Connecticut western news., 1879-04-30

The tall ungainly man stopped, with no grace except that which love gave him, and lifted her hand to his lips. He seemed no more astonished at her an- swer than he had been at the spiritual visitation of the night before. When the boys came home that night they found the professor radiant, MT. and Mrs. Kingsley beaming approval upon their daughter, and May hl f submitting to it all with the most curious expression ever seen upon any dimpled face-a compound of laughter and doubt, of fun and fear.
 Whether she was pricked by her con- science, or only frightened by the bold- ness of the game she was carrying on, they conld not tell. As soon as was possible they got her alone by herself and fell upon her, metaphorically speak ing, with an avalanche of questions.
 "May, did he really ask you to marry him?"
 "Yes."
 "But he acts as if you had said yes. :"
 "Well, so did,"
 By love P exclaimed Tom, perfectly confounded.
 "You know told you, boys, that if helped you in your fun, you must let me have mine."
 But, May May l do you know he has already asked fathers consent :? How will you get out of it? What storm there will bel''
 "She means," interrupted Jem, who had been studying her face attentively, "to let it go on till it comes to the finale, and then say no instead of yes when the minister puts the question" Tom's face was picture of constern- ation and admiration. He had held a very low opinion of the courage of girls up to this point, but here was one who was willing to go beyond him.
 'Did you think of this last night when you wouldn't tell us what you were going to doa" he asked, humbly.
 "Of course did,
 "Only think, Tom, he believed every word of it, after all p put in Jem.
 They congratulated each other upon having perpetrated successful joke but still their countenances wore very uneasy expression.
 "After all, May, it's little too bad, ? said Tom, hesitatingly. "The profes' sor is good sort of man, though he is such huff. We won't spoil your fun, of course, but just look at it before you go ahead. Have you thought what ar awful row there will be when it comes out?"
 "It's too late to stop now," said his sister, faintly, as if she were a little alarmed herself at the prospect.
 "Well, anyway, May can marry me and so get out of the scrape," said Jem taking her hand consolingly.
 "She'd better marry you right aftel the other ceremony, then,' answered Tom, ominously. "You'd better take her out of fathers reach as fast as possi ble. He thinks everything of the olt professor.
 "Well, why shouldn't ?" asket Jem, with confidence. "It's just as we'll no as any time May won't mind"
 And indeed May did look so relieved at this proposal, after the fashion of
 child who has unexpectedly grasped , .. torpedo, that Tom began to think i would be the best way out of the scrape after all.
 To be sure, the pair would have noth , ing to live on after they were married except his sisters little legacy, whicl l would not go far, and, besides, whicl
 could not be claimed for year, till tn young lady was of age. But Tom had cheerful confidence in Jem's abilities l and as great confidence in his sister.
 They finally settled it among then d selves that this was to be the denout j. naerat, and afterward tried to look as :. everything was all right. s One of them at least failed ignomin | ously. Tom was attacked with fits ( u self-reproach every time he chanced y meet the professors eye, and whenev' = the good unconscious man showed hi
 any trifing kindness would rush out }. the house as if he were a convicted crim y nal. This went on for few month 'f Tom growing more and more conscienc Il stricken, May more and more silent ar
 timid, till at last the powers that l s were moved to set the wedding day. B. They all felt kind of relief at thi
 The joke which had seemed so ludicro1 le at first had grown into species of nigh I mare, which bestowed them all merc d lessly. May submitted to the weddi1 I preparations with a quietness very u B. like her. She avoided solitary inte d views with the professor but as he h, a far too great 8 reverence for her to SC, h them, this conduct did not attract er tention. There was much wonderi1 d and many comments among the gossi i'd of the village over this singular and a as parently unsuitable engagement; b De Miss May had always had a reputati III for doing unexpected things, so at ls
 the wondering settled down into acq, in essence.
 or By the morning of the wedding-d t. both Jem end Tom were beginning