Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-28

-ra5ya 1i 3ai 2t-- one bent upon her. ''Why," with momentary enthusiasm, Hsshe would marry anybody to please fatherl But" she added more quietly, however much she may pretend when the time comes, Ishall know it is only because she is so good, ahd would not vex or cross him for worlds II shall remember how often she has cried at the thoughts of it." -.e.a.
 Mir. Weston was pacing up and down the room now, Pollie'swords apparently finding 8 ready echo in hIs heart.
 ''lt must be prevented, at last he said as if to himself. Why. Felix himself, ,"-and then stopped abruptly
 "Yes," said Pollie, raising her head, ''there is just that one faint hope-he may not like her ]" ...a e
 'Not much fear of that.''
 "Not much hope, you mean. But MT. Wes- ton," watching him anxiously as she spoke, to see what effect her words might have. ''he may be nice n"-evidently the possibility was faint one-stand if he is"
 .I am going to ask him-to tell him, l
 "But What P, a.a. .,,..,...
 Why, how 1t is that Charity agreed, just for fathers sake; and quite made up my mind, "@with quiet determination, ''to try and save her, because know she would not do it herself. So," with along breath, ''l am going to ask him to 50 away. Oh, MT. Weston, do you think he will go?"
 'Very little doubt of it, should say. That is, of course, provided he believes you. Why, what on earth, under those circumstances, would make him wish to remain ?"
 Why, the money, of course"
 uarAo hErii seemed about 10 make hasty remark, but after seconds pause, he said qnietly, 'No, no, Miss Pollle, you are hard on him. don't think" with smile, ''that even Felix War. burton" and then suddenly breaking off. ''But don't let us talk about him yet. ex- pect we shall have quite enough of him by and by let us strive to forget him for the pres ent."
 ''And you won't forget" said Pollie, Eff any idea comes to you that would set it right, to let me know. Don't you know anything bad about him that you could tell father ?"
 ''I have no doubt I could rake up good deal if tried, but the question is. would your father believe me ?"
 "I believe he would" said Pollie earnestly, ''at any rate, you could but try"
 Soft hearted, tender Pollie was becoming a perfect dragon in her attempts to guard the
 
 ty be stolen from under her watchful eyes, sooner or later. Perhaps Mir. Weston did think of plan of help, fer the next morning, when breakfast was over, and he lad heard Mr. Warburton ask for Polly's presence in the library, where he wanted someone to read to him, and had watched Cousin Sarah preparing 10 slip away to her usual morning occupation of letter writing, he asked Miss Warburton if she would play game of billiards with him. Asked her boldly before them all, so that any excuse would have been difficult; and when she attempted a faltering remark about ''many duties" he replied that he would wait till all the duties were over. "And it is raining hard, you see, so out-of- door amusement is impossible"
 And Charity, not knowing what else to say, answered, ''Yes."
 Weston dawdled on to the billisrd-room. A bright fire was burning there, and everything looked cheerful. He sauntered over to the rug, and stood leaning against the mantel piece, with hls eyes turned in the direction oi the door. Would she come?
 "You have been a long time, he said, and there was something in his tone which brought delicate flush into Miss Warburton's cheek Il am sorry" she replied. 'Have really kept you waiting3 Let us have our game al once, or Pollie will be wanting me to go anC take her place in the library. l have promised to go at 12."
 II do not want to play" he said slowly. ''I want to talk to yon."
 'Then you have lured me here under false pretenees think" she made answer in g would-be playful manner nevertheless she did move few steps nearer the fireplace as she spoke, to hear what he had to say.
 But before he had time to break the silence, the door was openod again to admit Pollie- an anxious, harassed looking Pollie.
 "Charity, dear, the second post is in, and with sudden, impetuous haste-"fathel wants you to come at once and answer, Cousin Felix's letter."
 Cousin Felix" repeated Charity faintly, the color slowly fading away; 'oh, Pollie" "'
 ''He is in London" went on Polie excited ly; he did not even come here first, but he has written. and father wants you to go and write to him.
 "Oh, poor Charity" went on Pollie, taking the two slim white hands in hers, utterly heed less of the spectator cf this little drama, who was leaning up against the mantel-shelf. What possible interest could it have for him.
 "Oh, poor Charity, would have written, offered to do so but father said he would rather you did it." ..'.
 .'Of course, {" said Charity, very low. "Why, Pollie," with faint attempt at speaking lightly, "I am the oldest, cannot have you take all my duties from me! You two" but but she dld not give glance toward the tai figure on the earth-rug, "must play together You will have time for a good game before luncheon" and she turned away.
 "Oh, MT. Weston" cried Pollie, as the door closed behind the slight figure, ''he is coming now. He is actually in Eugland," with lit tie gasp.
 ssWhen is he coming P"
 Mr. Weston was no longer calm, disinter ested spectator, there was something of fire and energy in the dark eyes.
 "Wednesday next week, and to-day i' Thursday" ..... ..
 "Wednesday" he repeated; ''that is the day of Lady Burnett's fancy ball, is it not ?"
 ''Yes, Charity is going. and you also, are you not ?" ......
 ''I think not. shall probable have left by then"
 Are you going away ?" cried Pollie. ''l am so sorry"
 s'That is very kind of you, Miss Pollie. The world is not so very wide; perhaps we may meet again."
 But Pollie shook her head disconsolatelY.
 "I shall go away" she sad. Il cannot play. I can think of nothing but Cousin Felix and poor Charity-I must go and see what she is doing But" turning back and glancing uI at the steady eyes which looked 80 sympa thetfc, ''all the same l thank you very much for having been so kind. 1 am sure if you could have thought of plan, you would wish, !" little wistfully, ''that my plan haC been right one, because it might have done some good" .54
 Abusing Felix, eh, to your father ?" 'Yes, but still it would have been mean, know. Charity would not have done it, so, wi a sivh-ssRut if dnss oaam a nitv that ahf did not have a chance!"
 ''She shall have chance" said MT. Westor with sudden determination, and drawing him self very upright as he spoke-spoke almos more to himself than to Pollie. ''Such as il is, she shall have It.
 Aud then Pollie crept away sorrowful and heavy-hearted, for MT. Weston's vague prom. ises did not impress her with much hope or comfort.
 CHAPTER III.