Connecticut western news., 1880-03-17

she talked at least he brlghtened un- der it always, and it made him laugh. He never bored her with sense and long but she was never in his without finding herself after ward thinking about things which he had said, and looking up points of in- formation suggested by his talk. He was so kind-hearted, too-always so kind He didn't sheer against her dia- tribes against love and lovers and he seemed to understand and be little sorry for her, left out in the cold, soli- tary in the midst of the sisterly circle once so one in interest and so closely united. Here was genuine friend at last, she rehected-a friend of her own and comforsed thereby for her losses, she grew little more tolerant of the happiness of other people; and even when, little later, a great wave of sur prises and sudden changes broke over the home and all in it, still the toler- ance continued.
 For, first, John Norman had part nership offered him in South America, and he and B unice had to be got ready at two months notice to sail to their new home. And while Polly was toil- ing over the hurried preparations which was all that time made possible, Susan Gilmore, her one special friend, called one morning, and with burst of emo- A;o-, ouSko 1yox-on4od S,, &bo otoid Qro confded the fact that she was engaged engaged to o. O., who was the love- Hest, dearest man that ever was, though Polly had been so unkind as not to find it out-a fact she (Sue) was very glad of now-and they were to be married in six weeks, and sail for China directly afterward. And would her dearest Polly forgive her, and promise to love O. O. all she possibly could, just for her sake?
 "You too? ?" was all Polly's reply. But she put her arms around Sues neck with tear and sob, and all was smooth between them. Sue, who had dreaded the interview, was amazed at Polly's forbearance. A change had evi- dently come over the spilit of her dream. Trials, we are told, have chastening effect on the character. Was it her trials which were thus blessed to Polly
 After that, all was bewilderment and confusion dire till the two weddings were over. Eunice and John departed the day after theirs, and a Hull fell upon the weary household. Mrs. Patten went up stairs to lie down. Polly, who sighed for fresh air, departed for walk with John Gilmore, who missed his sister so much, poor fellow {! and Amy, the ca' dette of the family, prepared to cele- brate their newly recovered freedom by adorning and making beautiful the din. ing-room, now rescued from courtine purposes, and restored again to the com mon use of the household.
 A busy afternoon indeed did little Amy make for herself, but it was merry one, and she sang as she worked. Every vase in the room she filled with violets and wild flowers, or apple blooms from the just blossomed orchard. The cur. tains were pulled to exactly the ideal angle, the chairs regrouped, all the hor. rid look taken away, Amy thought, as if the room were meant for only two, and for no one else. It was dusk whe1 she finished, and curling up on the sofs corner, she awainted with impatiencs Polly's return-Polly, who had hated the love-making as much as she had and would be so pleased! Polly wal the one person in the house of who's. sympathy Amy felt quite sure.
 She was long in coming, but she camt at last. Amy heard her step on thu porch, and with it another step, louder
 irmer. Surely that tiresome John Gil more WAS not coming ir to spoil every thing this first pleasant night. No; h. had come to see papa. Amy heard hin tap at the door of the "den," while Pol ly ran up stairs. He emerged as she cam down :; there was long confabing i, the entry; but at last the front doc shut with delightful emphasis, an, Amy jumped up from the sofa to enjo, the effect of her surprise.
 "Come in-oh, do come in l" sh cried. CT want you to see if the dea old room doesn't look lovely. I've beel all the afternoon doing it, 50 that might be nice for our first evening Isn't it pleasant to have room to sit il again? Aren't you glad that the wed ding is over, and all the tiresome love
 making, and we can have cozy littl times at home like other people ? Why Polly, how queer you look Don't 70,
 like it What makes you do so ?"-fo Polly, half tearfuhy, was kissing an
 fondling the child.
 "Oh, do, Amy darling, I do like
 very muoh," pleaded poor Polly, "bu -only-my pet, I'm afraid you'll b
 very disappointed but John Gilmore i
 coming here this evening to see ms, an
 I'm afraid shall have to ask you to le
 us have this room."
 "John Gilmore! Good gracious
 Polly Patten "-with almost a shriek--
 "you're not engaged to him ? You don
 mean that ?''
 "Y-e-e-s," faltered Polly. "Oh Am
 dear, don't look 50 distressed !''
 CT will look distressed; have
 right to-" cried Amy, with burst (
 sobs. "After all you said /! A ma } named John, too-three Johns in tn familyl Oh, Pollyl And you who dt clared you hated men named John We'll, after this, I never,a never WI ! believe in any again."
 "Amy dear, I talked great deal ( nonsense. You must forget it. I didn