Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-28

ed by one sister was the first and surest step l to being approved by the other.
 He could do everything. All the time the frost lasted, was there ever such skater, or one so good -natured about trying to instruct 8 somewhat timid pupil in the mysteries of | that art?
 Even Charity, who was graceful and light on her skates, was not above taking lesson from this master; and as to Pollie, she grew quite bold whilst clinging to that tall, strong form, and listening to the voice which was always so filled with encouragement for her puny endeavors. And after the frost had dis appeared, and wet, cold days took it's place, 1 Mir. Weston was not above game of battle- dore and shuttlecock in the long, empty gal lery, where were the pictured representations of the Warburton family, Uncle Edward reminder were needed as she laughed and played with her sister and MT. Weston, of the future that was awaiting her. -
 Perhaps it did for at the end of the game, as sine stood flushed with the exercise, her brown head slightly ruffied, her pretty eyes grew suddenly sad and wistful, and turning to Pollie, with low, You play now," she turned rway.
 "Are, you going to give Tn already?" MT. Weston asked. "Why, as I beat you yes- terday, thought you would have been so | SuIC GO W duG yOuA lCtCASO ~-udf 1LA lb lS raining fast," as the girl shook her head, coming close to her as he spoke, "so there is nothing else you can do except sit over fire with book, and 1 am sure this is much wiser!''
 ''No do not think it is," she said very low | ''It seemed to me- with little smile, ''tha. Uncle Edward," pointing to the picture, drowned and shook his head at me, as if to remind me that was grown up; so am go- 1oo letters that ought to have done this morning, instead of dawdling away so many hours over billiards, as we did,"
 And Charity. with determined look on her pretty, soft face, departed with a new, but scarcely as yet defined trouble at her heart
 But it was not to remain undeined for much l longer.
 For quarter of an hour she worked dili- gently, then Pollie opened the schoolroom door,
 Already, Polliel why, the game was not a very long one."
 ''Of course he did net care to play after you went" cried Pollie, throwing herself on the ground at her sisters feet and resting small brown head against her knee.
 Charity" after pause, ''do you some- times wish-sometimes think how nice it would have been if this had been Cousin Fe- lix?
 No answer but Charity was no longer sew ing The work had fallen into her lap, and two idle, white hands were clasped above it. | II think he is nice" went on the child again after moments pause, land though he does not say much," lowering her voice and speak ing emphatically, Il don't believe that he thinks Cousin Felix is!-No," as Charity would have interrupted, ''I am not breaking l@py promise, for may say what like until See him. But did you notice at luncheon, when | 1 asked him why Cousin Felix had not been able ts come, how he grew red. and looked so uncomfortable, aud it was only after quite a long pause, he said that he had broken his arm. Charity" kneeling up now and clasp ing her arms round her sisters waist 'Chari- ty, do yon know 1 don't believe he did break his arm 1 believe that Mr Weston knows it also, and is ashamed to repeat it," and with greater vehemence; ''l tbink that at the last moment he could not make up his mind to it, and at any price bought another months free dom!" And Charity sad heard admitted that | it was too true.
 But not her words. @..
 "Ne, Pollie~dearest, you must not say such things. You are. breaking your promise, for | we must believe in him-try to believe in him." she added under her breath, until we sec hm!"
 ''See whom?" questioned voice from the doorway. Il have been everywhere else" continued MT. Weston, advancing to the fire lit corner of tn room '1 have offered my ser vices to Mr. Warburton, who declined them with thanks; to ''Cousin Sarah," who odecined them without, as she was fast asleep, so now l have found my way up here. Surely, draw ing and armchair up to the opposite corner of l the fire, "yOu will not send me away. If you do, as 1 am sociable being, and soon tire of my own company, 1 shall have to retire to the kitchen. Now" as no reply came. 'telI me who is it you are going to believe in-till you see him 20
 Cousin Felix" replied Pollie promptly.
 "Does that enigmatical sentence mean that you do not believe that there is such a person, Miss Warburton?'
 He addressed himself so pO1ntedly to her, that Charity was bound to answer.
 Seeing is believing" she replied, ''se they | say. But l, for one, do not feel much doubt | of the existence of this particular person :" and she sighed.
 'That sigh sounds rather as if you hoped there might be doubt on the subject"
 Charity celored at his words, and took up her work once more.
 "What is he like?" questioned Pollie, filling up another awkward pause | Like" repeated Mr. Weston musingly. Like his father, only not half such good fel- | low
 Are not you fond of him P Polie was sitting up now in her eagerness, and gazing breathlessly at Mir. Weston. But Charity on whom his eyes were fixed, had dropped her lids and was hard at work. 1 ''Fond of him, he said eyasively and he laughed slightly as he spoke. That is very strong word, Miss Polle. 1 don't dislike him. Sometimes Pve felt almost, what you call, fond of him, but on the whole think prefer his father"
 II don't think" said Charity, rising to her feet, and raising her soft brown eyes to the dark ones watching her, with mingled admira tien and surprise, ''that it is right or kind to crticise, and say unkind things about peo- pie who are not here to defend themselves"
 Although her lips were quvering, she spoke quite firmly, and no one, certainly not Mir. Weston, guessed what that little speech cost her, but then he did not know the sorrowful little secret that was beginning to let her feel it's presence. So she crossed the room, tall straight figure, through the increasing twilight and disappeared, leaving two much astonish- ed people behind, looking at one another.
 ''What is it?" questioned MT. Weston in much perturbation. r"What did say ?" '.Oh, you must never, never say anything against Cousin Felix. Even if you hate him, you must never say so to Charity. She can not bear to hear anything against him. She, l" 1 with sob, lis trying so haro to learn to like him I''
 'tBut why ?" cried the man. leaning forward in his eagerness.
 .Why," repeated Pollie, raising great tragic eyes to his, ''why, because she has got to mar ry him, of course !"
 A lone whistle, indicative of the greatest surprlse, passed MT. Weston's lips, and then, "Poor Cousin Felx!" he said half under his breath, sauntering across to the window as he spoke, and gazing out into the fast gathering twilight.
 Presently. however, he turned away from his contemplation of the outside world back to the fireside and the girl seated there.
 .'Tell me about it, he said abruptly, and Pollie. nothing 10th, complied. It was only when she had poured all her