Connecticut western news., 1879-02-19

Next morning, thanks to the ungra- cious weather, he was aroused by sciatic tortures. To an elderly gentleman, newly betrothed to blooming lady greatly his junior, such an awakening was peculiarly trying. He thought rue- fully of the early visit he had promised Mrs. Vance. Should these pains in- crease, he must defer it indefinitely, or limp into her presence on crutches-an alternative too suggestive of advancing age. Flattered as he was by the widows acceptance, he could not deny that it placed him in position in some respects irksome. It admonished him that he had no further right to mfr mites :; that henceforth it was his bounden duty to be as young as he could. The reflection wearied him the clutching pain wearied him. Mrs. Dubbs afterward said she sorts as on that evening when she took in his mail. Among the letters was one that caught his eye at once.
 "DEAR FRIEND" Git ran) ,-"My poor tired father is at rest. He was seized with paraly- sis the morning after you left us, and passed away painlessly in few hours How little expected this event when we talked together My hands were full then; now they are very empty. My work here IS done. If you still believe could make happy the kind friend who has always been our benefactor, l should be glad to see you.
 "Yours, sincerely, OLIVE WAYNE"
 MT. Phoenix read this missive, re-read it, shut it into the Book of Job safe from prying Mrs. Dubbs, and drummed un- easily on the closed Bible. What pre- dicament i! Must he thrust back upon Olive this gift for which he had so lately sued? Must he thus humble her? He writhed at the thought. Must he thus humble himself? Bitterer than all, must he reInquish this tried friend of lifetime? Having reached life's autumn, must he reject its mature and appropri- ate fruits for tho rhubarb and greens of spring-time? Alas yes; he must full fill his engagement, for was he not an honorable man?" He would write at once to Olive candid statement of the case.
 But while he idled at his desk on the morrow MT. Torrey came to ask the loan of horse till his own should be in run ming order, and the deacon laid down his pen with sigh of relief.
 Feeling that he ought to tell his brother-in-law of his contemplated mar, riage, at dinner he led the conversation back to the Conference and Mrs. Vance.
 "By-the-way, met the widow this morning riding with John Vance," re- marked MT. Torrey, casually. You remember him-the brother next to Charles? He's just come home from California with his pockets full"
 "Ah?"
 "Yes. Shouldn't wonder if he took the widow. Some say they're engaged already"
 Of course the deacon knew better than that; nevertheless, he delayed his ten- der confession. And he did not write the letter. Time enough for that after he had paid Mrs. Vance the promised visit. The latter lady had certainly the first claim upon his attentions.
 Unfortunately several days of torment ing pain ensued, during which the dea- cons patience was put to 8 pretty severe test but he was at last able to seek the object of his nasty choice. He found her in her door-yard playing croquet with 8 tall, well-dressed gentleman.
 "So happy to see you, Deacon Phoenix P cried she, with voluble em- barrassment, "and so glad to introduce MT. Vance, dear Charles's brother. Dc come in."
 "I hope my tardy coming does not seem discourtcous, Mrs. Vance," said he, with affable formality, while the stranger hastened to suddenly recalled engagement. "I have not
 No-oh no" broke ill the widow. nervously.
 "I have not been we'll. Otherwise, our present interesting relations
 "Oh, MT. Phoenix p interrupted she throwing herself upon cricket at hif feet. sDo you know, am so afraid am not the one to make you happy And my friends say that the discrepancy in our ages is too great. Ought l tc marry against their wishes?"
 "You must decide that question, deal madam" responded the deacon, witt suppressed eagerness. The finger O Providence was in this. He held hi breath to make sure which way i pointed.
 "Then, if you don't mind very much Deacon Phoenix, perhaps it would b. better for us to part as friends. Ol dear hope you'll forgive me if I hay done anything wrong." .. The deacon hardly heard the closini sentence for the glad beating of hi heart. "My dear child, you have don quite right. do not reproach you, :" h said, with smile of infinite benevolence " It is natural that youth should choos to wed with youth. . "And that age should wed with age, ? he added, mentally, as, with an adie F almost paternal, he drove away in tn direction of Miss Olive's. ! He and Miss Wayne were married tn F following October, but MT. and Mrs ', Vance waited till Christmas.
 
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