Connecticut western news., 1889-06-26

ana It was the last CnlnS Ion CIclyntoA intended, to fall Tn love with Miss M'Estrangc, much less to let her know it, but he could not help himself; with characteristic impetuosity she lost her heart in these soiitudes, where all the real character of tho young man showed itself, no longer overlaid by the customs of society. She saw how true, how tender, how brave he was, how superior to the society men who had only bored her in New York. Sho had indeed distinguished him even there from Q certain superiority of aspect, but now she knew and loved him and showed it with such naive simplicity that Tom, for all his good resolutions, broke down and fell at her feet. Only day had their engagement been made known, when the summons Tom expected, came. Viva was almos. frantic, it was the first time in her life that her will had been useless; but now it beat against a rock. Tired with the vain struggle repeated till Toms heart ached to its depths, sae atlength recognized that his strength of character must dominate Eers; and after long wild flood of tears and convulsion of sobs she said at last:
 'If you will golf you must prom ise me to live, to come back"
 "I promise to come backif Ido live, Viva. How can I say I will ivea That is the chance of war and the will of God" "Promise, promise" she shrieked. "You must promise me to livel I shall die here, right in your arms, unless you dor'
 Her pallid face, her streaming eyes, the sobs that seemed to rend her slight shape, the piteous curve of her red lips, took him by storm. The lovely, un- reasoning, willful creature, torn by a passion of love and grief all for him, shook his strong soul to its center. What man ever resisted such overwhelming passion, or thought it foolish when he was its objecta Tom Creighton's soul blazed in his eyes as he held that tiny figure closer to his breast.
 'I promisel" he said.
 So he went and she stayed. The for tunes of war befell him; but in battle he seemed to dodge the bullets that rained about him, manfully as he fought, for he felt Viva's imploring eyes upon him. "Creighton's luck' was the jest of the decimated regiment; but no man charged him with cowardice. The thrill and splendor of this new life had swept of his conservatism the war justi- fed itself by its dash and valor. He rejoiced in the clangor of its trumpets, the roar of its guns, the rush of its charges; and when the miasma of the marshes where he lay encamped defied his will and scare d his flesh with fever, when he lay half conscious for many 8 week in the hospital, the will to live, the intent to keep his word to Viva, saved him. The nurses wondered to hear but two words in the low mutter of his delirium: 'I promise-I promiseW W but those words were his talisman. | When his heart and flesh failed he seemed to see Viva's upturned, woeful face, and he said to himself, "I prom. ise," with fresh strength each time; for he had learned faith in himself. At last the war was over; but thoroughly we'd ded to a soldiers life, and become a \ proverb among men for courage and quick resource, he was transferred to the ranks of the regular army, given a furlough of six months, and flew al once to Viva
 Poor Viva! the war had spared hel Tom, but both her parents had died during his absence, and she was quite alone. To describe their meeting would be sacrilege; it was even as the meeting of those who arise together at the rising of the dead aud look at tho dawning of that heaven which they shall spend to. gether Naturally Tom desired to haster their marriage, and Viva did not refuse for except g salaried chaperon, she wa: quite alone in that loneliest of positions, the inmate of fashionable boarding house. She did not care to waste he time or her strength on an elaborat' trosseau; she left all that to Mrs. Mer win; it seemed to her that she could no exist out of Toms presence. Yet on day she could not see him; she was i'll she only saw tho doctor, an old maj who had watched her from childhood
 "Viva," he sail to her, as he drew ol his gloves after an hour at her bedside and as soon as tho nurse, hurriedl called in, had left the room on som needful errand.
 "viva, you must tell Captain Creigh ton."
 sI will not!" she answered angrily.
 "But you mustr'
 "I never will! After all these wretch
 ed years of waiting, do you think l vii } throw my life away, Dr. sandsT : of you do not, shall. l "You won't! you can't!"
 ' "But I shall. It is my duty. If 70 do not tell him before Saturday-this