Connecticut western news., 1888-04-25

in sleep.
 Suddenly Jcnnio heard the muff1ed sound of horsc's hoofs upon the snow. A shadow darkened the window, and a moment later heavy knock rcsouuded upon the door. Jennie hastened to open it, with Tony still awakened, in her arms.
 The visitor, who stood holding his horse by the bridle-rein, was largo, powerfuLlooking man, dressed in hunt CTS garb, with brace of pistols in his lcathern belt.
 Some little city bred maiden might have tainted with fright at so formi- dable an apraritioa, but Jennie was we'll accustomed to the rough exterior of the backwoods The strange, looked at her keenly, as tho freight shone upon her little figure with Tonys golden head nestled against her shoul- der.
 'Tve been caught in the storm. Can stay all night9" he said.
 "Come in, sir" answered Jennie, heartily. "Wc arc all alone, ---I and the baby, flor my father and brother are gone to town; but I expect them home every minute, and Pm suro they wouldn't like me to let any one go on in the storm. You can put your horse in the stable yonder."
 Without replying, the man led away his horse in the direction indicated, whence he soon returned, and taking his place in front of tho hearth, pro cceded to dry his wet garments. His face, which evidently had once shown fine lines, wore Q hard and bitter ex- prcssion, as the flickcring shadows played over his bent head and averted eyes. A vague discomfort crept owe, the spirit of the little hostess.
 "I wonder if he's sick, poor mani he looks so miserable like" sho thought. Then she said aloud, "If you haven't been to supper, sir, I could take you ul somo of the pork and beans Pm keeping hot for father and Steve, and I coule make you cup of tea in a minu
 "I don't want anything" answered the man, still without looking up.
 Little Tony, who, by this time, wa broad awake, had slipped from Jennie's arms, and stood with great, blue, won dering eyes fixed upon the stranger. Il was something wholly new to Tony short experience to find himself uuno ticed by visitor, aud he was evidently pondering deeply the problcm of this unsolved personality.
 He walked slowly up and down tn, room, at each turn approaching ittl nearer the grim, silent figure before tn hearth. At last he paused, and stepping yet closer, laid small, soft hand upo1 the mans knee. Still thero was n response. The child's breast hcaved his breath came thickly, and grievet expression curled his rosy lip.
 ''Man," ho said, with tremulou baby accent, "why don't 'oo love littl boysW
 The stranger started, and spasm o uncomfortable emotion swept over hi bearded face. He turned upon th child, whoso bright hair shone like glory about his head, and with swift involuntary ac.ion, drew him into hi arms. Some marvellous change ha transfgured his face and softened tn hard liaes like ice before the sun.
 He held the child close, murmurin over him some mart iculate expression of fondness, while Tony, on his part accepted most graciously the tard homage, tugged at the stranger 8 watch guard, and laughed so merrily that Jen nie could not rcpress soft echo fror her own corner.
 The man looking up, transfixed he with tho same keen gaze as at his CT trance, only that now some new elemen was added, "a questioning almost pain full in its intensity. Looking at him one would have said tbat the man fel all his fate hanging upon the auswe which the young girl should give.
 Are you afraid of mel" he said.
 "Afraida' repeated Jennie, in gentl surprise. "Why, no, sirl Surely 70 wouldn't do any harm to Tony or me-.
 "No more would I, so help me God
 He rose and stretched himself to h full height, like one relieved from som intolerable burden.
 'And now, my girl," he said, chee fly, 'you may give mo some of the DOT and beans you spoke of,-they' re might warming on ght like this."
 Jennie sprang up with a please alacrity, and having placed bountif portion upon the table, drew chair b. side it.
 Il can't see why father don't come she said anxiously. A. curious cxpre sion fitted across the mans face, whie she did not notice.
 "Don't you fret, child,' he sai' the snow's drifting so that 'twould nothing strange if they had to stop a night at some house along the roa' But never you mind! I'll do the chor for you-you'vc got the cattle au things to see after, I reckon-and tht Til bring in some moro logs for u fire"
 "How kind you are, sir! I'm su father will thank you thousar l times"
 } "Thank me yourself, child! Pm n
 doing it for your father It's slong sin , anybody had cause to thank mo, ar