Connecticut western news., 1880-12-22
Nor so BAD AS HE THOUGHT.

Nor so BAD AS HE THOUGHT. "Here I am-Elinor Royston my education finished and myself ready to commence life, with fortune of $500 6 year and large and varied assortment of old valentines, a canary which cannot sing, pug dog with bad temper. Oh! and heap of hideous dresses and an adorable new ulster"
 So exclaimed young lady as she stood in momentary stiffness upon the hearth-rug, after a breathless burst into the drawing-room of Oaktree Hall. The master of the mansion, Graham Daglish, had been reading in the peaceful enjoy ment of splendid fire and luxurious armchair, which, upon the girls en- trance, he had quilted, and came forward few steps to greet her.
 "Well, said Miss Royston, and after moments pause, in @ tone of wonder, and gazing frankly into the eyes of her companion, "are you not going to ask me how I amp"
 "How do you do?" Daglish nodded, , coolly. "I thought you were too much engaged in taking that inventory of your property for such ceremony as shaking hands,"
 "How do you like my ulster? Don't you like it? It's all pockets" she said, thrusting her hand into one receptacle, then into another.
 "What silly baby you are, Daglish cried, trying very hard to frown and not to smile at the lovely, glowing face now raised to his.
 "Do you want everybody to be the Methuselah that you are ?" Elinor pouted.
 A shadow crossed his countenance al the random words. Elinor Royston was nineteen; Graham Daglish thirty nine and as the dew and sunshine are neces sary to the life of flowers, so seemed this wayward, winning girl to Graham Daglish to be necessary to existence When, twelve years ago, she was left ar orphan to their care, both Daglish ant his mother regarded the trust es serious and unwelcome responsibility, but time had changed both their views. The ole lady had called Elinor her sunshine, anc Graham had grown to love the sweet various hooded girl with all the strength of his resolute nature.
 Elinor's late absence at school was { source of deep regret, and now, upo1 her return home for good, high festiva would be held in the hearts and in tht mansion of Oaktree.
 "Are you not glad that I have fin ishsd with that detestable school ?" sh exclaimed, after short pause.
 "It depends upon how much yol know. What can you tell me conscien tiously you have learned, Nell ?"
 She took her stand immediately be fore him, and checked off her accom- plishments on the pretty fingers of he left hand as she spoke.
 Music, she answered.
 "Voice and piano gymnastics, should say."
 "German, the whole of the Frencl language, drawing, painting and geogra phy."
 "Could you stand a good ex nina ton on the capital cities of Europe ?' h interrupted.
 "I should not like it," she frankl allowed. "But what does it matter Everybody is not allowed an old book worm like you. Perhaps when I ar your ageI shall know nothing else."
 "I have yet to learn that ignorancei so interesting" said Daglish, somewha grossly, under the irritation of her allu sions.
 -9 So am ignorant now, and I wa sly before. You need not have tol nc so in the first hour that I am a bme-at Oaktree, mean," she said >in Youd correction of herself.
 CSsupied with his own bitter refee tions, he did not notice the halt an change of expression. But his indiffel ence was differently constructed by tn girl, who gathered up her hat and gloves and swept from the room in anger.
 He gave me no welcome, although I gave him so many opportunities, sh said to herself as, brushing the tear from her eyes, she shut the door.
 However melancholic the effect wa upon his intellect. MT. Graham Daglis had soon to witness the terrible process for the next day the mansion of Oaktre was full with Christmas visitors, an one of these, MT. Arthur Young, fel straightway in love with the brillian beauty and charming ways of Elino Royston, and his tender sentiments MT Young by no means concealed from al interested world. Miss Royston seemed too, to be receiving his attention wit favor and complacence.
 Daglish might witness the position of events with despair of spirits, but a her guardian he could make no reasona