Litchfield enquirer., 1880-04-01
LTTCI4FII1I3D, CONN. THURSDAY APRIL 1880 ~

travel alone to New York. 1 am always more comfortable in my mind when 1 am near to protect you in time of need" And really felt so.
 MT. Witherton," she said, concisely II dislike platitudes."
 We sped on in silence, the snow was so deep; and at each station that we stopped at we dropped passenger or two, till but few were left, for we were an accommodation train. At last we passed through Newark :: and then the poor girl, who had hestatingly risen once or twice, and sat down again, as if afraid of carrying out her intentions, at last sprang up desperately, and made her way to us. She looked once in Mrs. W s face, and then turned to me.
 "When 1 left Washington this morning" |" she said, almost inaudibly, II expected to 20 right through New York to my home, but the conductor tells me we shall not make the con- nection with the Eastern train am all alone, sir, and much alarmed, for never have been before i'll New York, except once, when passed through without stopping. Will you tell me where can remain for the night?''
 had known that there existed some strange sympathy between that girl and myself when our eyes had met in passing, and now as she looked me in the face and appealed to me, felt that could do and dare great deal for her sake; but Mrs. Witherton's opinions have always strongly influenced me, and knew that she was not putting the most favorable construction upon what was passing at that moment. Still, there have been epochs in my lie when have remembered that 1 am man and gent nteman, and also an independent one in my views, however my actions may have been curbed by circumstances. And this was one of those moments.
 ''This lady and myself,' said I, motioning toward my wife, ''are going to the New York Hotel tonight, and if you so desire, will take charge of you, and will also see that you are comfortably housed, and tomorrow Slorning will attend to your safely getting to the East ern train" ... -.
 Perhaps you may manage to make it con- .venient to take her to her home yourself jelly suggested Mrs Witherton,
 ''Oh mo-" cried the girl, innocently ''but if you sylease, sir, could see you a moment alone "
 She saw assent in my eyes, and led the way to the rear of the Car. and turning away des- derately from Mrs. Withertons looks, I fol- lowed her.
 ''When we get to the city. can you take me to the hotel in the COTS s' she asked, with great trepldation.
 ''Certainly can, in either car or stage But do you prefer them to oarriage?" I asked.
 ''Oh, so much :" she said, thankfully; and after moments hesitation she added, Il have so little money with me that 1 fear to in- cur much expense" and then she turned away and quietly resumed her old seat
 1 returned to my wifes side.
 ''Was her communication a state secret 2" said she
 Certainly not. She seems afraid of hacks, or drivers, or something, l really do not know what; only she begged me to take her to the hotel in street car" l felt an invincible re- pugnance to letting my wife know the true reason of the request.
 We reached the city by ten o'clock, and telling my pr0tegee to keep close to us, l gave my arm to Mrs. Witherton and looked around for car as soon as we got out of the depot to carry US up to our destination. I had just signaed one, and turned to my party to get them in, when 1 caught sight of my wife step- ping into comfortable carriage
 ''Why, My dear" exclaimed, ''I thought you were gong with Ws." The driver was waiting, SO that 1 was naturally needless of my "Was it not decided that we should take car ?"
 ''l really am not quite certain of whom you are speaking Mir. Witherton, when you say we, she answered; ''but l, for one, do not care to tramp to that vulgar conveyance over my kid boots in snow aud sush. You may do as you please"
 might" certainly, any one ''might" who 1ld not count the cost; but sage experience lad taught me great deal. However, I could not, and 1 would not even if 1 could, nave left that lovely young creature alone at night in a strange city; so turned away and stopped another car, and handed her in.
 Seen now in the full light of the brilliant gas jet, as we passed along, she certainly was ovely, with clearness and freshness of color ng aud brightness in her full hazel eyes and white even teeth. Ii is true that there was ack.of expression, and an absence of all that would be suggestive of intelligence or quick mprehensiveness but 1 confess 1 only thought of this years afterward. 1 give an opinion, as l have always considered myself udge of feminine beauty, although circum- stances may not have permitted me 10 prove ny taste.
 We reached our destination at my old head quarters, the New York Hotel, almost as soon IS my wife did, whose skirts 1 saw turning he corner of the second story staircase as we entered (this was before elevators became a and then 1 turned to my conpan- on to learn her wishes
 She was gazing wonderingly and appre- lensively around her, evidently thinking of
  ne no clew just then to her anXieties.
 ''You need not feel any uneasiness,' sad. This place IS almost like home to me, and can make any arrangements for you that you leslre. Are you afraid of being alone to- light for if you are 1 will ask my wife" But here my courage failed
 ''Not at all frightened" she said, 'but I mould like an inexpensive room somewhere. would not mind where they put me"
 ''I will attend to that And now will you lave some supper7 Perhaps after your cold ourney-"
 ''No, no, I thank you," she answered, hastily. T would like to go at once to bed'
 secured her room, and gallantly went up i've pair of stairs to show her the way. At he threshold she stopped.
 ''l am very much obliged to you," she sa1d You have been very kind. Can depend lpon you to arrange that shall be called at 'even tomorrow morning, as l am told the pill and repay yourself what owe you ?'' Her beautiful dark hair had fallen down and lung around her, and she looked so gentle and ovely that determined to do my duty by her n spite of-anybody
 ''There will be time enough for that" 'aid putting her thin little purse back into Ter hand. ''I will come up and call you my 'elf early tomorrow morning, and made ar 'ange everything for you. 1 will also take you to the station, and see you started safely ,n your journey" She gave me little bow md sweet smile. Indeed, I shah be most happy to do so,' added, with spirit. and hen the door closed.
 And then I also remembered that I did not even know where Mrs. Wltherton had domi- ,iled herself, and 50 prowled around on the different floors, interviewing the stray cham per maids l met (with very unsatisfactory re- 'ults) as to what room had been assigned to all stout lady in an iron-gray ulster, and at ast descended to the office and found her number
 1 tapped at her door, waited moment to whisper close to the key-hoe, 1t is only me- ny dear, and then walked in Mrs Wither- on was seated before a comfortable fire, still n her Ulster (for had forgotten that the keys 'f Ter trunk were in my pocket, SO she had been unable to get at her dressing wrapper. Her feet were thrust into pair of knitted Pol