Connecticut western news., 1882-04-19

if you will only mako up your mind to receive this young gentleman in nice
 and friendly manner, perhaps you will find him very agreeable person, and
 he may find in you the realization of his dreams. And if you should fall in love with each other-'
 "But, oh, Mother Phebe, interrupted Verona again, Gin spite of all you say, l can't help thinking he must be such a such a-idiot Just listen" And she proceeded to read from the letter, In drawling, affected manner: eel, like my glorious teacher, Oscar Wilde, love Nature, love Beanty-Beauty un- adorned, Beauty pure and simple. I would have the maiden of my choice owe naught to Art. If she wear flowers, let them be of the blossoms of the fields and meadows rather than the costliest of artificial blooms and if some slight blemlsh mar her loveliness, let her not seek to conceal it by rouge, or powder, or any other lie, but by the sunshine of her smiles so dazzle the beholder that he will see it not. As for her dress, better in my eyes is the plalnest of homemade gowns than the richest robes of silk and satin disfgured by all the paraphernalia of the mantua-maker, An, could I but find such a maiden r Now, Mother Phebe, the idea of his writing such stuf-for it is stuff-to you But of course he thought would see it, and being truly rural young woman, would be much impressed thereby"
 My dear, you are severe" began Miss Phebe.
 "There, I knew it. You've caught the infection-speaking poetically.''
 |" didn't mean to, I assure you, my dear, though in my youth I wrote and published number of verses that were But no matter. You will behave nicely to Peter? Now promise me you will, Verona"
 I will do more. I'll try to be all he would have the maiden of his choice And if he don't like me you'll be content ?"
 ''1'll be content" And Miss Phebe rose to go, as somebody near by whis- tied loud and clear. "What's that ?"
 ''The first bar of Charlie is my dar. ling,' replied the girl, mischievously :: and she proceeded to whistle the second herself, in bird-like manner. as she leaned out of the window. A slender. 1.-the young fellow stood in the garden below. On catching sight of her face, he nimbly climbed the old pear tree that stood directly in the garden path, and reaching the bough that brought him opposite the snuggery, he seated himself thereon with an absence of formality refreshing to behold.
 Moonlight row tonight, Verona" he said. "I just stopped to tell you. though I'm in an awful hurry-going down to the depot to meet the governor. Hello, Miss Phebe,"
 ''Arthur, are you never going to leave off your monkey tricks ?'' asked Miss Phebe, with as much sternness as she was capable of, which wasn't much.
 "Never," answered the caller, with great coolness, as he slid down the tree again.
 "Oh dear what would young Candy think of him ?' almost groaned Miss Phebe. "And, Verona dear, please don't whistle any more."
 "Not whistle, you darling! how can help it? I whistled when I was A baby girl, and I never knew you dis liked it before"
 "Well, don't know as I do dislike it myself. In fact, I'm afraid rather like it. But don't whistle before Peter, that's all. And, Verona, couldn't you you seem to have some influence over him-induce Arthur Willis to behave with little more dignity A young man of two-and-twenty climbing trees like squirrel or monkey is really too absurd"
 "Mother Phebe, have you known Arthur from before he was born-his mother was an old schoolmate of yours. too, remember-until the present time not to know that he can't be anything but himself? And shouldn't want him to. For my part, think he's too awfully cunning for anything"
 "Too awfully cunning '" repeated Miss Phebe. "Well, perhaps he is He's 8 good young man anyhow, and very kind to his parents though I do object somewhat to his calling his father governor.
 "His father don't," laughed Verona. "But by-the-bye, darling, when do you expect this id mean this good-look- ing, well-educated, simpicity-loving gentleman P
 "On the very next train. He will dine with us, and have told Betsey to serve dinner earlier than usual. So you had better begin dressing at once.' And Miss Phebe left the room, and Verona did "begin dressing at once." Oh, what sparkle came into her lovely black eyes, what saucy tilt the turned. up nose took on, and what bright smiles chased each other over the full red lips And no wonder, for never made maiden, dressing to meet would-be lover, so elfsh toilet before. First she dipped a hair brush into basin of water, and vigorously brushed the fluffy curIs that lay upon her forehead (which, unshaded by them, seemed trifle too high), and the waves that rippled over her head, until there was no hint of curl or wave left. Then she undid the coils and puffs of her luxuriant hair, made to look more luxuriant by being arranged in these same coils and puffs, and gathering it all together into one hard knot. she