Connecticut western news., 1883-04-18
Iily's Decision.

A AA The four of them were as unlike as could we'll be imagined, and. as they sat in earnest conclave in Mrs. Dalzell's little parlor, they represented vastly different styles and charact ristics. Mrs. Dalzell, pale, faded, weful, and wearied-look- ing, and looking so perfectly the proud lady she had always en-proud, de- spite the plainness of her little house and the shabbiness of her widow s weeds.
 Miriam Dalzell, her eldest daughter, as beautiful as a dream, with her ex- quisite Greek features and complexion like unsunned snow, with her magnif- cent black eyes that always were beauti- ful, whether languid and dreamy or haughtily questioning with her wealth of blue-black hair that crowned her like coronet.
 She had always been regarded as a beauty, and had always been the reign ing belle in the town where they lived : but now, when Mir. Dalzell's death had been the cause of their being obliged to leave their pleasant home and occupy a suit of apartments, when they suddenly discovered that, instead of large, ample income, they would be obliged to use the closest eco lomy to at allsmanage on the pitiable little sum that was left them-then M,riam's belleship fled from her and she took her beauty, her grace, her high-toned, elegant tastes, and her hauteur with her into an obscurity that was agonizing to be endured.
 Then, sitting little apart from either mother or sister, was Lily, Mrs. Dalzell's youngest child-Lily, as unlike her sis, ter as it was possible for her to be, un- less was excepted the vein of pride that ran in all the Dalzell's, but which in Lily's case was of different quality than Miriam's, quality that, while in Marian it made her excessively naughty, exclusive, reticent and vain, in Lily was dignity, strict womanly truthfulness and elevation of manners.
 No one ever thought of calling Lily pretty she was too slight, too petite. She was neither blonde nor brunette, therefore was not noticeable for personal characteristics.
 Her complexion was fair and soft as rose petals, her eyes were tenderly gray, intelligent, amiable and frank in theil expression, and her hair was of chestnut brown but her mouth was exquisite so girlishly lovely, with its proudly curved lips, red as spray of moisteneG coral, with even, milk-white teeth show ing becomingly when she laughed, and with a distracting dimple in her lief cheek.
 The fourth of this quartet was Mrs Dalzell's brother Hiram, who had beer very averse to his sisters marriage witf Courtney Dalzell, and who never seen o communicated with his sister during al the years of her married life until, whe1 MT. Dalzell died, he had sent word tC know if he could be of any service to hi, sister or her children.
 Then, knowing her brother was yer, rich and perfectly able to do great thing for either of her girls-or both, for tha matter-Mrs. Dalzell had written accept ing his proffer, with large hopes base' on his coming. And he had come an, seen to the settlement of his brother ill laws affairs, and, now that the wido1 and her two daughters were settled dow in their comfortable, plain, little suit ( rooms, and Hiram Wingate was to It turn home on the next day, the fin, family talk was at hand, introduced b Mrs. Dalzell herself.
 "And now, Hiram, what about th girls ?"
 "Yes-about the girls. I've bee thinking it over considerable, and T., come to three conclusions, any one which will agree to put into effect"
 Miriam dropped her long-lashed lit and her beautiful eyes, for Hiram locke directly at her, and, in spite of hersel her heart throbbed as she thought pc haps he had decided to make her h heiress Why not, surely?
 Hiram went on:
 "Of course I take it that you girls b
 
 tween you, intend to let your moth, have sn easy life of it. At any rate, b. tween you, you ought to be we'll able take care of her now when she is pettir along in years and further enfeebled | trouble. Miriam, you indorse that ?"
 And Miriam, with magnificent visio of future elegance for herself, out which she should supply her mothe assented, in her lovely, graceful way
 "Good. Now, first of my suggostio is that Miriam take 8 position I can 2 for her-right here at home, too-salt woman in one of your first-class esta ishments.
 Had a thunderbolt fallen at Miriam feet she could have been hardly le startled.
 II go behind counter and sell goods ! Oh uncle p
 Her delicate ivory cheeks flush painfully.
 ssAnd why not-you?"
 Miriam looked at her mother, W compressed her lips-perhaps part from good intention to keep down | indignation that such an offer should made to her queenly, beautiful daugh