Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-09-03

never blame you for any action, how. ever singular 1t may seem to me. know you always have some excellent reason for what you do or say. But the Gilchrists are our best neighbors and are leading people in the church. It would be unwise to offend them Dc you object to telling mo why you would not see Mir. March Gilchrist?"
 Hetty shifted the pattern to corner of the stuff, turned it upside down and regarded solcmnly, her head on one side. Then shc pinned it fast and fo1l again to cutting,
 "l do object-decidedly! she sald, composedly. But it is perhaps best that you should know the truth. It may prevent unpleasant complications. Mir. Gilchrist did me the honor last evening to offer to marry me and re- fused him."
 "Hetty Alling!"
 That is likely to remain my name. supposed that you would be surprised. Iwas!' as coolly as before. "I trust to your honor to keep Mir. Gilchrist's se- cret even from MT. Wayt. It is not a matter that concerns anybody but our selves. And we will not allude to it again"
 Struck by something unnatural in the girls perfect composure, the tender hearted matron leaned forward to stroke the head bowed over the work.
 "There is something behind all this, Hetty, dear. am sure of it. It would make me very happy to see you married to such a man as March Gilchrist. What objection can you have to him as a suitor?"
 'The very question which he asked and answered. Excuse me for re- minding you that nobody else has the right to press it."
 The rebuff did not end the discussion The matter was, in Mrs. Wayt's mind, too grave to be ligh tly dismissed. Don't be angry with me!' staying the progress of the clicking shears, that her sister might be compelled to hear what she said, "I love you too dearly to let you make blunder you may regret for . lifetime. March is noble young fellow, of unexceptionable family and character. His disposition is excellent; his manners are charming; he has talent. energy"
 Spare mo the rest of the catalogue, pleaser' retorted Hetty, curtly. Ut is not like you, Frances, to force disa- | greeable subject upon me. And this is one of the least agreeable you could se- lect. Discussion of it is indelicate and a breach of confidence on my part-and altogether useless on yours."
 Yet she was especially gentle and af. fectionate with her sister for the rest of the day. On bidding her goodnight" she embraced her fervently. "I love you dearly; better this min ute than ever before, If was so savage this morning." she said, with shining eyes, to March's champion.
 Upstairs she read "Locksley Hall" through to Hester, who was sleepless until twelve o'clock. Not until the clock had struck the half-hour after midnight was Hetty free to take from her pocket and look at a letter the afternoon mail had brought. The super scription was in a hand she had seen in notes to Hester and upon tho fly-leaves of books, and 1t was still sealed. She sat looking at it, as 1t lay within the | open palm of lax hand for a good tor bad) quarter of an hour.
 Hester's regurgitate breathing-worse tonight than usual-was the only sound in the chamber. Now and then she raised her hands strugglingly. as if dreaming, but she slept on.
 To open that letter and take the con tents into her empty heart would be to the lonely orphan Heaven on earth. It was long, for the envelope held several sheets. It was eloquent, for she had heard him talk upon the theme set forth | in every line. She had will-force suf- flcient to conceal from the sister, whose