Connecticut western news., 1892-09-22
CANAANCONN, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 22. 1892

 wagon. And dressmakers and milli- ners they will talk, you know, though I'm told Miss Hal took great pains to hide it."
 ''Did she?" Aside: "The darlingp0 "And fine woman she is, colonel" !" offciously added Jonas, as he pushed in the last iron clamped trunk. "A very fine woman, considerin her age. I won- der she ain't married long ago" Colonel Blesson opened his sleepy black eyes wide.
 "Why, man, who in the world are you talking about?"
 "Why, Miss Hal Hartford, to be sure" ]"
 "Miss Halcyon or Miss Halliana?"
 "There aint no Miss Halliana," said Jonas. "They're both the same name, but we calls the aunt Miss Hal and the niece Miss Halcyon. My daughter, she's lady's maid there, and I'd orter know, if any one does."
 "And which of them is it that is go- ing to be married?' breathlessly queried Blesson.
 "Why, the old un, in course! Beg pardonw hurriedly added Jonas, "1 mean Miss Hal.t Polly, she tells me there's twenty-four different gownds or dered, let alone the jackets and parasols and ten button kid gloves fit to make your hair stand on end"
 "And Miss Halcyon-the young lady" cried the colonel; "she is engaged toop'
 "Not as any one knows on. That all, colonel? Got your telescope bag? Then we'd better be movin."
 Colonel Blesson pondered seriously all the way up to Hartford Cedars, oblivious of Jonas incessant streams of talk. Could it be possible? No; that was utter nonsensel And yet"- He strained his eyes as he approached the house. Surely golden haired Hal cyon would be there, smiling, to meet himl
 But no. In her place stood middle aged charmer, rouged and powdered, with hair gleaming meretriciously and teeth just size too large for thin tipped mouth.
 In one hand she held his love- breath ing letter, in the other his photograph. And during that second her heart sank like lead. He did not know-ah, how much more difficult would it have been to bear had he knownl-that Halcyon .Hartford's eyes were surreptitiously watching him from the honeysuckle garlanded easement beyond. "Dear Charles" the elderly damsel said, "you are here at lastp' He set his teeth, drew one long breath and allowed her to slip caressing hand through his arm and lead him into the house, muttering some hoarse acknowl. edgment of her coquettish smiles. 'Pve brought this upon myself" he thought, "and I must endure it. The lady is not to blame-no. she is not to blame."
 "He is a hero." Halcyon thought "yes, hero" And then she burst into passion oi tears and ran up stairs to her room.
 "But now I've got you fairly here, lisped Aunt Hal, more determinedly youthful than ever. "I'm really afraid dearest Charles, that there's a great dis appointment in store for you" "EhP'
 The young man had sat down in g rather listless manner. Aunt Hal held onto his hand, still all teeth and smiles
 "And l may as well tell you at once, said she, "that I'm already engaged tC Judge Flostroy, of the superior court | Of course, if I had known of your at tachment in time, there's no saying"--
 "Oh, pray don't let me interfere witt any existing arrangements" said Bles son, jumping up eagerly. Perhaps un | la.- os. o%o, 1o% have my photograph back" Just then there came ring at tn, door below as the maid announced: | "Judge Flostpoy, miss, if you please. Before the slow and ponderous step | of the approaching visitor could reacl the room Aunt Hal had thrust the photo | graph into Blossoms hand. | "A-hem-mr' sonorously coughed tn, luminary of the superior court. | Aunt Hal tripped smilingly forward.
 "Glad to see you, judge" she cooed ''This is my old playmate, Colonel Bles son, just arrived from India. l dar say, colonel, you'll find Halcyon some | where about the house."
 Disposed of in short order, muttere, | Colonel Blesson. "Great heavensl wha have done to deserve such luck?"
 Two hours afterward the young lover sat on the veranda watching the evenin, stars rise over the hills, while the judge basso profundo voice still rolled in tn sitting room like distant thunder.
 "But wasn't it narrow escape? gasped the young colonel, holding tn girls slim hands in his.
 "Would you really have married her? Halcyon asked.
 "As a gentleman there was no escap for me, under the circumstances.
 "But would you really have marrie herr"
 ''Yes, I wouldp' with sternly set teet and knitted brows.
 ''Then I'll marry you, Colonel BleS son" whispered Halcyon, "because yo are a genuine hero, and because" wit an arch glance, 'I really think you nee
 8 wife to take charge of you"
 After the episode of today" said CO
 onel Blesson, II really think I do."-
 New York Evening Sun.
 Alexander's Death Mask.
 When Hamlet said that Alexande | died A1exan3er was b11ried AIexapde