Connecticut western news., 1882-02-22

trif1e to hlm. He would rather have enjoyed such an encounter than other wise. He had half dozen plans al- ways ready for such emergencies, etc. And really he did look so gallant and so handsome that most girls would have been willing to face herd of wild buf- faloes under his protection.
 Duval felt Fontaine's bravado a per sonal slight, but he did not wish to make Imogene the subject of quarrel, and after rather unsatisfactory visit the two men went home together.
 However, next morning Captain Fon- taine had the most graceful little note from Miss Imogene, asking him to bring bis guitar and assist her in entertaining few guests that evening. Daval had also one, equally flattering; for it touch ingly referred to their mutual danger and escape, and hoped he would come prepared to finish the exquisite poem which had been so terribly interrupted.
 The evening was remarkable one in many respects. Scarcely ever had the ex-Governor's mansion been so pro- fusely decorated and so brilliantly it. iuminated, and to the magnificent feast prepared all the principal magnates of the neighborhood had been invited.
 Imogene had never looked 80 be- wilderingly unreal and poetic. Her oval face, with it's creamy color and soft dark eyes, was crowned with great waves of black hair and snowy flowers and her long drapery of some soft silky tissue seemed to simmer and glance like fairy robe, as with winning smiles and gracious, graceful manners she fit ted to and fro among the guests.
 John Winthrop was among them. He did not dance, and he did not sing, and he smiled queerly at the very idea of his reciting poetry; consequently neither Duval nor Fontaine felt uneasy about his influence. Indeed, he seemed only to be able to converse on two sub iects-property and politics.
 Still he had one great advantage-he ssaid in the same house with Imogene, and could see her in many favorable moments forbidden to less happy nor tals. But Duva], who watched him closely, was soon convinced he was ID. different to this great favor for Duval had found opportunity of putting very clever leading questions to MT. Win throp, and that gentleman had nswereC
 them with the greatest candor. Indeed, he was so much more polite and sympathetic than he expected that Duval, who really longed for con hdant, poured out his whole soul to him and asked John candidly what was his opinion about his own and Fontaine'G chances. Did he really think Fontaine | would win Imogene?
 John said he knew very little o!
 women, but thought Fontaine would
 not win Miss Imogene.
 It is acomfort to have confdant
 and Duval heightened so much unde
 the process of pouring out his hopes t.
 John that Fontaine noticed the change
 and began to fear that his rival had com
 fort and encouragement of which he di'
 know.
 He was pondering this question yer
 gloomily one night when he met Joh
 Winthrop. How it happened he neve
 could tell, but ID five minutes the tw
 men were talking of Imogene, and For
 taine had told John all his hopes an
 fears with regard to her. John listene
 with interest, and even encouraged tn
 conversation, though he tried to mode ate Fontaine's complaints of Duval.
 'For," said he, Git is only right } tell you that I am also Duvars conf , dant. must say the affair is full of il } terest to me, and I can partly unde stand how it fills and colors all u hours of your two lives. For m
 things are different. If I should fall love, I could not afford to lose either g hours time or an hours sleep about al woman."
 } In this way matters went on for son weeks. John was the known confdal
 of both men, 8 post not half as dificu as it appears at first sight. For Fo taine often wanted to say somethir
 about Duval that he did not care to ss ? to Duval's face. He therefore made u
 remark to John, hoping that he wou be his mouth piece; and it is needle g to say that Duval followed the san Q plan.
 g John smiled, and smoked, and Ii e tened, and kept very quiet-a thil 'f easy enough to do, for both lovers on d cared to hear themselves complai l. That they kept up so long an appes T ance of friendship was entirely due <; Johns wise reticence, and his charitat 's rendering of such scraps of convers J. tion as he felt obliged to report.
 But smouldering fire can not alwa e be controlled, and one night, when Il d ogene had been very naughty and cro e to both Duval and Fontaine, they U IS fortunately met on the piazza of the e- hotel. Duval was Respondent and pro 1t trate, Fontaine angry and scornful, al Id Duval's air unconsciously irritated hi ID "aow 1ll-tempered Miss Imogene V d to o-night ]" he said, fretfully, fingi @. his alf-smoked cigar into the street. D. "Miss Imogene is never ili-te ly pered," answered Duval, warmly. SO will not allow you to say such thing CT "You won't allow me? Understa g, I shall say what I choose about u te lady. l do not recognize your right y- defend her."
 h. "Nor I yours to blame her." e. "Perhaps 1 have more right than y ed know of.
 Ie "That IS lying iusinuation; you va m oentleman to make if !"