Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-28

to please his father, and then afterward she were to discover that though she were heart whole, and might therefore learn to love him !; yd that he had some fair ideal that she could never hope to made him forget, then it would ba ah so sad-and once more the tears would flow, and in the dark Charity would creep to Pollie's room, and wake her up by diat of many kisses, to be soothed by means ofthe chlld's ever-ready sympathy. And so at length a morning dawned when Charity Waburton knew that if all went we'll, or ill rather, before the sun set she should have looked upon the face of her future husband. Fol in answer to that little grudgingly writ- tennote had come another letter from Uncle Edward, stating that Felix would leave by a cestain steamer which would bring him to Liverpool on the 27th of January; and Silver dalp was only about couple of hours rail from Liverpool.
 The daylight has died away, the candles are lit. and in lare bedroom the Misses War. burton are considering very important ques- ton, namely, what Charity shall wear, on this eventfuf night. Yet, in spite of certain pathetic look in Miss Warburton's eyes, which betrays that life is not all smiles and sunshine, and despite the fact that the expected stran- ger is this long talked of. much-dreaded cousin yet still he is man, and Charity is a young and pretty woman, so that important matter of the toilette cannot be quite set aside:
 All too soon there came tap at the door, and Miss Warburton's maid had returned to tell them that the gentlemen were already dressed, and in the drawing room, and that Mir. Warburton was asking for his daughter.
 ''l will come"
 And when the door had closed, Charity rose to her feet, still holding Pollies hand in hers ..
 T wish you were going to dine downstairs, PoRie darling, but four is better number, 80 father said; but you will be in the draw ingroom after dinner. wont you 2"
 Yes"
 Charity walked to the door, and then com- ing hurriedly back, and kissing the child again: ''Pollie," she said quickly, eagerly, twill you promise me not to-dislike him ? Even if you don't quite like him at first, will you try to wait little before you quite de- eide, because"-with what was meant to be a smile, though the mouth did quiver a little ''he may be very nice" And almost before Pollie had time to say, "I promise" /" she was left alone. '.-s
 Charity fled downstairs as quickly as might be, but in the great, dusky hall she paused to steady, if possible. her beating pulses, at least to put on some outward show of calmness
 But after that one seconds hesitation, she turned the handle of the door and entered the drawing-room.
 Yes, there they all were. Cousin Sarah, old and stern, who had outlved husband, children, love and all the beauties of life, and who seemed to live apart from those with whom her lot was cast, in world of her own. Her dear, blind father, for whom everything seemed possible, nay, easy, for had not every nfav <f ed by his loving hands. And on the hearth rug tall, dark-visaged stranger, to whom she dared not lift her eyes.
 '1s that you, Charity?" questioned MT. Warburton, as the closing of the door pro- claimed her entrance. And as she answered ''Yes," Come here, Charity" he said, hold ing out welcoming hand. ''Here is a sad disappointment This gentleman brings let ters from my brother to say that Felix has been obliged to postpone his visit fo, another month, so that we cannot have the pleasure of making his acquaintance yet awhile"
 For one second Charity's heart seemed to stop beating, the surprise, the relief was SC great: for one second, notwithstanding the strange eyes that she knew were bent upon her, she could not resist letting her lips curve into glad, happy smile. It was such unex- pected relief. Never in her widest, most sanguine moments had she thought of this. Why, thousand doors of escape might open in a month.
 With great sigh which told of the load lifted from her heart she drew closer yet to her father, and took his hand in hers.. She even lifted her face, with smile of welcome, to the bearer of these joyous tidings.
 "rhis gentleman"
 ''Mr. Weston" the stranger prompted
 ''Is an old friend of your uncle's, so I have asked him to stay with us for the present, y said Mir. Warburton courteonsly. ''We shall be glad to learn all about my brothers family from one who has seen them 80 lately"
 ''lt is very. good of you. sir" MT. Weston murmured.
 --sI am glad to make your acquaintance, and perhaps through you shall learn to know my unknown nephew before he arrives. You should have come down earlier, Charity, and you should have seen your uncle's letter, which Cousin Sarah and have been reading, whilst Mir. Weston has been dressing, and you would have heard great deal that would have interested you. But here is dinner; you shall Lave the letters afterward." ..
 During the short time that they were occu- pied in crossing the hall to the dining room, Charity was perfectly silent. Not even the knowledge thafit was stranger on whose arm she was resting, and that politeness, if nothing else, required few words from her, could divert her thoughts from the merciful escape that the chapter of accidents had this day afforded her.
 IA month, a month," her heart kept sing ing-a happy little tune which smiled about the corners of her mouth, and caused to van- ish away, for the time being, the pathetic shadow which had of late darkened the young eyes.
 But once seated at table, she looked up to see what manner of man this opposite neigh Dor might be.
 Not handsome. she decided, but very nearly so. A pair of very dark eyes and good forehead, and heavy black mustache, were the principal items that she took, in in that nasty glance; hasty because she caue ht those same eyes fixed upon her, evidently with a similar desire of investigation, which made her turn her head suddenly away. and then begin some hasty questions as to the voyage, and other matters relevant to his arrival in England.
 He was very quiet, Pollie, dreadfully quiet, but perhaps he won't stay very long" were the conclusive words, as, bach in the dining room, Charity pourned the whole marvellous tale into Pollie's wondering ears. But he he seems nice, and whatever subject father started, he talked quite cleverly about, and SAiNtusAy AoshOI was piCocCu WILL duu, with sigh, ''Pollie, that is not always the case, for father is so much cleverer than any one else, that Iknow he would much rather be alone. But to night he was quite happy. Oh, we all were! Do you know, Pollie, l don't think ever was so happy in all my life before."
 '.Not before you had ever heard of Cousin Felix?" asked Pollie incredulously.
 ''No, certainly not. for then 1 had never known what it was to.be unhappy"
 CHAPTER II.
 After that eventful 27th of January, at Sil- verdale Hall at least, all went merry as a marriage bell. Charity and Pollie had read together the letters MT. Weston had brought, letters explanatory and introductory All that Edward Warburton could say he had put on paper for the benefit of this young man.
 Fl have known him all his life, he wrote, therefore, Leonard, as my son has been ob. liged thus unfortunately to postpone Eis visit at the last moment, and as Edward Weston, who was to have gone with him for the sake