Connecticut western news., 1879-11-12

because l was considered true to my first love; :; I, double traitor to past an6 present-Ioved Gerald Hall.
 I did not know my own heart fo1 many long months. It was deal brothers love I received, @ tender sis. ter's affection gave, I said to my heart and so unconseiously I let his image grow to my soul, till I could not tear il away. Charles faded away, and face his-and not his-took his place. The merry, sunny laugh was never so deal as was now the grave, tender smile.
 More than year had gone by, an6 December chill was in the air when Mattie came to my room one morning, with unwonted clouds on her fair face.
 Here's confusion," she said, talk. ing me as usual into her confidence. ''Auntie reminds me this morning that next week shall. be of age, and you know all about Gera1d and me. I thinh myself he's in rovs with your Gracious, don't jump that way, Agnes. Of course, don't suppose you care for him, you quiet mouse; for you are infinitely too proper to love another woman's .fance, and then there was that wonderful Charles. But he is fond of you. If ii were not for auntie, now but you see she's set her heart on the match. We'll, there'll be one suicide, for Guy Howard will hang himself!'
 "Guy Howard ?"
 "You don't know him Mrs. Mars fields nephew; 8 paan after my own heart, with some spirit. We'll, never mind him P
 But she did mind him saw, for she sat quiet for some moments.
 ''We'll have to submit" " she said, at last. ''It is mercy you don't care for Gerald, for it's all arranged now. You'll come to the wedding, I suppose, and please wear white, for am supersti tious about colors at wedding."
 And she went off, leaving me in 8 strange turmoil of pain and irresolution.
 I could not stay! loved him {! Not with the girlish love I had given Charles, but with woman's whole heart, I loved him! I could not stay to see him married, and married, too, to a woman who loved him not. Some wild scheme of warning him of Mattie's feelings rushed through my brain, but I discarded 1t, and resolved to go away. l would go somewhere and hide myself and my new sorrow from all eyes. Then I thought of my uncle. Only two days more and he would welcome his guests to New Years party again. had met Charles there; I had first seen Gerald on that anniversary; would go, and live one night in memory of happier days, and then-then-well, the future wo lid decide. So I went to Mrs. Hall and told her l was going to Milford.
 "You will return soon ?" she said, wistfully.
 "You will be alone," I said, "when Gerald takes his wife for wedding tour. Then I will return."
 She held my hand 9 moment, looking into my face with a loving, pleading gaze that nearly unnerved me.
 "Yes," she sad, "I will be alone. It was her fathers will, you know, and I would like to see Gerald happy"
 kissed her for answer. It was not we'll to talk about it, and then I bade her farewell. I felt that I could not meet Gerald again.
 
 Fly uncle's welcome was cordial-nay, more, 1t was very loving. He was glad that I remembered his pet anniversary, and I promised to lay aside my mourn ing for that evening and try to forget sorrow for time.
 Lizzie was home with her handsome husband by her side May was engaged, and had another new face to present to me; Harry was back again from his tour, and uncle was in his element. The evening was clear and cold, pleasant as a winters evening could be. Early hours were kept at Milford, and the rooms were we'll filled by the time that Matte would have been dressing her hair. ] wore white silk dress, and Lizzie had twisted some jassamin sprays in my hair.
 The dancers were all in motion, every body gay and full of life, when I stole out in the library for moments re- pose. It seemed as if my heart would break. The rush of memory and pres ent pain was so keen, so bitter, that I could scarcely keep from crying.
 So, standing by the window, pressing my hot forehead on the cold glass, I tried 50 still my anguish and maintain the composure necessary for the even- ing. While stood there step crossed the room. It was my uncle or Harry, I said, and did not stir until was drawn into close embrace, and the voice I loved best spoke:
 "Agnes, my darling, my love-"
 "Let me go!'' cried.
 He loosed his hold at once.
 "Oh, Agnes, do you not love me.
 "Where is Mattie? How can you come here?" said.
 "Mattie Agnes, do you think care for Mattie p
 "But your mother !'' J said.
 My mother would not see me an un- loving and unloved bridegroom. We have had our explanations, Agnes. Mat tie is engaged to Guy Howard, and have come to seek my wife here. Is she here, Agnes ?''
 "I don't know; shall I inquire?" I said, saucy for the first time in the flood of hanrinf ss And than I ,,oaklol i,nAo