Connecticut western news., 1879-11-26

he received an extra attention which ] am never likely to forget. Two gentle. men came along together, both walking slowly one with his hands behind him and trailing cane along the gravel, as he listened to the conversation of the other. The man who was listening glanced toward us as we passed, caught the arm of his companion, and dropped his cane upon the path.
 "Good God, Baumann look at that child P was the exclamation which star tied me as we'll as his companion.
 I glanced down, fearful that some. thing had happened to my boy without my knowledge but little Paul was tot. tering toward the cane, the head oi which was strangely ieweled. and Espazk line sEith dianaopda ip tha. SIT. ..--s
 "Paul," l cried, "you must not"
 "Let the child pick it up," said the man, who had dropped the cane "I am very fond of children"
 Paul picked up the stick, and l, anx. ious to be gone, said, "Give 1t to the gentleman, Paul there's a gcol boy and now let US make haste i; mamma will wonder what has become of us."
 The thin, gray mans hand was trem- bling as he received the cane from the hand of the child, and he said, in a husky voice:
 "What is your name-PaulP" 
 Es-Paul, was the reply, confident and unabashed.
 "Paul what, my fine little fellow ? Who is the father of this child P he added, turning suddenly to me, and with singular evidence of importance in his inquiries. "Where does he live What"
 "What does it matter ?" interrupted the other, with 8 hearty laugh. "Let us go on. These English children are all alike--fat, healthy, handsome cherubs, who lose everything but their fat as they grow up, I think. ret us go on please; they will be waiting for us. You forget"
 "Ah yes, forget" The two men walked on, and I ob. served that the taller.man drew the hand of his companion thiough his arm as if to lead him away, or to give him SUD- port if it were needed. I was puzzled by the manner of these two gentlemen, until I was in Fulham Road not many streets from home. Here they were both painfully brought to my remem- brance again, for suddenly, as if he had risen from the ground, the dark man witk the long mustache was standing at my side.
 "I beg your pard on for troubling you, my good wom an" he said, "but do you remember my friend speaking to you and thls child ?"
 Jumped at his voice so close at my ear, looked hard at him, and felt at once distrustful. How was that-and SO soon? How was it that to my un- impressionable heart there came the whisper of four words, "Be on yos4r guards" Is there some hidden, un- known feelings to warn us at times of danger. of false friend, or sure ene- my? Is there Fate, or not? lam too ignorant to know, but this m an was like Fate to me.
 shrank away from him I drew the childsquickly to the other side, placing myself between Paul and him, for no reason at which my fears could guess.
 II hardly remember" answered, sullenly ''so many people notice the child, and speak to him."
 "Ah well. It was in Keusington Gardens, over there."
 "Very likely"
 The man twisted his mustache, and looked down at me attentively. My hard grim face was turned away, my eyes were steady and keeping the path before me well in view, but was watching him for all this.
 "The gentleman who was with me is 6 celebrated artist, and would be glad to sketch that boy, to introduce him into 8 historical picture, the likeness to the character which he wishes to portray being very striking. Do you think the parents would object if"
 "I am sure they would object, said, interrupting him.
 Money would be no consideration, and one or two sittings would be suffl . cient. One sketch in the child's own home might do even."
 1.-The parents would not like anything of the kind," and increased my pace, but the speaker did the same. I had grown terribly afraid of his persistence |; l knew nothing of art or artists, and did not understand what he was saying, or believe in him. saw in all this only an excuse, and this was strange.
 You cannot possibly know" he urged "and perhaps few pounds to the father, if poor-"
 "His father is very proud"
 "There is nothing derogatory in"
 "Good day."
 Will you allow me to inquire, for myself? Will you give me the address?"
 Mo-" answered bluntly.
 You are very obstinate woman, l am sorry to see. My friend has been two years searching for aface like that to copy" he continued; "and I have been searching with him. It is hard to lose chance. If you only understood art, my good woman, you would sympa- thize with our pursuit. It is so slight a favor, and coming from so great an art ist as my friend, it is compliment, solemnly assure you"
 "I do not understand. Good-day."
 "If five pounds, now, to you"
 "Let me alone. have nothing more