Connecticut western news., 1885-12-30

thought of herself as an inmate of Johns house without mental vision of the old clock there, too.
 "1his would just suit lady that's been after mo for one," said the man, looking admiringy at the old-fashioned face of the clock, with its wreath of flow CTS encircling the lower part, and big, | jolly-faced moon at the top. "Come, now, you'd better sell it. I'm willing to give you fifteen dollars for it."
 Prudence shook her head.
 "My grandfather left it to me when he died," she said land I can't sell it.'
 The man argued the matter with her for g little while, but finding her firm, finally went away.
 That afternoon, when dinner was over and tho house put in order, Prudence dle essed herself in her best muslin gown and went out to take, walk. Her mother looked after her with some curi- ositY as she closed the gate behind her. It was Prudence's custom to sit down at her sewing when the work was done. She seldom went cut except to attend to some necessary purchases, which were always discussed openly before she left. She had never before gone out without assigning some good reason for it.
 "What 1 said bout that girl kinder stirred her up, expect" commented Mrs. Dennison, who would have been greatly amazed had she known that it was for the purpose of seeing the girl in question, and judging for herself of her superior charms, that Prudence had gone out.
 Her walk was not in vain. As she ap. preached Mrs. Peck's house, she saw lovely vision on the front porch-a tiny creature with quantity of golden hair piled on top of her small head; deli cate, pale face, and graceful figure ar- rayed in some soft, white material gath cred in at the waist with very broad cardinal sash
 Prudence did not doubt for moment that thls was Mrs. Peck's boarder, and her heart sank like lead in her breast. Was it any wonder that John admired this dainty creature2 He would have been less than man if he had not. And, oh. how different she looked from any girl Prudence had ever seen beforel
 Poor Prudencel Her life had been a very quiet, monotonous one, and she had never known the necessity for pretty dresses and gay ribbons. She had al- ways bought only what was absolutely necessary in the way of personal raiment, and her selections had invariably been made with view to durability and econ omy. She had never owned sash in her life. nor pair of slippers, and she had worn her chestnut hair in the same | quiet fashion for the past ten years.
 She walked past the house very slow ly, and kept straight down the street until she reached the open country. Then she sat down under a great tree in se- cluded lane, and tried to think calmly over this now phase in her quiet life-a phase she had never dreamed would en- ! ter it.
 It was almost dusk when she reached home, and she passed through the Kitchen without speaking to her mother, who was setting the table for supper. As with settled purpose, she entered the gloomy parlor on the right of the ball, and threw open the shutters. There was an old-fashioned mirror between the windows, and after moments hesitation she stepped before 1t and looked in. She stood motionless a long time, her dark eyes strangely troubled, her slim, brown hands clasped before her.
 With heavy sigh she turned away at last, and looked about her. Everything was the worse for wear, in spite of care ful usage; for the parlor had been fur nished when Mrs. Dennison had come to the house bride, forty years before. On the mantel were the little china or naments Prudence had received as birth day and Christmas gifts when child. I'm getting on, as mother said. l can see that now. I never thought of it before. But a couple of new dresses, bright ribbons-those things count for a good deal with man, suppose. He don't know it, perhaps, but he is in fluenced by them"
 Thus murmuring to herself, Prudence advanced to the windows to close the shutters, but paused as she saw the stranger with the red mustache standing outside.
 ''Came back to see if you had changed your mind about that clock" he said, with familiar smile.
 Prudence went into the hall and un- bolted the front door.
 "Wait here a moment" 8he said to the man. 1T went to speak to my mother" 4#
 She went into the kitchen, her eyes shining with new light, her breath coming fast.
 "Would you care if sold the ol ] clock, mother2" she asked. "There's a man here who will give me fifteen dol lars for it."
 ,"It's yours. Do as you please with it." answered Mrs. Dennison, who had never possessed particle of sentiment.
 "But look out that be don't give you counterfeit money"
 ! Prudence gave long sigh when she saw the old clock carried out of the hal
 and put into the strangers wagon; anc that night she woke up half a dover 3 times with a sense of some great los l having fallen upon her. And, oh, how 7 she missed the 'tick.tick" of the solemn l old pendulum!
 But the next morning, as soon as he !, household duties were done, she went tt e the best store in the town and bough s the material for a white dress, and fou
 yards of broad sash ribbon of rich car :. dinal hue.
 a When John called Monday evening h e did not recognize the figure that cam t forward to meet him, and stared at it e moment in mute asto1ishment. @ ''Is this really you, Pruew he asked q "Why, child, what have you been doinj
 to yourself2 I don't know you in thi v new gown"
 s ''But don't you like me in if, John? ,, asked Prudence, with trembling lips. f John shook his head Il Tt may do for some girls-that littl
 one up at Mrs. Peck's for instance, '" h d said; ''but think little brown wren V better than butterflies, Prue." j; Prudence had been in morbid, mis :. erable frame of mind for four long days e and was completely unstrung. As Johi a ceased speaking she burst into tears an' n then threw herself down on the olt
 lounge, where she had sobbed herself t }, sleep many time during her childhood