Connecticut western news., 1890-02-19


 dingy office looking like picture in her pretty lnew coat and dainty hat Jim had just gone over to Mrs. Wy mans desk to carry some papers. and through pure ill-luck picked up a flower from the bouquet on her desk and laughingly asked her for it. The lady graciously gave it. and, as he leaned over, reached up with smile and pinned 1t to his coat with her own fair fingers. Such thing had new ver happened before and might never happen again, but Kittie's quick eye caught the whole thing. She turned red, then white. '.I didn't know there was lady in the office," was all she said.
 Jim, having finished his erraud, was walking leisurely back to ward his desk when he saw Kittie. His eyes frightened, and with glad surprise he hurried tow ard her saying how pleased he was that she had come. Kittie re- piled stiff1y with her eyes fixed upon the unlucky flower. He glanced down, then he seemed to understand her manner and there was an awkward pause, broken shortly by their starting for home.
 '.And who is Mir. Murray's pretty friend?" asked Mrs. Wyman of me later.
 His wife," I answered sternly.
 'His wifei what sweet face! Why never imagined that boy was mar ried." she said with surprise.
 ''So inferred" was all 1 replied as turned and left her.
 The next day Jim seemed ill atease, and couldn't help noticing he hur- ried through any work be had at Mrs. Wyman's desk.
 She seemed perfectly unconscious of any change of manner. and I truly believe never suspected there had been the least trouble, and was as frank and friendly as ever toward him, speaking of his wife's beauty and her surprise that he was married.
 They had been painting the build- ing tn t our office was in, and some scaffolding had been put up over the door. "A dangerous looking arrange ment" I had heard one of the mon mutter as he passed under it. A strong wind was blowing just as Jim was going out of the door, and the thing toppled and fell, burying him beneath it. He was taken out sense- 1o O slight injury to his head his leg was broken. Ills soon recovered conscious ness, and the doctor set his leg and we took him home.
 Mrs. Wyman came to me as we were starting. s'The firm will bear all expense, of course," she said, ''but if there is anything can do for that dear little girl wife please let me know and let me help her." She was SO earnest that couldn't help taking her hand and promising that if we needed her she should come.
 Poor Kittie! She was terribly frightened, and so conscience-str because she had been cross to Jim. .Oh, will he diep" she asked over and over again. The doctor assured her there was no danger of dying, but that he would need nursing and care ''Have you any grown person whom you can get to help you?" he said, as he took in Jim, Kittie, Ned and the little maid-of-all-work at a glance. She looked dismayed; they knew mo- body. Then delivered Mrs. Wyman's message. Kittie- hesitated a moment, then consented, like the dear little girl she was.
 So Mrs Wyman was sent for. The moment she entered the sick room she seemed transformed. All the bitter ness and hardness gone-she was sweet, tender. womanly. Jim was lying white and still on the bed, Baby Ned stroking his pale hand and softly say ing "p-o-oor Daddy Jim" Kittie stood beside the bed weeping. Mrs Wyman went quickly to her, and talk ing her in her arms whispered. ''If my baby had lived she would have been almost as old as you, dear" And know Kittie was conquered. for she put her arms about her neck, and they kissed each other and they cried to- gether woman-fashion, while l looked on and blew my nose furiously and kept saying it was strange where got such 8 snuff1y cold.
 We'll, there isn't much more to tell. Jim got on famously, and all on ac. count of his excellent nursing.
 The very first place he went when he was able to walk was to the little | chapel around the corner, with Q mer. ry little wedding party. Mrs. Wymar was the bride. and, being modest. won't mention the groom's name; but the man who gave the bride away was \ Daddy Jim. I