Connecticut western news., 1890-03-19
A BANKRUPT'S SECRET.

A BANKRUPT'S SECRET.
 Charlie Powell was generally regard ed by his acquaintances as "the lucki- est fellow in the whole world" He had fortune of quarter of million, bequeathed to him by his father, the famous banker, on his death some years back; he was clever, handsome, and engaging in his manners; and he was afii inced to Miss Julia Hunter, the belle of the London bathrooms, with whom he had fallen madly in love the first time he set eyes or her. She was the daughter of Sir McPherson Hunter, a Scotch baronet, with very much blood and very little money, and was, therefore, we'll suited to her be- trothed, whose strength was her weak ness, and whose weakness was her strength.
 Now, Charlie Powell was, like most young lovers, very anxious to get mar ried without delay, and he pressed his betrothed to fix an early date for their union. Neither Miss Julia, who lived in rather strengthened circumstances at home, nor her parents, who wanted their daughter off the hands, had any objec ion to offer; and so day, scarce ly two months distant, was named for the ceremony.
 But in that sort period an event oc- cured which made it necessary to post pone the wedding for some time. Lady Hunter, mother of the bride elect, caught a serious chill at the Duchess of Bodmin's ball, from the effects of which she died m forty-eight hours. twas notorious that the ie- ceased lady hal not lived on the best possible terms with Sir. McPherson ]; but the latter was so punctilious about 'sform," that he would not hear of his daughters marriage taking place for a twelvemonth after her ladyship's death. And Charlie, though vowing that he could never endure to wait so long, was fain to submit to the baronets de- cision.
 However, he found time pass very much more quickly than he had expect cd. Nine months out of the twelve
 
 led one orning to realise that he was within three months of his wedding day, and yet he had not begun to make any preparations. The first thing, of course, to do was to secure the services of "best man. He decided to ask bis intimate friend, Arthur Staveley. to undertake the office.
 Acting on this resolve, he went to Staveley's chambers in the Albany, that same afternoon. He was lucky enough to find his friend at home, and alone.
 "I say, Arthur" he began, "I want you to do me favor. I'm going to be married to Miss Hunter, you know, in three months' time. Will you act as my best man?"
 "Certainly, old fellowI shall be delighted to assist at your execution But come, seat yourself in that arm chair, take cigar from the box on your left, let me mix you brandy. and-soLa, and then we,will have little chat!"
 Powell declined the ebrandy-and- soda, but he helped himself to cigar. which he lit with great slowness and deibera- ton. Then he said gravely:-
 "Marrying and getting settled is 6 rather serious affair for fellow-isn'i it, Arthur?"
 The other laughed. "I believe you,' he replied. alt is no light thing te give up the independence of bachelor. hood.s They say, by the by-thougl perhaps l ought not to repeat it to you -th.t Miss Hunter ha, will of hel own-nt to mention a temper. wonder" (with sly g. ance at Powell) "whether she would have shown it hao she seen you on the river, at Richmond tho other day with little Una Tran burylo -.-.-4...
 Oh rife coloured, and started:
 '.I wasn't-at least, how did yor know about it?" he exclaimed.
 sf passed you on the water, my deal fellow. Only was not so wholly en grossed with my fair companion as tt have no eyes for any one elsel"
 "Vell, if choose to do the civil tt Miss Tranbury, and take her out for , row, there's no harm in 1t, suppose? ? retorted Powell, in Q tone of annoy ance. -..-.-.-.=-..
 "Not the least in the world, my deal fellowl By the way, how long hay, you known herr"
 'I met her down at Richmond abou six weeks ogo. I find that her fathel and mine used to be great friends il days gone by"
 "Ah, see! She's Q nice girl, bu awf..lly poor. She and her mothe lave nothing to live on but the latter pension as generals widow; other wise should have tried my forum with Miss Una, think, but I'm .o hard up to marry anything but a heiress?"
 Powell flung the stump of his ciga into the fender, and rose to go.
 s'What! of SO soon2" exclaimed hi friend. "What's the matter with yor to-day, Charlie"
 "Nothingl only have . number O thingato do this afternoon. 'Au oir. may count on you for my best man then?
 "Of coursel And when you mex come, 1 hope you'll not be in quit such hurry"
 Powell made no reply to this obser vation-probably did not even hear il being by that timo halfway dow stairs. And Stavely, having mike hin-felf another rbrandy-and.soda, won dered to him elf what the devil ha come to his friend.
 One evening, about week later