Connecticut western news., 1885-08-26

~---~~---~-E9 Herbert Arundel
 "Aunt Sylvia is foolishly prejudic- ed," she thought. "He is as true and noble as he Is handsome, and none but the carping and envious could pick a flaw in his character or demeanor. As if would go to Antonia Wyllis' and leave him herel How graceful he looked on the 'croquet ground yesterday-and how well he rides. I wonder if I shall ever see Magnolia Dell, that sunny home of his which he describes so eloquently. don't think itis altogether impossible, for think yes, am quite sure-he loves me! His lips have never spoken words to that effect, but there is language of eye and manner, and"
 Minnie's mind was absorbed in these fancies, when a knock came to the do and the old housekeeper put her head into the room.
 "Miss Minnie, the sheets is ready for the linen closetP'
 "The sheetsp' Minnie shrugged her shoulders little impatiently. "Why couldn't old Peggy have waited? Very well, Peggy, I'll see to that, presently"
 "But they ought to be put away now, miss," persisted the obdurate old servant. eve strewed sprigs of lav- ender and dried rose leaves between all the folds, and if you'd please to put them on the shelves now"
 Minnie rose with scarcely sup pressed sigh. She knew Peggy too well to hope for any peace until her behests were fulfilled.
 The heap of snowy linen lay on the hall table, white and fragrant through the tolls of Peggy's skilled digits, and, taking pile on her arm, Minnie Dart ford went to the linen closet, a small room, opening out on that allotted to the present occupation of Clarence Lee and MT. Herbert Arundel.
 She glanced timidly in before she entered, to make sure that neither of her brothers guests were in the apart ment, and then hurried through, t place the linen in it's nook.
 She had scarcely reached up to de- posit the pile on the high shelf above her head, when voices and footsteps fell on her ear, and, with a palpitating heart, Minnie felt that she was like B caged bird, among the shelves, laden with sheets and pillow-cases. MT. Arundel had entered his room-the spicy odor of his cigar already pro claimed the fact to her olfactories, even were there no other witnesses, and with him stranger had been ushered in.
 Minnie stood quite still, hoping that their incursion was but for moment, and their withdrawal would presently leave her free to beat a retreat. The door of the closet was partially drawn to, and she was at least sure of not being discovered. The color rose to her cheek at the idea of thus involun- tarily playing the part of eavesdropper; but what else could she doP
 "Sit down, Lewis" cried MT. Arun- del, drawing forward an easy chairs "make yourself at home. Your cigar isn't out, I hcpeP"
 "No, it's all right" said the strange voice. T say, old fellow, speaking oi making one's self at home, it strikes me that you are practising the thing yourself rather extensively herer'
 Arundel laughed. ...-
 q am at home," he said complacent- ly. "Why, bless your heart alive Lewis, the good people here think I'm the greatest man alive" They'll find their mistake after awhile"
 Not until I've made sure thing of it," answered Arundel. --s'
 "What do you mean?"
 "I mean that l am going to marry the girl"
 "What, the little heiressp' echoed the man whom Arundel had called Lewis.
 "Well, yes, if you choose to call hel so. No great heiress, after all; but dare say I can find use for her twen ty-fve thousand dollars. And, t. crown all, she's desperately in low 7 with me"
 r The other laughed hoarsely- sneering sound, which made the bloo' boil indignantly in Minnie Dartford' 3 veins.
 ? "You always did play the deuc : among the girls" he said. ''So she l in love with you, eh%'
 "Yes. It's quite amusing to watcl
 the progress of her infatuation, - answered Arundel. "I haven't pro
 posed yet, simply because don't wan - to precipitate the moment. Bless yor t she jump into my arms tomorrow if e were to pop the question: d Shed jump out again quic r enough, if she knew you half as we
 as dor' jeered the other. T "But she don't, you seeI' sai 8 Arundel. "'Where ignorance is blis h 'tis folly to be wise'-you know th It old saying. And the best of it is ths l. I've somehow contrived to cut or o annthar lover who has been hanQin