Connecticut western news., 1882-11-08
VOL. XII.


 the cheerless room and its occupants, and noting the half- frozen look upon the faces of the woman and child, James, being an unusually sensible specimen of his kind, is now slow in forming his conclusions.
 Thanking the matron for her informa- tion, he withdraws, and if either of the farmhouse occupants were curious enough to follow his movements they might see bay horse going at mad gait down the road where it comes out from under the shadows of the hill, and of in the direc- ton of the Leland manor.
 The day wears slowly on, the fierce gale still continues, and through innu- merable cracks and crevices creeps into the red farmhouse.
 Thomas Barton lays still and cold in the little bedroom, his breath, coming in cruel gasps, while beside his bed sit mother and daughter, helpless to assist him, the unbidden tears flowing silently down their pinched and hollow cheeks.
 Yet this is Thanksgiving day. The thought comes with startling distinct ness to the mind of the mother as, in glancing around the little room, her eyes fall upon picture of handsome young fellow, dressed in sailor costume, which hangs on the wall at the foot of the bed.
 To-day he was to have returned, but the angry waves have swallowed up both ship and her gallant crew, while grasping usurers and bad seasons have reduced the old farmhouse and its occupants to this.
 'sIt must not be; your father must not die so, Amy. Remain here by his side, and I will hasten to the village for relief. All can not be so hard-hearted as Cyrus Norton. Some one will hear my prayers. J
 Hurriedly wrapping herself in the worn shawl and hood, Mrs. Barton is about to start forth, when a sharp rattle of wheels is heard outside, and minute later gentle knock comes at the door, followed by lifting of the latch, and g young lady, warmly wrapped in furs, and bright and rosy from brush with the north wind, steps into the room, followed by man bearing two huge baskets, from the tops of which project certain suspi- cious necks of bottles, while soft aroma which enters with the newcomers tells o1 innumerable deicacies which these hampers are likely to contain.
 "There John, just set them down there by the table, and go out and assist James," cries Bella Leland, as she crosses over to the astonished Mrs. Bar. ton, who stands dazed by the audiences of the angelic apparition, unable to say word
 "You must forgive me, Mrs. Barton, ' cries Bella, with outstretched hands. "1 heard that MT. Barton was seriously ill and I knew you had no one to assist you so took the liberty of bringing over z few things. Oh, yes,' as the rattle O wood being unloaded fell upon their ears ''I thought possibly your supply of woot might run short, so just had one of th' farm-hands bring over enough to las until this period of bad weather is over.
 As she says this, Bella lays aside he cloak and bustles around, touching her. and there the different things in the room while James busies himself with the stove so that a grateful heat now radiate through the room, under cover of whicl Bella automatically forgets to mention what part James's visit in the morning has played in the little surprise.
 Under the cover of gossipy chatter Miss Leland, with the assistance of tn child, unpacks the generous hampers and it is not long before the little re- farm house glistens with life and joy bidding brave defiance to the old wind god, who blows and whistles outside.
 "Heaven bless you, my dear' erie Mrs. Barton, reverently kissing the littl soft hands, as they are rested for an il stant on her shoulders. "I was to proud to say anything before, but W were slowly starving to death. "
 "Never mind now, my dear madam, says Bella, gently. "It is Thanksgivin Day, you know, and let us now forget tl past and think only of the present. 1 Such jolly time as the little room SCI the rest of that November day! Eve the sick father grows stronger, and u
 gasping breaths die away under the gel
 erous diet prescribed by the heiress, al
 which she herself administers.
 How the old elasticity returns to u } mothers step and joy to her heart, as sl
 sees the healthful glow once more cret
 into Amy's cheeks and the merry heal } song comes bubbling up to her lips From the depths of despair they hay ) by the kind thoughtfulness of anothe
 risen to the heights of the keenest plea ure.
 eff Philip were only here p is the si 5 gle thought that comes to the mother
 heart as she sits at the head of the mode
 table, while the all-pervading warm
 makes each homely chair and each artie l in the room, from the little chintz-cover ! lounge in the corner, take on 8 cheerf home look.
 To Amy, child-like, the beautiful Mi , Leland, with her bright, loving ways a, l delicate generosity, seems the incarr tion of all that is good. Never in all h
 conquests did Bella Leland receive su t adoring homage as comes this afterno from the grateful heart of this child. l Gradually the deepening shades l the evening twilight show that the sht
 day is drawing to close, and across t lowland, just from the edge of the villae the comfortable pony phaeton, Miss I g lands especial property, is discover 7 coming fofass pretty mistress.
 As that young lady is wrapping |