Connecticut western news., 1879-01-08
VOL. VIII.

prOhCIuully.
 She had been down stairs brightening up the last remnant of family silver with chamois leather and whiting, in order that they might present 8 credit able appearance.
 "I know it," said Mattie; but I had to wait for the coffee to be ground, and Mrs. Mix wasn't in, and-oh, Lucilla! met such handsome young fellow in the park, with diamond studs, and he picked up my scarf, and"
 "Re wears diamond studs P said Lucilla, soberly.
 "Who the cousin from Omaha Oh, he isn't this sort of person atall /! This one has lovely almond-shaped eyes, and long, silky moustache, and"
 "Do stop rattling, Matty," said Lucilla, with gesture of despair, "and help get the table set It's late now, and"
 But, to the utter amazoment of both the sisters, colored waiter, in white apron, and generously displayed teeth to correspond, appeared, Just then, at the head of the stairs, announcing:
 Dinners ready, ladies, if you please!"
 Matty looked at Luc1lla. Lucilla re- turned her gaze with one of equal as- tonishment.
 What does he mean ?" said Mat.y.
 "t'm sure I haven't the least idea," said Lucilla.
 Up in the little dining an un- expected sight met their eyes. The table, all spread with glistening glass and china, an epergue of flowers, ferns and tropical fruit in its centre, cold roast fowls, delicate salads, steaming tureens of oysters, and huge boiled ham, stuck all over with cloves. While MT. Burgoyne, entering from an op- posite door, rubbed his hands con- placently.
 "Upon my word, cousin Lucilla, said he, !" this looks good You must live like aldermen here p
 "But it isn't our dinner p gasped Lucilla, thin king of the pound and half of beefsteak, and the quart of sweet potatoes on the kitchen table be- low.
 "Whose is it, then ?' calmly demand ed MT. Burgoyne.
 "It's some mistake" faltered poor Lucilla.
 'No mistake at all, lady," grinned the waiter. who stood ready, with a double damask napkin over his arm, to serve out the oysters and pass around the bread. (. Ord cred at the United States Hotel for Miss Carver"
 Then Lucilla introduced Matty, and Matty, shrinking and coloring, recog- nized in.," our cousin from Omaha, '' the very gentle eman with the diamond studs and silky moustaehe who had restored her scarf, and hadn't smiled at her mar ket basket.
 And it was surprising how soon they all became excellent friends, and forgot the little embarrassment incident to their first introduction.
 When the grapes, and bananas, and velvety hot-house peaches were brought on the table, and the bottle of cham pagne was opened, it transpired that MT. Burgoyne was about to stay in town on business for several weeks.
 You will be our guest, will you not ?'' cried out Matty, eagerly, with dash of rose color on either cheek, and great dark eyes all luminous with pleased ex- citement.
 But this invitation MT. Burgoyne smilingly declined. He would see them as often as he could hewould be most frequent visitor at the cottage, they might be assured, but his business for bade his being sojourner there. And he smiled to himself to see the pretty little brunette's evident disappointment at his words.
 "She is getting reconciled to cousins from Omaha" he thought. Days and weeks crept on, MT. Bur. goyne's tall figure haunted the little cottage like shadow, and pretty Matty grew to watch for his coming with fever. ish intentness.
 The mystery of the hotel banquet still remained unsolved. Mine host of the United States Hotel, when questioned upon the subject, was as imperturably uncommunicative as the sphinx itself and at last Lucilla and Matty Carver were fain to abandon the fruitless quest But on the way to tho concert-Matty be it remembered, was to sing in one o the quartettes-a mysterious pasteboarc box arrived from New York, directed te |" Miss Matty Carver.
 "What can it be ?'' cried Matty, all il 8 tremble.
 "Youu never know if you don't ope1 it and see," said the more philosophica Lucilla. Here, I'll cut the strings. And there, shrouded in innumerablt layers of oiled silk and tissue paper, ap peared on exquisite dress of ruby silk with train of glistening ruby satin, an. such lace on the bodice as our poor littl village maiden had only dreamed of never seen; while card, labeled. "Mis Matty Carver, to wear at the concert ]! was laid among the scented folds.
 Matty was very pale, with ed,eyes an, heavy lashes, when MT. Burgoyn dropped casually in that afternoon.
 "Julius," said she, "'I have foun, you out"
 Found me out, eh ?" said MT. Bur goyne, half smiling. "Am I so like conundrum
 "It was you that sent me that dress! flashed Matty.
 " Because l knew you would look lik princess in it" said Julius. coolly.