Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-03-15

put Sn0 nOIlc00 that the SODDtnS ceased and was strengthened in her beliet re- garding Lucy's feelings for MT. Annel- sey, and, wishing to comfort her still further, she continued:
 ''Father has been driven off of so many pieces of land that do not won- der he is afraid something will happen him again, though 1 don't suppose there is any danger that this place will be overilowed by the debris from the mines. I can't see how it can be when they are twenty miles away. MT. An nelsey says ther', isn't. And if it should happen. of course the company would pay the damages. especially if you and James we 6 married.'
 Instead of comforting Lucy, this set her crying harder than ever.
 Jennie could not understand her sis- tcr's mood, and did not know what to do or say to soothe her; and hearing their mother calling them from the kitchen. she stopped and kissed Lucy's hair, where she sat. and went down 60 assist in getting the evening meal. tell ing their mother that Lucy would be down in a. few moments. but saying nothing about having left her in tears.
 When her sister had gone, Lucy gave way to her feelings. and cried and
 
 the violence of her emotions.
 Her excitement having worn itself out little, she raised her head and wiped her eyes with her apron.
 ''l believe they are selling me to him. she said, under her breath: "sell- ing me to him because he is rich and can help them in case father gets into difficulty with the mining company; and EraStuS is letting them do it.'
 Again her face went down upon her lap, and the sobs broke forth afresh
 By and by she lifted her head again, and finally rose and bathed her face and eyes.
 Poor father,'' she was saying to her self, 'l know what the thought of los ing this place list mean to him. He has been driven of of so many and he is getting old now, both he and mother. If they were to lose this home they would feel as if there was no place left in the world for them to go to, and if can save them I ought to be willing to do it; and if Erastus marries Julia Ennis, shall not care what becomes of me anyway
 Then she began crying once more, but more quietly than before.
 When she went down to supper the family noticed that her eyes were red. but thought nothing of it, as the girls always had crying spells for day or two previous to leaving home for school.
 Her father came out of his own gloomy mood at sight of his daughters s sorrow, and made several attempts at asking with the object of raising her spirits again, in which he seemed to succeed admirably, for by the time they arose from the table she was even gayer than usual
 On the morrow, when the parting came. she broke down and cried as if her heart would break; but then Jen- nie erred great deal also, as did Mrs, Parsons and Johnny. Even MT. Par sons felt the tears stealing down his cheeks, and wiped them away with the back of his hand.
 Erastus drove them to the landing and parted with them there.
 The ride had been an unusually silent one, all of them seemed absorbed in thought He would kiss them both at parting. Erastus had been saying to himself; may be the last kiss he should ever give Lucy. Annelsey, he felt cer- tain, would follow her to the city, and perhaps when she came back she would be engaged to him. She might even be married before sho came back, and so save him the pain of being present at her wedding, for he believed she knew of his love for her. and that the knowl- edge had caused her to feel embar- rassed in the presence of his rival and himself
 But now she would not object to his kissing her, as he had always done when sho was going to leave them for any great length of time, and he would hold her close to his heart for mo- ment, if never again. But when they reached the landing the boat was on the point of swinging off. and there was nc time even to shake hands, but only to hurry on board aud wave their good. byes while the gang-plank was being raised and the boat was swinging rounC into the current.
 Erastus stood upon the shore and watched them untl they were lost to sight amidst the hundred other passen gers, and then turned away with feel ing at his heart that all of happiness had gone out of his life forever.
 As the girls were leaving the office of the steamer. where they had gont immediately to secure their state-rooms a gentleman among the passenger l IulScA HIS IldG III SdlututioA.
 II wonder" he said, Eff can be o any service that will in part repay you family for the kindness shown in keep ing three gentlemen over night on time last spring?"
 "Why, MT. Ensign. Is it you? supposed you had forgotten all abou us long ago, since you never came t. see us, said Jennie, feeling that an. one whom they had ever met before wa :. friend where everybody else wa strange. "Have you been at the mine all the time? MT. Annelsey said h didn't know what had become of you.
 'So Mr. Annelsey has improved hi , chance introduction to the Parson , family" was Ensgn's mental con , ment. 'Well, I can't say Iblame him May be would have done it myself if , had had the leisure he has had" Then aloud:
 ..Mr. Annelsey has not felt an especial interest in my whereabouts, F suppose. l have been at Gravel Hi F ever since I was at your fathers co "A s--