hi tory of six years.
 Walter was turned away from h ; situation soon after we were married, l she said !; ''we never knew why, for | had done his duty faithfully. He trie vainly to find another without recon mendations, and, discouraged at las | ~~,o 1o&& &Io oSk~v o-l Lo 1:IA