Connecticut western news., 1889-12-18

1 stood staring at each other ill swift recognition.
 "Great God!" cried Argent, and at sound of his voice the girl swayed l backward, tried to grasp support, and failing, fell her shining length upon the floor, and lay there like one dead. White as chalk, Argent cast one strange look at his cousin, then sprang for his hat, and as if pursued by a legion of demons, rushed out of the house.
 Adam Brockholt was compelled to take his Christmas-dinner quite alone. But he had ample food for reflection during the repast. When, several hours after, his wife appeared before him again, she was pale but perfectly composed. He asked no questions, she vol untcered no explanations. If secret existed betwixt herself and Argent, she evidently wished to keep it. Very quietly she took up the role of nurse and attendant. ouo W06 PuCICuL UIIO ACAl1Cs uO16c- less of foot, skilful of hand. It was plain that she meant to discharge her duty faithfully to the man who had raised her to his own station. She came and went at his beck and call- she waited tirelessly at his side, and in hundred ways amused and diverted him, drawing his thoughts from l himself and his ailments, and fixing l them on more wholesome sub- jects. She wore the jewels and fabrics that he admired, and made herself dazzling for his eyes alone. She rode abroad in his carriage, and walked with him under the Norway | tirs-he leaning, not on a servant, but her own firm, young shoulder. "You arc giving me of your vitali- ty," said Adam Brockholt, VI draw strength from you-do you perceive l it ?"
 "No," she answered, smiling. "I have enough and to spare. Perhaps health, like disease, is contagious
 Months passed. Godfrey Argent came ne more to Brockholt. sent no word to his cousin.
 1 NACuhlIApCD oNAOAS, uC" Cul ACutS UC- gan to throb in Adam Brockholt's veins. He forgot his old intirmities. His eyes grew bright, his gaunt figure erect and buoyant.
 '.What is all this hocus- -pocus, Es- ther?" he cried, with gay, boyish laugh. 'sI ought to have died long ago. Daddy Hagan surely left his 1 elixir here, and you have administered it to me in unseen doses. You will grow tired of waiting to become my widow
 "Don't!'' she implored, and turned her face that he might not see the moisture gathering under her dark lashes.
 It was Christmas eve again, with streaks ot crimson sunset burning be- hind the Norway frs at Brockholt, and lights already shining in the stone tower. Along frozen walk, under the evergreen-boughs, Esther Brock holt, wrapped in furred mantle, was pacing along, softly hunlming to her. self the lines of Christmas hymn.
 At the end of the darkening walk a man stepped out from the shelter of a | fir-tree, and tried to take her hand.
 "Esther," said Godfrey Argent, spray speak civil word to mel"
 She started back in sudden fright. '.Coward! traitor!" she cried, in- dignantly. "IIow dare you come here again?" ...
 He hung his handsome head.
 Necessity knows no law, Esther. My debts must be paid, and, unfortu- nately, Adam is the only person to whom l can apply for help. Heaven knows 1 had no wish to enter Brock holt while you remained here! Eve been skulking about the grounds for an hcur-actually afraid to approach the house. Adam still exists, I sup pose, for have received no notice of his death. and you do not wear wid- ow's weeds. Just powers! are you not growing little tired of that gal vanized corpse, and its tenatious hold on earthly things? could curse my self for the past, as | look at you 1! Remember, hardly more than year
 A man decended terrace under the stone tower, and approaching the two, laid hand on Argent's shoulder.
 ''I have been waiting for you, Geof- frey" he said. '.I knew that Christ mas would bring you back to Brock holt. Look at the galvanized corpse, my boy, and tender it your congratu- lations."
 1 Argent looked and groaned. He saw restored Brockholt, strong and erect of figure, with bold, bright glance, and dash of healthy red in his cheek.
 'In Heavens name, what have you done to yourself!" stammered Argent.
 Brockholt made gesture toward his wife.
 "Behold my cure!' he said, smiling. Then, with sudden gravity, he bent and looked in her pale, beautiful face. "I am glad we three have met here tonight, Esther. For a year you have been my wife; for year have loved you madly, silently-for how could 1 talk of m! passion while the shadow