Litchfield enquirer., 1881-07-28

postboy he'd not been waiting for the letters, have necessitated fresh sheet of paper, but, under the circumstances was quite imposs ble? So she had folded it up, and posted ii with momentary passing thonght-would he care ?-even if he had known, Her tears and her smiles were alike immaterial to him, and had only recalled it at the sound of Ed ward Weston's pitying voice.
 'I am going, then, Charity" he went on, t'so this is good by, for even if see you again, it will not be alone But remember, shall watch and wait. If," speaking very quietly, eff Warburton comes and you do not marry him, l shall come back. Do you un- derstand?"
 "Yes" The tears were gathering thickly now, but she brushed them away, and raised her head. "Yes, but would rather that you did not think of it. know myself that shall marry Cousin Felix"
 ''So be it. Whatever happens, shall nev- CT regret that have known you. l think. Charity"-his voice falling-'you are the sweetest, bravest woman ever met. Such a daughter would make a good wife to anyone !"
 Courage. Charity, it is nearly over now. These fights are very hard, and womans weapons are so few, and her buckler so easily pierced, bat then every victory gained is fresh strength for what follows.
 Good by, MT. Weston," laying a small hand in his, and for the last time lifting her eyes to those dark ones she had learned to love- ''I shall not go down again to night, so this is in truth, good-by. I also," with 8 momenta- ry pause, ''shall always remember with pleas ure that you were my friend"
 He said nothing more For a & cond he laid his other hand over the little one that rested in his, and then without one backward glance he went.
 Once more Charity and her sister are seated over the bedroom fire, discussing dress and similar frivolities, for this is Wednesday, and the night of Lady Burnett's fancy ball.
 This has been long week, Charity thinks: it seems great deal more than few days since Mir. Weston said good-by to'her in the darkening school room. But one thing there remains to be thankful for. The last train is in from London, and Cousin Felix has not ar- rived, so she is at liberty to go to her ball. undisturbed by any ideas of the coming shad- ow until tomorrow. So she strives to forget the dark eyes that spoke of love to her, and to interest herself, as Pollie is doing, in the pow- dering of her hair, the arrangement of the white lace cap and muslin fichu, which are to mark her out, m her plain black dress, as a Royalist of Republican France.
 'Mrs. Saver will be here directly, Charity" for Cousin Sarah's ball going days were over, and Miss Warburton was to have the benefit | of Mrs. Savers matronly wing to protect her. "Wbere are your mittens? 1? Now here is your fan, do open it. and let me see how you look. Oh, beautiful Dear Charity, how wish l were going with you!"
 ''In two years, Pollie only two years.
 ''In two years; why then, Charity, you will-".
 But Miss Warburton did not wait to hear what would have become of her in two years. My clock, Pollie. Come, hear the car. riage" And with kiss, Charity hastened away. Once in the ballroom, amidst the lights and l music, fer the moment Charity forgot all her | troubles. She tried so hard not to remember, | that perhaps that partly helped her, so she | danced and enjoyed herself, and the color | heightened in her cheeks, until sorrowful past | and uncertain future were alike merged in | the present. t.'. 'I thought Mir. Weston had gone," Mrs. | Saver once remarked to Charity, meeting her. | "Yes, said Charity quickly, "he has gone | -left us, mean" 'But he is here" said Mrs Saver "I have just met him. l suppose" not wishing to de- | tain the girl from the waltz just beginning, | "that he is staying somewhere else in the | neighborhood." Charity supposed so also, as there seemed | nothing else to say, and turned away with her | partner. She must be mistaken, was her own | thought.
 But after this dance fresh agitation was in store for her.
 Miss Warburton," said Lady Burnett, stopping her, ''there is gentleman here who | wishes to be introduced to you. 1 think he came with Mir. Weston his name is the same as yours, So perhaps he may turn out to be an unknown relative. May 1 bring him ?''
 '.Yes, should be glad" said Charity, with whitening checks
 Then he had come at last, and Mr. Weston had brought him, so that he might see for | himself the effect that Cousin Felix would | have upon her. "But shall not finch now," | she thought, ''the worst was over long ago." | And for one secondher memory wavered back | to the schoolroom in the twilight, and the i dark eyes that had there looked into hers.
 Come. Miss Warburton, shall we explore this conservatory? It looks cool and pleas ant. It did, indeed and Miss Warburton, with willing feet, turned in amongst the flowers, where the softened light of the Chinese Ian terms was more merciful not quite so dem. onstrative of pallng cheeks az the glare of the ballroom
 "A capital 'get-up'" remarked her partner by and by, looking in the direction of the direction of the doorway.
 And Charity. looking too, saw enter tall
  but only one part of the knights dress, which | was so perfect as to call forth the admiration | Of her companion. arrested her attention | His right arm was in sling.
 Cousin Felix, Cousin Felix :" Her quick | beati ng heart seemed saying his name aloud, | as he advanced slowly to her, Lady Burne tt | by his side.
 ''I do not understand" Miss Warburton 1 heard her say, as they approached; ''but never mind, l shall be sure to see you again by and by"
 Then they drew nearer yet
 '.Mr. Warburton, Charity wants to be in- troduced to you"
 And Charity bowed a little wonderingly toward the mail-clad figure.
 'Mr. Paget, went on Lady Burnett turn ing toward Charity's companion, twill you kindly take me back to the ball room"
 And Mir Paget rising, he and Lady Burnett departed together.
 great desire came over Charity to rise and hasten after them but it was not to be-, The moment had come to put her resolution to the test; she would not fail now, SO she brought her eyes back from their long look after Lady Burnett's form to the man beside her, and, gazing straight before her, addressed him.
 'l suppose you are Cousin Felix" she said gently. "Then you must have come this af. ternoon after all ?" -..-
 "Yes, was at the inn, and as I knew you were to be here, l thought would come"
 "How did you know it2" she asked. still trying to quiet her beating pulses, and all in tent on speaking calmly.
 "From Weston. He met me, and told me you were coming, so we agreed to drive over together. have just been explaining it to Lady Burnett. When got your letter." af ter few minutes pause, Il determined to come at once."
 ''Why?"
 ''Out of his glove he took letter that Char ity recognized at ence, and reddened when she saw. She watched it nervously as he opened 1t, and showed her own hand writing.
 "When saw that" he said, pointing to the great tell-tale tear drow across the sigma.