Connecticut western news., 1884-04-23
TAKEN AT HIS WORD.
A STORY OF REAL LIFE.

There was the case of General Char tus, who for nearly twenty years held his own against all sorts of odds ill war, business and love. His was one of the brigades upon which the commander of the army in Virginia always de- pended when in extremity; his very re- treats, when he was compelled to make them, were more defiant and glorious than other mems battles. In business he was as determined and unyielding as in war; he was courteous and consider ate to all his rivals, but no one cared to provoke him to earnest opposition. In society all women were at his feet; mo- body ventured to rally this handsome fellow, whose keen eye and firm mouth seemed to make him a king among his fellows; to receive O smile, a compli- ment, or courtesy from him, was bliss supreme.
 But one day the General got his match. He never had been in love-he never had fiirted with any of the ladies, some pretty, few sweet, many good, who had been almost thrown at him by their parents or themselves; but the very first evening he met Miss Leah Mill Isen his heart surrendered-nay, desert ed in a manner most abject. Miss Mil hsen, although of pleasing face and figure, was no more beautiful than some of his acquaintances, but she impressed every one, including General Chartus, by her air of superb repose-an air the effect of which was enhanced by regular features, and by stature somewhat above that of most women.
 Chartus adored Miss Millisen at sight, and with the characteristic impatience of the successful soldier and man of af- fairs, he made haste to tell her so. His statement did not seem to at all surprise the lady; neither did it appear to afford her any special pleasure. She acted very much as if such communications were too frequent to be startling. The General was astonished and provoked at her indifference. He had so good an opinion of himself as to have imagined
 
 to a woman, the gift would be accepted with deep assurances of gratitude and humility. He felt piqued by Miss Mil hsen's demeanor; he wondered whether she knew that he was offering affections that never had been lavished on any other woman, and that he was guiltless of the faults that make many young men not desirable as husbands. Did she mis- take him for one of the overgrown boys who infested society because they were not old enough to join clubs and go into business
 The General grew so angry that for a little while he forgot to be a gentleman. He said to himself that if that proud girl did not care for him he could manage to live without her. He even neglected to seek her out at the next social affair at which they both were present. But when, again, he was brought face to face with her, as he was obliged to be at din- ner one evening, for the space of two hours, he confessed, all to himself. to unlimited idiocy, and determined to make another attack. If Miss Millisen could not be conquered, why, then-the Gen. eral would himself capitulate without re- gard to terms. It would be new sen- sation, while to be the prisoner of such being would be anything but uncom. fortable, he thought.
 So, again the General proposed, and again Miss Millisen listened politely but calmly. He asked if there was anything In his character or social standing tC which she took exception, and she quickly assured him, with a smile-such a smile !-that there was not. But love she said, implied marriage-and she had so many friends who had been made un. happy by marriage, that she had deter. mined not to imperil her own future by haste and thoughtlessness.
 This very discreet speech only in creased the Generals eagerness, and caused him to multiply his expression, of regard. He would make it his life work to minister to her happiness, h, said. Upon which she told him tha mems ideas of what would make womel happy were often supremely ridiculous So Chartus solemnly promised that sh should control her own life if she woulC marry him, and he would be obedient t. her every wish. Then she expressed fear of poverty. She had known s, many couples who began their married life amid comfort and luxury, and wer, reduced to misery and social ostracisn by unwise business ventures. Tn, suitor promptly agreed to make his wifi, sole owner of his house; to leave her il undisturbed control of her own marriag portion, which she frankly admitte'