Connecticut western news., 1884-09-03
Thalia'S Lover.

| 1lCU1lCU - A@O VI .
 "What an industrious little thing you are, Thalia I, for one, fear that il mamma relied for her three quarts oi berries upon me she would have to dc without"
 So saying handsome Ida Minturn leans her head Lupon her white hand while she watches languidly her cousins busy movements.
 It is a sweet, arch face that Thalia lifts to her as she smilingly answers: "Tired already Ida, do believe you were born 10 be drone in the hive. Everything seems to weary you except going to parties and"-
 "Flirting, suppose you would finish with. We'll, you are not far wrong; and by the bye, Thalia, I have found a new delightful subject upon which to try my powers of fascination. Pa should have thought twice before he en- gagged such handsome overseer. To be sure he is rather cold and distant; but you'll see yet how expressive can make his dark eyes look"
 A delicate pink rushes to the younger girls fair face as she springs to her feet, almost dropping her basket of l berries.
 'Ida Minturn, I am ashamed of you Indeed, was going to finish my sen- tence in no such way, I detest the very word Irritation, and I do not believe MT. Holmes would stoop to such thing"
 '"Thalia, how seriously you do take thingsi If you could see how dramatic you look-gory, outstretched hand and all! But here comes MT. Holmes him. self. I will tell him of your enthusiastic defense. doubt not but it would amuse him."
 "Oh, Ida, please don't ?"
 And Thalia's cheeks grow to the deep- est rose as she pleads.
 But there is no need for fear, as, with merely grave, courteous lift of his hat, Mir. Holmes passes on to where, in & distant part of the field, some men are engaged at their work.
 The golden summer months fit gently by and it is not long before 1t is plainly evident to all eyes but Mrs. Minturn's how affairs are tending between the handsome young overseer of the farm and the gentle young girl who for the past three years has made her home with her aunt.
 "I think he's perfectly splendid p Ida says candidly as with many blushes Thalia confesses the fact of her engage ment. "But mamma will never con- sent, and I myself think you are very foolish, Thalia. Love is all we'll enough, but I for one have too much ambition to throw myself away on poor young man. look for coronet at the very least, and you, with your pretty face, might certainly do better"
 "Better An, now And Thalia'e face is more than pretty-beautiful-as she speaks. "My Harry is noble and good. What could be better thar that? And if he is poor; am too, but I count myself rich in his love l"
 Ida is right in prognosticating hel her mothers disapproval.
 Engaged And to man not worth 8 penny, and of whose family one knows nothing about Thalia, am shocked I have seen that you were very friendly but I had no idea of this, for we have all treated MT. Holmes with more con. sideration than his position calls for And what will your uncle sayp Jus what 1 do-that the affair must bt stopped at once. am your guardian Thalia, and until you are of age you car contract no marriage without my con sent. You know that, and now say that this engagement must be broken.
 And all Thalia's tears and pleadingl are of no avail. Mrs. Minturn is firm In two weeks time they will go to Lon don, and she decides in her own minC that she shall then see that her niece ii plunged into the very vortex of tha fashionable life from which as yet he, tender years have kept her.
 I It is a cruel blow to Harry Holmes for, relying upon his employers eviden frendliness, he has suffered himself tC build high hopes.
 "Three years Oh, Thalia, your low will never survive such a test l'
 "Have no fear, Harry" Thalia an swers, resolutely, "for neither time place nor surroundings can alter m, heart, and when our time of probation i over, and I am my own mistress, yol have only to come and demand your owl flor I shall be yours then as now"
 In the belt that clasps her slight wais nestles 8 cluster of daisies. Stopping Harry disentangles them from thei fastening.
 'I will keep them, Thslia, as a re membrance of your words. Aud now have something to tell you. Since you uncle told me the other day, that, afte this week, my services would be n longer needed, I have received com munication from Ireland, which has de cided me to go there at once. It is letter from an uncle of whose existenc until now, have been ignorant. Blu read it for yourself"
 This is what Thalia reads:-
 "MY DEAR NEPHEW: I have onl just learned, after long inquiry, that m sister left a son, and that he and you ar one and the same. This letter will un doubtedly prove 8 surprise to you, a from my sisters solemn VOW made t me as she left her home, I know tha | uou ravor oo,, hoI,a hoorl ,,o~, ,,o,,1