Connecticut western news., 1879-09-17
VOL. Tx.

the spacious rooms.
 "Don't you wish you hadn't been my cousin, or hadn't studied physiology, coz, and had set your cap for me9 One would think. to hear you talk, you were tired of Will, or that he was most brutal husband and hateful father"
 "Beware, sir P and the little white hand was raised most threateningly 1; "beware how you say word about my husband-about that child's father l You'll find me very amazon P
 "Beg pardon, Cousin Moll i; but didn't you say" ....
 "Never mind what Isaid. A woman's words against her husband had better be forgotten 1y those who hear, if they would stand in her graces long,"
 "Well, to return then. Suppose you had set your cap and hadn't caught me, what then? Would you have died of broken heart, COZ ?"
 's But would have caught you, Ned. Nay, never, never look so confident about it, as though it were impossible for a lady to storm your O. tied afrec- tions, and bear them off witt the blush of victory on her cheek. Y UT heart is not so impregnable as ye u think, sir. You will never die bachelor-a grand father perhaps you may"
 "Never,' said Edward, with much earnestness. "Why, woman, you are madP Would you despoil your first- born of his princely heritage9 Have I not made my will, and in that precious piece of parchment bequeathed, upon my decease, all that own to this bonny wee COZ of mine ?-this Will, one curl of whose head is worth more than the tresses of thousand maidens ?"
 Five years from this and little Will may whistle for his share of your es- tates A little, dark-eyed, princely- looking youngster, answering to the nome,a of Ned Somers, will claim it all, unless, indeed, some fairy-like sister should cry for division of the spoils.'
 "You1l clear me out, now," exclaim- ed the youthful bachelor, tossing Will into his mothers lap-'sa wife and twain of little ones at the first glimpse into futurityl Don't take second peep, Mol, for worlds-I beg you, don't P And he hurried off into the streets, nearly upsetting in his way a little beggar girl, and quite upsetting her crazy basket; seeing which, he drew her from the medley of cold pota- toes, clammy cakes and picked bones ere she had time to shed @ tear over them, and sent her on her way rejoic- ing, with the burden of a new basket filled with fresh bread and pies, and wishing in her heart that just such handsome man would run against her every day.
 "You look very happy, Cousin Moll," said Edward, as he entered her parlor one day and found her folding newly received letter; "gueas you have some good news"
 "Guess I have, Ned-news that will interest you too. A young, beautiful, and highly accomplished lady, an old schoolmate of mine, is coming here next week to pay me long. promised visit
 "And must look out for my heart, must I?" .s..
 "Ah, no, that's the best of it, and that's what I want to tell you. She writes" reading from the letter, "you used to laugh at me, Mary, because I inveighed so terribly about matrimony, and say, in spite of all my protestations, that would be a bride ere I were out of my teens. But you were wrong. I have seen twenty-two summers, and daily do I rejoice that am yet maid en. Tell me not of welded bliss you can never tempt me from my resolution to remain fancy free.' Surrounded by my books, and using as feeling prompts my pencil or pen, free to come and go when I care, know that I am hap pier far than if bound by nuptial VOWS to the willfph passion of man, tied hand and foot by domestic duties, ser want to wooden cradle.'"
 "There, that'lI do, little co.," ex- claimed Ned, with a mocking laugh " don't I pray you, read any further, or 1 shall fall in love with this friend of yours on account of her good sense. When is she to make her appearance9 I am impatient to see her-a woman that won't get married. Pray, did she ever have an offer Pa bona fide one. I mean"
 "Yes, indeed to my certain knowl- edge she has sent six suitors off dis tracted. Take care she don't send you 1"
 "I am not a marrying man, you know"
 "Shall I peep into futurity againp"
 Not if you love me, coz. But when comes this lady faira''
 "Next week, if nothing happens. But I warn you of your heart, Ned. Don't lose it, for she will keep her word, now, after refusing the men she has l'
 And who wants her to marry me Not I-In help her keep her resolu- tion."
 "And she'll help you keep yours, I'll warrant; Q partnership profitable to both. We'll see, Ned, how it prospers. l tremble, though, for Wiilie's fortunei"
 Beware, ccz, or you'll have me knocking over little beggar girls again." and he departed.
 The maiden came at the appointed time, and greatly indeed was the young bachelor disappointed in her appear ance. Instead of the lank, awkward, ugly-looking s2inster he had expected