Connecticut western news., 1889-03-20

Bostwick's imposing front door.
 "You look charmingl" said Mrs Bostwick, as she kissed her at the wide parlor door. "You'll captivate all the gentlemen. George sent college friend, who is in the city temporarily, with letter of introduction. And he is such gentleman! I'd have given him over to you for dinner if l could have managed it.
 They were in the big, bright room, and Jessie had nodded to pretty Miss Bostwick, and stood waiting quietly for introductions.
 Miss Brooks, MT. Gilman-Mr. Sam son-Mr. Foster," said Mrs. Bostwick, benignly.
 And Jessie bowed.
 But when she raised her eyes, she stood quite still, quite silent and motion less, save for her trembling hands.
 Her heart seemed to have bounded up to her throat. She wondered whether she were not a little insane, or absurdly dreaming. It was Alfred Foster himself who had risen to greet her.
 "NIiss Brooks!" he exclaimed in frank delight.
 And then Mrs. Bostwick took Mr. Samson's arm, and Mir. Gilman offered his to Jessie, and Alfred took charge of Evcline Gordon, and Miss Bostwick fol- lowed with young MT. Gordon, and they went in to dinner.
 Yes, it was Alfred!
 If she had known ten minutes ago that she should meet him so soon, she would have felt nothing but gladncss; 1; but now, there was dreary pain in her heart, queer sense of loss.
 It was he-he in a dress-suit, his hands no longer red nor his face brown quiet, gentlemanly, low-voiced, and certainly the handsomest man at the table. And-George's college friend
 Of course there was but one explana- ton. Had somebody left him for tune2 or hal they found an oil or gas we'll on the farm2 Jessie wondered all most miserably, while her soup grew cold. It was something of the sort, surely.
 Whatever it was, there was great distance between them now. She was a poor girl, and he was--shc did not know what; but he was no longer the simple hearted, hard working young farmer she had known.
 She looked at him wistfully.
 II have met Mir. Foster before," she explained to Mir. Gilman, who, after a dozen observations and vague responses, had begun to stare at her.
 "Ah!" he assented.
 "He-was different then" said Jes- sic.
 MT. Gilman restored her dropped fan in wondering silence.
 'It costs good deal, doesn't it, tc go to college9' said Jessie, timidly.
 Mir. Gilman dissembled his bewilder. ment.
 "Well, it depends, you know. Yor eau do it economically, of course; but guess l got away with three or foul thousand during my four years"
 Three or four thousand! Jessie gasped.
 Across the table, Alfred Foster wa: trying to talk to Miss Gordon. His fine face was little palcr than its wont.
 ''Yes she is very pretty" said th' young lady, misch evously, following the direction of the young mans gaze. ''And you're deeply in love with her al ready. Confess it, Mir. Foster!"
 "But you see, Miss Gordon, we ar' old friends" he explained. "And haven't seen her in two years. And i doesn't look much as though should see her again - not acceptably. Sh, seems so much changed! Is she a very great society young lady?'
 "I know her very slightly" said Mis- Gordon, good-naturedly. "I know tha Mrs. Bostwick is very fond of her."
 "And Mrs. Gordon would not be ap to make poor girl her protege!" Alfred | reflected, gloomily. "She wasn't ricl | then, but"
 'I suppose she's no end of money ? he said, aloud, trying to say it lightly "There wouldn't be any chance for poor fellow like mel"
 G, dare say not" said Miss Gordon, laughing, with unsuspicious eyes on th old pink gown, which was showy unde the gaslight.
 "And the gentleman talking to her?' said Alfred, with sober eyes on the two "Hes millionaire, ! supposed and de voted to her2'
 ''Mr. Gilman" said Miss Gordon, i, enjoyment of his pleasant humor. "Oh yes, MT. Gilman is the richest youn. man in our set; but Ive heard that he's become engaged lately"
 "Why, to Miss Brooks, of course ]! Alfred supplemented, with hollow laugh. "Nothing is more likely"
 ''It's quite probable" said Miss Cor don, laughing with him.
 How it happened, Mrs. Bostwick, wh was model hostess, and grea schooner for the enjoyment of he guests, could not have told, but he pretty protege and Georges handsom | connrn4od 4lo