Connecticut western news., 1879-09-17

waving over her forehead like shadow on snow, and falling in long curls upon neck of swan-ike beauty; most dainty little hand, and graceful foot; g form of true but delicate proportions g voice like singing birds; 8 mind highly cultivated, versed in feminine accomplishments, roguish, arch, and sedate by turns. Such was Ella Stanley, the maiden who had forsworn matrimony.
 "What think you of her ?" asked Mrs. Lee, of her cousin, the first time they were alone.
 '' She is angelic" was the earnest answer. ....
 GA pity she should live and die an old maid, isn't it, Ned ?-and waste her sweetness on the desert air."
 eff I were marrying man, I'd do my best to break her resolution"
 "But as you are not, you'll help her keep twill you ?'
 "Indeed, will,'' said he and when he sat that night in his lonely parlor, he repeated the words many times, and with increasing emphasis.
 "'Twould break my heart to see one so lovely, so truly womanly, fettered in soul and body by g welded tie. Nay, I'll help her keep. her resolution"
 And great pains he took to shield her from tempta tions of wooing nature. No cavalier but himself, a bachelor sworn, did he allow to escort her out, or wait upon her indoors. And that others might not think he was ungenerous, he never let her lack for any delicate at- tention that a marrying man might have been disposed to show. Her bouquet holder was ever filled with the choicest flowers; the little alcove window, where she made her favorite seat, was ever strewn with rare engravings and costly books {; her music stand was laden with the latest songs, her card basket filled to the br1m with perfumed invitations to the galleries of art, the concert halls, the festivity of any kind that happened in that brilliant circle. Had he been her chosen lover, he could scarcely have done more.
 " It will do for me to offer such at- tentions," he wonld say to cousin Mary, "because, though young, am not marrying man,
 "I should never allow myself to re- ceive such attentions from your cousin, had not we both forsworu matrimony, would Ella say to the same lady.
 Cousin Mary laughed in her sleeve, but like a prudent woman, never said word.
 Thus matters passed along some months, when one morning, as Edward called to take Ella out to ride, his cousin met him at the door, and with face that expressed much anxiety told him the lady was quite ill.
 "Illl why, Maryl Ella ill! Why didn't you let me know it. Have you sent for 8 physician p
 "We have done all we can for her. She was taken suddenly and violently last night; but the doctor says, if kept perfectly quiet, she will be out in a few days"
 ''I think I'll stay with you to-day. Mary, and help keep Willie still, for he is little noisy fellow, you know, and I can manage him better than any of you" ;"
 II shall be glad to have you," and. in spite of her anxiety-for Ella had been for few hours very sick-an arch smile dimpled the lips of the young matron as she ushered Edward into the nursery.
 Most patiently did he play with the little teasing fellow committed to his charge. Never a cry from the baby-boy disturbed the sick maiden's rest that day, nor on the four succeeding ones that intervened ere she was convales- cent and no lover could have seemed happier than Edward when Ella appear. ing at the parlor door, attended by his cousin, he begged and obtained per- mission to lead the pale maiden to her alcove seat.
 "The doctor says she must be kept very quiet," said Mrs. Lee, when hay ing duly seen the rich cashmere folded about the delicate creature, and the cur tains disposed so as to shield her from a breath of air, she turned to leave them. T trust her in you care, Edward. See that you keep her quiet"
 "You will find me faithful to your charge" said the young man. "And now," turning to the maiden, "how shall I amuse this conv valescent one ? What can I do that will make the hours pass pleasantly, and yet you not be wearied?"
 ''Talk to mo" was the brief reply.
 Many an hour had Edward beguiled of loneliness, in the months just passed, by his rare conversational powers, and perchance that was the reason why Ella should now in that low, sweet voice say. ",Talk to me-" But it was strange, it was "passing strange" that then, just when he wanted to converse more eager- ly than ever in his life before. he could not speak word.
 By-and-by the maiden looked up, as if amazed at the silence of her friend, His lustrous eyes were bent upon her and O, it was strange that other than a lover's eyes should beam with such tender glances And strange it was, too, that ono who had resolved to be ever " fancy free," should so blush and quiver
 "I must keep my gentle charge quiet, or Cousin Mary will complain, g whispered Edward, as he marked the trembling creature, and strangely like a love-tone sounded his voice and then he imprisoned the tiny white hand, and