Connecticut western news., 1882-11-29
HIS DEAREST FRIEND.

When Norman Van Fist told people that Frank Garnet was his dearest friend he meant great deal, for although Van Fist claimed but few friends, he chung to those he had like drowning men cling to whatever can save them from sinking. He had been more unhappy during his early days than boys usually are, for he had lost both parents when he was mere cAIld, and had been reared by cbildless pair of relatives, who loved him dearly, but knew no better ways of showing their affection than by with holding his pennies, so that he might not squander them at toy-shop, and by delivering to him an endless course of lectures, in the hope of saving his ,oul from the bottomless pit.
 cached his majority, and came to New York with the small patrimony to which le was entitled. Garnet was SO cheery that he was steady stimulant; to Van Fists sober wits, while Garnet found in bis new acquaintance an earnestness so unusual in young men that, with New Yorker's quick appreciation of whatever is worth having, he returned in hearty measure the regard bestowed upon him.
 After the friendship of the two had grown for a year, however, Van Fist began to feel almost guilty over the fact that Garnet was not as much in his mind as he had been. For Van Fist had fallen in love. During the fortnights vacation granted him by the firm with whom he was reading law, he had sev- eral times met Miss Florence Ashmore, a very pretty damsel from Baltimore, and as in manners and conversation she was far superior to any one he had known in the country town in which he was reared, as well as to any young lady he had met in New York, he did not wait 8 moment to analyze his feelings, but pro- nounced himself irrsvocably in love. As he was very bashful and Miss Ashmore was quite sprightly and brilliantly sar- castle on the subject of young men who imagined themselves in love, he did not declare his passion. The young lady was unable, however, to prevent her merry face sobering little and her hon. est eyes ceasing to laugh whenever Van Fist quoted poetry or talked of music, or rhapsodized over beautiful scenery, and although he never made love to her in the conventional manner, he talked oi the tender passion in way that made the young lady not only unable to laugh at him, but constrained her to listen as If she longed to hear more; and wha pleased him more than anything else wa that Miss Ashmore was kind enough tC hear, without showing signs of weariness all of Van Elst's praises of Garnet. Sh, even was so good listener that sh, asked questions about Van Elst's dea friend.
 Van Fist returned to the city full O hope. He had asked nothing Mis- Ashmore had promised nothing; bu could he be mistaken when he believed that her face had said far more than sh had meant to divulge? Naturally re served and secretive, he nevertheless could not keep his joy to himself; so ol hls return to town he hurried to Garnet room, determining to tell all, yet wonder ing how he would be able to put hi story into words.
 He found Garnet in high spirits, al though, when they had parted two week before, Garnet bemoaned the fate tha compelled him to remain in town all sum mer.
 Garnet's spirits rose still higher whe1 he saw his friend looking, as he declared far better than ever before. He laugh ingly demanded an explanation of tn change, and suggested that perhaps hi friend had fallen in love, upon whic Van Fist blushed like a girl, and the Garnet insisted that he should at ono hear the whole story.
 Van Fist turned his face away, for felt that in his happiness he must | looking extremely silly. He leane against the. mantel, looking at Garnet little collection of curios as intently as
 he had never seen them before.
 Go on, old fellow" said Garnet el couragingly ''you couldn't have a mol sympathetic listener, for I'm in the san c9ndition as you. z