Connecticut western news., 1885-01-14
ELLTNGTON'S WILL.
PHGBE CARY.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

BY T. s. ARTHUR.
 Lily Ellington's bright face looked very attractive as she presided over the steaming cofee-urn; at least so thought her father as he watched the slender fingers adding just the right quantity of sugar to his cup. As he received it from her hand he said:
 1T have something to ask my little girl this morning."
 Lily gave her father shy, swift glance of inquiry. but something in his face kept her silent.
 'I saw George Herbert this morning as was going into the post office and he walked back with me. Can you guess what he asked me ?"
 The old man looked at the girl keenly but saw that she was really as indiffer- ent as her careless "No, papa" sug- gested.
 "I also had talk with Charley Story last evening, and strange to say he wants to beg away the same treasure which Herbert also covets."
 Lily flushed even to the waves of fair hair which curled back from her tenn ples, and a tremor about her lips be- trayed her secret to the kind, old eyes watching her face. He smothered a sigh as he continued: ''So my little girl can guess my secret 1! Child, it never struck me that you were anything but school girl before, and now you are asked in marriage. So you want to leave your old father?'
 Lily sprang from her seat and threw her arms about her fathers neck.
 s.No, indeed, ] could not leave you. It would be so lonely in this big house with no one to love you and care for you; but, ;" and the sweet voice dropped to whisper, Charles would be like a son to you; and we could all live to- gether."
 ''Well, my darling, it is the way of the world aud must not be selfish. So my little girl loves him." He patted her cheek caressingly. ''I am little disap- pointed that it is not George. He is such noble fellow"
 "Oh, papa, he is not to be compared , to Charles, who is so handsome and re- fined P
 "Well, Lily, you are the one most in terested, and have no doubt Charles is all that is good and desirable. So an to say yes. am ?''
 Lily hid her head upon her father breast for an answer. He stroked hel hair tenderly, thinking respectfully thaf ''papa's" place in her heart was no lon ger the first one. The fair little maiden had been the sunlight of his home since the death of his wife few years pre- vious. Somehow the idea of young Stor. as a son-in-law was not AS pleasant t him as the thought of Herbert-th' frank, manly youth whom he had knowl from boyhood-had been. But Lii. had chosen and he gave his sanction t. the match. In few months they wer married, and, by invitation, set up thei household altar under his roof-tree.
 Lily was a loving, obedient child her father, and she transferred the sam allegiance to her husband. She ha one of those transparent natures whic take their coloring from the stronges will. If her husband had required tn sacrifice of her right hand she woul have given it. Mir. Ellington yielde her mp unreservedIy, and lived his ow youth over again in the happiness ( this, his only child. One day he SUI prised his son-in-law by saying:
 ''Charles, am thinking of makin you gift of my property. How woul you like to own everything, and hay your old father for a guest the rest ( his life P
 The young man looked surprised { MT. Ellington said this, but he al swered, pleasantly:
 'I see you are in testing mood tn morning, father"
 ''I was never more in earnest in ID life. I am tired of worldly cares, an wish to make my preparations for tt world to which am so fast tending. you are willing to take the burden upc you, will take steps for the transfer
 "Burden ]" said the young maj warmly. 1T do not look upon wealth that light. If you do. will cheerful relieve you of it. and Lily and I will C our best to make your home with [ happy"
 "All right, Charles it shall be done said Ellington.
 That same day he went to his youl friend, Herbert, who was lawyer, al asked him to make his will, with pre- ent transfer of all his property to son-in-law. George Herbert listen, quietly to the explanation of his wishe When he concluded, he said:
 'I will draw up the papers as y, wish; but you will take my advicep