Connecticut western news., 1888-05-23
the other boys and exerted all her

about Christmas time the neighbors began to notice that Virginia was mighty thick at the Pages.
 'The two houses were pretty near to- gether, and she used to run over to Mother Pages on some excuse or other, twenty times day. Perhaps 'twa'nt strange that Harmon began to be fattered by it. He had as good Q turnout as any chap in tho place, and he got in the habit of taking Virginia considerable.
 ''You sec, positiou's everything in more cases than one, and Virginia was i right there handy, while Mercy lived at the top of one of our old fashioned Con- necticut hills with dreadful hard road leading to it.
 "Whether she knew how much Har- mon was taking the other girl wasn't known; some thought not. She didn' get out much, except to mcetin', that winter, and she had enough of her fathers spunk about her not to let on that she saw Harmon foolin' with Vir- giuia Wake at the noonin's.
 "There was splendid sleighing that season-the kind we don't have these days-and some of the young folks wanted to have general sleigh ride. It was put off from time to time, till twas finally set for one Thursday night.
 'It was the night of tho regular week prayer moe ting, and after the time of the ride was all settled Harmon, who was the only professor in the party, tried little to have it changed. But Virginia Wake declared, with wicked shake of those jingling curls, that she could say her prayers just as we'll iu a sleigh as she could coopcd up in that stupid barn of a meeting-house.
 Every body thought alterward she fixed the ride for that night to show Mercy Avery the power she had over Harmon Page.
 "Wel, tho party started from Amity- vile long about 5 O clock. They were all in big two-horse load, except Vir- ginia and Harmon.
 ''She had arranged for them to go ahead in his cutter alone, and I'll admit they were splendid looking couple--- he, with his fine eyes and teeth, and she, in rich crimson hool that set off her dark beauty to perfection.
 t'Our route---for I was one of the party---lay straight up tho hill toward Deacon Avery's. Just as wo turned into it who should we meet but the deacon aud Mercy.
 'They were late, for the me eeting was alus appointed for carly candle light ing; but Mercy had probably waited awhile for Harmon, who, for year back, had taken her to Thurs day meetin' as regular as the day come round.
 "She sat up straight and queenly, be- sido her father, as they passed, and seemed not to hear the malicious sally Virginia called out to her.
 "We, in tho back team, were near enough to catch the scornful glance she threw from those deep eyes, gray as steel that night.
 GAS for Harmon, he turned white to the lips, and for mile hardly answered the banter that Virginia kept up. After that he seemed to grow perfectly reck- less, laughed and joked louder than any of the rest, and was so careless that he drove on stone wall; and we, follow ing, were all upset in heap together, and had hard work to get tied up so as to make cur way home toward morning, more dead than alive.
 'It was sorry day for Harmon Page. He was waited upon by church con- mittce, headed by Deacon Avery, who denounced his wholo conduct toward Mercy as unchristian and highly incon. sistent in church member.
 "Hc didn't have much to say for him. self, and they churched him on the spot. He was pretty down in the mouth, but kept up some hope till he saw Mercy Avery.
 'He had refused to see Virginis Wake, and thSt night ho wont up the familiar hill to Deacon Averys stone. house.
 "Mercy herself came to the door, calm and self possessed, as if nothing had happened, and showed him into tho sit ting room. There was steady light IT her gray eyes, though that made liar mon tremble, and, without beating about the bush bit, he came right te the point, and asked if all might bo for given and forgotten, and they become as good frie3d as before. He worked himself into passion, cried and took on like child. they said.
 "But, law! it didn't move her ar atom. She had the genuine old Avery grit, if she was mildmannered, and sh' told him that, as long as the church had put him ont, she, of course, couldn' take him back.
 "Hc plead ed and entreated until 1' o'clock at night, late hour in then days. but it didn't mako might o difference. She wouldn't overlook wha the church had considered Q gros breach of faith. Ho went out crushed man, and from that time his spiri seemed to leave him utterly"
 And what about Virginia Wakca' interrupted, uncoa sciousiy cutting my finger in my eager interest.
 .'Oh, after the girl had done all tn