Connecticut western news., 1882-11-29
VOL. XII.

 Florence Ashmore.
 ''Speak boldly, tell you, and don't delay" continued Garnet, ''or I shall get ahead of you and tell love story my self"
 "Go ahead" said Van Fist, after a moments pause Git may make my work easier.
 "All right" said Garnet, gaily; Git may be selfish of me to speak first, but I've given you the chance and you've neglected to avail yourself of it. Well, old boy, the long and short of it is this : I'm not only in love, but an accepted lover, and there's the picture of my dar- ling-right there on the mantel. Why, I believe you're looking at it now"
 "What is her name ?' asked Van Fist, hardly able to believe what he had heard.
 "Floy Ashmore," said Garnet; GOT, to be precise, Miss Florence Ashmore. Isn't she pretty-isn't her picture just the lovliest thing you ever saw in your life? Confound you, Van, what do you mean by standing there without saying | 8 word to me while I'm in the seventh heaven of bliss and with 8 million of rosy clouds floating over me? Speak l just one word, won't you?" l "Garnet," said Van Fist, turning slowly and displaying 8 very white face, "I congratulate you with my whole heart and soul and strength. "That sounds wall, said Garnet, after a meditative puff or two at his meer- schaum pipe, "but you might say 1t with little more spirit, I think. Hang it, man, I didn't say I was going to die ; I said I was the accepted lover of the sweetest girl in the world"
 Van Fist made mighty effort, smiled brightly, and grasped his friends hand firmly, and replied:
 "My dear fellow, you're the luckiest man in the world, if that picture does the lady justice, and Miss Ashmore is as lucky as you'
 "That's better," said Garnet, hastily withdrawing his hand and thrusting two knuckles into his mouth, 'but, my dear fellow-oh, how that finger hurts you needn't crush my seal ring right through to the bone, with that terrific grip of yours. Eh Hooking at her picture again? I shall be jealous of you in moment"
 "You've no reason to be-" said Van Fist, sbut I can't help staring at her picture, for I've met the lady, and ad- mire her almost as much -
 "You've met her? For heavens sake, where ?'' demanded Garnet, springing from his chair.
 "At Bloomgroove," replied Van Fist, quietly; "where spent my vacation"
 "The little witch p exclaimed Garnet; .sand she allowed me all the while to imagine her at home in Baltimore I sup pose she thought if knew she was SC near New York would run out there to see her. An, these Baltimore girls are very particular, Van. And you've actually been looking at that angel for fortnight, and only thirty miles away and entirely ignorant of what was going on! Why, you blessed old rascal, I'd like to choke you right here and now. How did she look-what did she say? Did she ever mention my name ?"
 "No," said Van Fist "but did to her, and was grateful to her for the at tentive manner in which she always lis tened"
 "What did you say about me? ?" asked Garnet.
 I Everything that was good, replied Van Fist. Certainly you did, you honest ole friend p exclaimed Garnet, taking botl of his friends hands; "and I've no doub that's why I got her definite answer with in few hours. But, oh, Van, I'm onl, beginning to realize what lies before me Her family is not very rich, but they art
 very proud; how dare I make forma proposal to her while I'm only poo clerk ?'
 "Buy an interest in some business, said Van Fist "have your name known as that of member of reputable firm. "Oh, Van, you're too modest, "protestet
 Garnet, sarcastically; "why don't yol a advise me to buy railroad or gold mine | It wouldn't be no harder to man with = out dollar beyond the demands of tn = week"
 "Tve about ten thousand dollars draw , ing interest" said Van Fist, "you're wei
 come to use all of it.
 "Van p exclaimed Garnet, "you're al
 most as much of an angel as Floy! Blu # I'm not going to use your money; som $ day you'll find yourself as deeply in lov 1t as I am, and then you, too, will have q business-ike father to face. At tha e time you'll need the money to make you j. own position good" ;s Van Fist tried to laugh, but he di n not succeed, although he managed t s say:
 F. Nonsense I shall never fall in love. is "Why, half an hour ago I was SUI
 you were as far gone as I. I think l. know the signs"
 .s "You don't know anything; men if love never do-they are utter fools," r l. piled Van Fist with such savage emphas
 that Garnet clapped his hands an n shouted:
 l, s'Capitally acted By love, old bo. n. you ought to go upon the stage. Bl le say, let me read you her letter-she ic fOrriuo mo T o11ouS for latino CD door