Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-16
LEiTHERVuU hOUSE.
A Romance of the Early Days
 iu Hoosierdom.
Rv Fl. w. TAYLOR.

lQ HOOS1eTQOm.
 Bx Fl. w. TAYLOR.
 less charges of malice. Had not seen deadly feuds involving perhaps more bloodshed than that of last night, among noted families in the Sandtown circuit? Couldn't name them almost by the score?
 Later in life should have frankly confessed to the truth that l wanted to sec Polly and talk to her simply out of my ravonous hunger for her presence, her touch. and tho sound of her voice. This would have been ample apology in my own eyes in maturer years. It is ample apology and explanation for far moro desperate resolutions and deeds than contemplated, even in my greatest frenzy. But hold! Have not forgotten my sudden hatred for Judge Barks? The man who in past times had affected to sec i'll nle mate rial that might be wrought into brilliant things. Tho man who had paid me the great compliment to point out the road to preferment-perhaps to cmi- eminencc, and stir Tn my heart the first fluttering of ambition-that guardian angel of youth through tho period of greatest temptation and least power of resistance.
 l easily persuaded myself that tho judges friendship for me was selfish one. Through it he could the more readily reach the proud and wayward daughter of the tavern-keeper. I re- membered how many, how very many times the old judge had been enabled to pass q whole evening in our com- pany. In ours! In hers! What did he really care for mine! I was the simple and unsuspecting means to the end. had sat beside her listening to. his skillfully handled fund of stories and philosophic dissertations, proud to show her that I was of sufficient i'm portance in the eyes of tho greatest man within our ken to bring that, man to her so often-so very often. What fool! However. I managed to eat very. heartily of the very palatable break, /, fast that Fan had speedily prepared on, finding that was at last awake. I. even smiled faintly as, in answer to. Fans question, confessed the dream to her. She was in ecstacies Always neat and careful of her dress she was this, morning in her very best and with the advantage of feoling-as I presume only a woman can fcel-that she is at her best in every respect A bright smile fitted about in the many dimples of her pinky checks; and her 1axen hair, curling in the short locks about her ears and neck, gave her sort of refinement and delicacy that 1 had heretofore totally failed to discover in her. Moreover we were entirely alone, the whole family having gone to somo portions of the village more nearly the center of excitement at this time, and finding the attraction too strong to permit them to return as yet. Usually loud and loquacious, Fan had smiling and delighted shyness and reserve upon her this morning-a combination always captivating to me, l and believe, to all of the sterncr sex, She said little excepting in answer to my own remarks. But there was an eager, impatient, cxpectant and half startled way about her looks and move ments that claimed a part of my atten- ton, and even succeeded in some de- gree in making mo temporarily forget the keener point of nay anguish and | rcstlessness
 Finally arose, and, taking my hat, walked to the door and looked out. l "Are you go-un, JimP" she asked, timidly. and coming to the door half shyly.
 l "Yes," said. without looking di- rcctly at her: |. "And if you find that she isn't mar riedp''
 "Then I'll marry her as quick as we kin git to preacher.
 "And ef you find she is-then whatp"
 "Then I'll come back and marry you this very evening"" said, half in jest and half in desperate earnest. Twill you2' sho said. with radi. ant smile. "Then I'll be ready. I'll
 have every thing ready. I'll stay at
 home purpose to be ready" And
 she threw her arms about my neck
 and pressed my cheek to her lips with
 such vehement forcefulness that my
 face tinged for minutes on my rapid
 walk to the village:
 r I fancied tlat the men passed in
 little groups here and there eyed me
 with curious derision in thei1
 glances. Was it generally known that
 l was the disappointed loverP Had
 gossip fully settled upon the sonclu'
 sion that in this tragedy had played
 only the clown and had been buffeted
 about by the harlequin of loveP wa!
 too young to face the guns of ridicul. as yet. And so l avoided every grour
 and sauntered about almost aimlessly
 in the hope that might by acoiden