Connecticut western news., 1880-08-28

i she acknowledged to herself, she was much more afraid than was her prisoner
 Accordingly she laid it carefully down within reach. Then, with what seemed to Tom most amazing undertaking of his strength, she announced her inten- tion of holding him until assistance should arrive.
 To him the situation was not without it's charm. It does not often happen to any of us that a pretty girl will insist on sitting next to us and holding our hands and that she was pretty, exceedingly pretty, Anstruther managed to satisfy himself in spite of the stingy light
 Once or twice he addressed remark to his fair captor, but she discouraged all attempt at conversation.
 And SO they sat in silence, while the candle burned low and finally went out, and the cold gray light of dawn crept into the room. Even this did not cause Lotta to change her position. And, looking curiously at her, the young man discovered that his stern guardian was asleepl
 How long and dark were the lashes resting on the fair cheek, he thought, gazing down at the sweet, peaceful face framed in its wealth of nut brown hair. Surely none of the young lady's ball | dresses could set off her beauty as d1d that old blue wrapper. . Tom was strongly tempted in @lis char acter of robber, to steal kiss, but there was certain odd chivalry in his composition that kept him from taking any advantage of her unconsciousness. He withdrew his hands from hers with out awakening her-such cold, little, l soft hands And no wonder. The chill breath of early morning made him shiver, although it was June.
 He might as well make her comforta- ble before he went. He groped his way into the hall. On the hat-stand lay heavy shawl. In it he wrapped his un- conscious captor as well as he could, then n left through the still open window.
 If Miss Desmond was not the belle of the college ball it was because, strictly speaking, there are no longer bellies of balls. But, in the language of the other young ladies, she received great deal of attention And how she did enjoy herself
 About the eleventh hour Cousin Jim begged to introduce his friend, MT. An struther.
 Lotta's large eyes grew larger with astonishment. MT. Anstruther com posedly requested the pleasure of 8 dance, and before she could collect her. self sufficiently to refuse, his arm encir- cled her and they were gliding over the polished floor in perfect time and meas ure.
 "You have my step exactly" said Miss Desmond, when they stopped, Hove fnen it must be by direct inspiration, for I never was known to keep time with any one before."
 Now did ever 8 man waltz toperfection without knowing it? Lotta looked at him a little contemptuously. Her thought did him injustice. Tom was not affecting modesty, only making talk to keep off the question he expected.
 "May I take you into the library There is an anxious-looking youth I should like to avoid. suspect that I have stolen his dance"
 "f you have, you are only pursuing your profession as 8 robber," laughed Miss Desmond. "What were you doing that night in uncle's dining-room?''
 Then it all came out, and Tom ex- plained and apologized, seated in an aleove of the great college library.
 ~''And how frightened you were when I and the pistol appeared on the scene p said the young lady, maliciously.
 "I was not !'-indignantly.
 You turned very pale. :"
 "Then we must have been we'll matched pair for courage. The pistol shook so in your hand that was afraid it would go off accidentally. That was the worst feature of the case, for do not believe yet that you would have been bloodthirsty enough to shoot me. J
 "I am sure I would not. I was i'm mensely relieved to wake up and find my captive fed"
 "What did you do?'
 "Counted the spoons and went tc bed"
 "The spoons were all right. There was but one thing stolen that night"
 "Mercy what was that ?"
 "Only the burglars heart !'-senti mentally.
 Lotta looked at him and began t. laugh. Then she said:
 "You might advertise for it as people do for stolen articles. And you nlight say, Of no value to any one but the owner.
 "Thank you, but am not sure tha I want it returned," said Anstruther laughing too, but letting his eyes res upon her fair face until the warm colo surged up beneath his gaze. "'Thou hast thief in either eye Would steal it back again.,
 he quoted low.
 Lotta was little glad as well as good deal sorry that her ill-used part ner at this momenj appeared in thu , doorway.
 Before that fellow comes can't yo, l promise me one more dance ?' mur l mured Anstruther.
 "I am engaged for all but the last. can give you that one if you are goinI s to stay till the end.'
 s How Miss Desmond contrived to paci y fly the rightful claimant, and how part :. ner succeeded partner till the end of tn l evening, need not be told. It is certai h that she enjoyed no dance as she di