Connecticut western news., 1894-09-06

En yolth'e, s1l yous pla1tf was heard
 The sum demanded by the officer add ed to what they had paid in purchase would have made the lace the dearest that ever was bought They tore of their bonnets, pulled out innumerable pins, set free the f1chus, founces, etc, put them into the officers hands and ran to their seats Out of breath and out of pocket, they were most unhappy. Successful cheating is one thing, but unsuccessful cheating is another and causes sharp bangs of conscience.
 "Too badi" cried Melissa as the train moved on. We were entitled to what we wore"
 "It was that German" said Annora He understood English He heard what we said. He told the official Oh, a man may grin and grin and be will lainl" ....
 They groaned over their misfortune The first time the train stopped the will lain entered their compartment, still grinning. They glared at him, but he still grinned They took refuge in si- lence He began to speak:
 Ladies'" he said in Londonese Eng fish, T was very sorry to have to incur your displeasure, but I felt that it was my duty to report you at the douane You had innocently told me all about the lace on your bonnets, and for the credit of our country, for the sake of English honesty, was constrained to point out your bonnets to that official Can you forgive me?"
 tNo" said Annora
 But Melissa thought that, notwith- standing his wicked cruelty, there was something very pleasant in his smile
 '.I entreat your forgiveness, ladies; more, I humbly ask favor. "
 "Sir?" exclaimed Annora
 Miss Wylie, Miss Annora Wyhe''- the presuming wretch had seen their names on their luggage. even their Christian names-''you will confer a great favor on me if you will tell me your address. "
 Annora reddened; Melissa blushed Perhaps he was ashamed of the cruel part he had played and was about to offer an apology; perhaps their brave and gentle endurance of misfortune had touched him; perhaps their charms had so won upon him that he wished to see more of them, with view to-their suppositions broke off rapidly.
 Annora looked at Melissa, and Melissa looked at Annora. Then the elder sister spoke "We live at 113 Angelina gar dens, Edwin square, South Kensington, S w"
 The stranger made note of the ad- dress. Melissa was on the point of ask ing his name when he said abruptly, "You shall hear from me. Then he discoursed on the country through which they were passing, after which he buried himself in Figaro and talked no more. At the next stoppage he said brusque Good morning, ladies, and left the compartment, and they saw no more of him.
 There was a considerable flutter in the breast of Melissa, who was of a roman tic turn of mind, and who could only imagine one reason why this stranger should want her address She still be- lieved that he was German who spoke English remarkably we'll, and she had seen that he was not gentleman; she therefore made up her mind to refuse the offer of marriage which no doubt he would shortly make. Arrived in Angelina gardens, the Misses Wylie were occupied in arrang ing the household, and couple of husy days were spent by them. On the third | day after their home coming they re ceived by the same post parcel and c letter. Annora opened the carefully tie6 and sealed parcel, while Melissa read the letter. Having read it once to her. | self, she next read it aloud to her sister MEsDAMEs-I felt myself under very grea I obligation to you the other day at Blandain. l am a very thin man, but I was swathed round l with hundreds of yards of fine Brussels lace | and thought that the best way of drawing I the attention of the custom house officers from self defense that directed the raid on youl | bonnets. Having been the cause of the loss o l your lace, wish to make you due compensa | lace than that which you lost am obedient l lyyours, YOUR SToUr FELLOW TRAVELLER. Melissa took possession Of blacl I lace flounce and Annora of dozen yard! of white lace and lace edged handker chief, and they quite forgave the stou German for his cruelty and for his stout ness. .-F. Bayard Harrison in Strand | Magazine.