Connecticut western news., 1886-09-01
VOL. XVI.

 aside the white muslin scarf she had worn, while she sadly dropped the little pearl brooch once more into her pocket. 'What shall I doY' ssked she.
 We'll, you and I will choose" said Mrs. Parker. ''There is the best parllr to scrub and dust, and the front windows to clean, and there's apple pies and sponge cake to make in the kitchen. I baked the biscuit before breakfast this morning. Now, which would you pre- fer"
 sOh, I'd rather be cook!" said Patti 'I can make pies with any woman, and I know famous new recipe for sponge cake, and only eight eggs to the pan! Just lend me white apron, will you9' "You're the dearest litt.e girl in all the world," said Mrs. Parker, kissing her. "And the very next time that you have a raft of unexpected company, ril come over to your house and lend hand, see if I don't!"
 And Patty, rolling out crisp crust, unused on the future. She did not belong to the race of prudcs who affect horror of matrimony. h her mind, happy mar ried life was the crown of all earthly bliss Old Aunt J.dith was kind to her, after her own grabbed fashion; but Patty felt that her whole existence was becoming dwarfed and blighted.
 It was quite true what Mrs. Markoe had said-Patty was belle. She had plenty of gallants at every gathering. She was never allowed to occupy the position of wall flower when others danced. She had plenty of company home from singingschools, spelling matches and evening church. But no one had ever asked her to change her single state. And in anguish of spirit, Patty repeated to herself the words of Mrs. Markoe's song, "Why don't the men proposea"
 !sI can't go out and ask them," said Patty to herself, as she ran the notching- iron deftly around the edge of the pie that was first ready for the oven. II wonder if that's what they expect2'
 But she frightened up a little when a stream of gay young people came up the hill, from fern-hunting expedition in the woods, and paused at the open kitchen door.
 "We stopped for you, Patty" cried they, "but your Aunt Judith said you were gone out.'
 "Yes, said Patty, as she brought them gourd-shell of fresh, cool water to drink. "rm Mrs. Parker's cook now"
 She uttered the words laughingly, and gave them never second thought; but they were destined to bear fruit in the near future, as is the case with many a word that is spoken one moment and forgotten the next.
 "sWell," it's shame!" said Lucy Whitman; 'tsuch pretty girl as Patty Wallace is"
 ''That old aunt of hers must be reg ular crab," said Phiny Duane, 'to turn her out into the world in that sort of way" The sponge cakes proved a success, the apple pies perfect triumph, and Patty Wallace was sitting on the little front porch at home, tired, yet exul- tant, when there came footstep up the hill.
 'Oh, MT. Jeffreys!" cried Patty, rec ogniziag him in the starlight.
 ''rve just come from Mrs. Parker's, :" said the young man. "I expected to find you there."
 'Did you9" said Patty, rather sur prised.
 ''Patty, IT don't know how to begin, but should be proud it you would con- sent to marry me-" blundered on the honest young fellow.
 "Oh, couldn't" said Patty, thankful that the soft, purple dusk hid the blushes on her cheek. 'Oh, thank you very much; but l never could do It."
 'Are you quite sure, Patty?"
 ''Yes, quite; but thank you all the samer
 Patty trembled all over, and her heart beat as Mir. Jeffreys slowly retraced his steps down the wooded slope. Her first offer of marriage, and yet she felt actu- ally as if she had committed crime. "But one can't marry the first man that asks one," she reasoned within her. self.-,
 'Patty!'
 She stafted. Here was Guy Etheregt standing close to her.
 Had he dropped from the clouds2
 "Dear me! she exclaimed, involun tarily.
 "What's this about Mrs. Parker9" ht demanded.
 "About Mrs. Parker9" repeated Patty "oh, was there, helping her to-day Why9'
 'I won't have it, Pattyv' said Ether ege, imperiously. 'If you're going t. help anybody, you must help me! Yo, must marry me, Patty!'
 Patty opened her lovely, wine-browr eyes very wide.
 ssMust IF" said she, with rather { startled air. ''But l."
 "A letter for Miss Wallace, please, said Ned, the little colored boy who ral errands for the village hotel. 'Please , missy, Ps to wait for an answer"