Connecticut western news., 1891-01-07

Stella, Nnce she cannot come to us. An errand of love, my son, with roses and jasmine for our offering"
 There Were many such errands of love in the c1:e;.iny week, for Stella grew weaker d.y by day, and her recovery seemed f:r off and uncertain.
 The poor child would fain have been well. She would talk for hours between spasms of coughing about the things she would go and see, the books she would read. the places she would visit when she would be better again.
 It was Christmas eve that the end came. There was sudden attack of hemorrhaGe. a message sent to Paul at Her Majesty's theatre, few hours of nushed waiting, little strugrle-and it was over. Margaret Stanhope was there, and it was in her arms that Stella's life flickered and went out
 Toward the last she begged Paul to sing to her
 .'Something that will make me go to sleep soon," she said wearily.
 And Paul went to the piano in the adjoining room and touched the keys softly.
 Sorrow and care may meet,
 The tempest cloud may lowr,
 The surge of sin may beat
 Upon hfes troubled shore
 God doth his own in safety keep,
 He giveth his beloved sleep.
 When he had finished he felt light touch on his shoulder He turned and saw Margaret with the tears like rain on her face
 "She is asleep at last," she said brok- enly.
 When Margaret had done what she could she went away and Paul did not see her for months.
 It was better so, he told himself. Her way was not his. Their paths lay far apart, and he could not attempt to bridge the gulf between them. And so life went on for him dully, drearily, with never a break in the monotony until spring came. Then one morning he met her on Regent street. She was just step- ping into her carriage, but she stopped him and gave him her hand and drew him aside for few moments conversa- tion. -
 ''I am glad happened to meet you," she said. "I wished to speak to you on -on a matter of business. It is favor 1 am going to ask of you.
 "No; do not be so rash as to grant it beforehand, but promise to come to the house tomorrow morning and we will talk it over. I shall be in until 12. Good-by, for the present" When Ferris was shown into Miss Stanhope's drawing room the next morn ing he found it deserted A cheerful fire was burning in the grate, the sun struggled in through the lace curtains, and on the window seats boxes of snow- drops were lifting their delicate heads to receive the warm rays. Margaret appeared very shortly, and greeted him with her usual frank kind liness. She asked him to be seated, and 1ently made an effort to plunge into the subject weighing on her mind.
 ''I asked you to come here because I have something to say to you that con- cerns us both-something I wish to ask of you," she began.
 Anything that can do for you, Miss Stanhope. You must know I am yours to command"
 ''It is rather difficult for me to tell you now that you are here," she went on nervously "The fact is, MT. Ferris, I think of sailing fer New York in fortnight, and T want you to go with mer' Paul leaned forward and passed his hand over his eyes, 'But do not understand" he said, with a puzzled expression. He could see that she was laboring under some excitement, Li.at her breath was coming uncertainty. It seemed to him she was very near teaYs. although she was smiling.
 Monsieur" she said rapidly II. French, "I have the honor of asking your hand in marriage for Mile. Stanhope." T. struck him like blow. It b:snded him-took his breath away. He could not speak, was only conscious that Na.- | garet was kneeling beside his chair with her hands on his arm; that her fact, l was upturned, grave and tender. | "Paul," she whispered, "I love you. | Will you marry meP' | He understood at last, and at last he held her in his arms and kissed her rev. ere1tly. @ ----<
 "Paul! Paulr' she sobbed, .you must not think badly of me. know you love me. knew you would not speak. Oh, my darling, never leave me! Will you promise it? Never for day, for an hour. Paul! Paulr'-MacRae E. Mar low in Drake's Magazine.