Connecticut western news., 1895-06-20
SOUL FRIENDS.

ically," slIe explained to her cousin Tom. She was telling him, because he was the only person she knew to whom she could talk with absolute freedom | The fact that Tom loved her did not in- terfere with their friendship. She made a business of forgetting all about Tom's love. She had happy faculty for for l getting everything she wanted to forget | ''He is little, round shouldered and not the least bit in the world handsome, but, oh, how my soul goes out to him" she sighed.
 | ''Tom, dear" she went on after lit tie, touching her cousins cheek caress- ingly, "do you believe in reincarna- tion?''
 "I've never thought about it, Tom answered. That touch of Sada's hand had made his heart beat wildly in spite | of her frequent assurance that her ca resses were only given him in sisterly way.
 | "Hendrick and I must have been twins in another life. How else could i we have known each other so we'll from the first?" Sada unused.
 "And when are you going to marry him?" asked Tom in a husky voice, which he tried to make sound matter of fact
 Sada looked at him pathetioally. | How can you, Tom? I should think I you would know I did not mean any, thing of that sort I'm disappointed in you. Tom. Such a thing as marriage has never been mentioned between Hen- drick and me and never will bel''
 Tom was silent moment, then in- quired in hesitating way, as if he were not quite sure how she would take his question:
 Did you ever pat his cheek as you did mine moment ago?" A rush of color came into Sada's face. "Of course not, " she answered en- phatioally. "I'm not given to doing such things. Only there is something about your silly old face that tempts me when l am with you, but with Hen- driok it is different It is his soul that 1 care for.
 Toms first expression of relief was followed by one of mournfulness. What if Sada did speak in this way now? Of | course she would be betrothed soon to the man whose soul had attracted hers.
 A season passed, during which daily letters were exchanged between the soul friends AS the hour approached for them to meet again Sada could hardly wait for it.
 ''Tom, dear, I am so happyl I have been counting even the minutes," Sada said, when her faithful cousin put her in the car that was to take her to Sum- mer Vale Springs, the trysting place.
 Aunt Lucy was slightly indisposed yesterday, and I almost killed her with attention for fear she would not be able to travel today" she added. "Now, kiss me, Tom, and hurry away, or you may be carried off when the train starts. ''
 When Tom stood on the platform be- side her window, she cried out:
 ''Smilel How dare you look solemn, you selfish boy, when I'm so happy?"
 The journey was very trying. She couldn't read, and there was no Tom to talk to. Aunt Lucy was no company. She was too poor a traveller.
 When Summer Vale Springs was reached, the soul brother was at the depot to help Sada off. She gazed jeal- ously into his face, but did not tell him how she had counted the hours. .
 Then began those delightful talks and walks. So much new music had to be oonned, so many new books discussed. One day Sada made an .un usually be- coming toilet and asked Hendrick eau tiously how she looked. He studied he1 attentively. and she found herself wait. . ing breathlessly for his answer. That night she wrote to poor, long suffering Tom: "Our friendship-Hen. drick's and mine-is more ideal than ever. Itis so soul satisfying And Ton sighed as he said to himself, "She will , tell me of her engagement in her nex letter. "
 At the end of the first week Sada sait to Hendrick: "1 am making the most of my time ] getting all of your life that can. Soo1 you will tell your love to one of th' many girls who cross your path, an( she may object to our friendship.' Al she listened for his answer her heart al most ceased to beat
 'No." Hendrick said slowly, "I don ' think shall It is probable that I shal never marry"
 That night Sada cried herself to sleep t: The next morning she tried to find ou why she had cried.
 ''It is because I am a woman, ant women arc senseless about some things, she told herself furiously.
 A few days later Alice Baudret ar rived at the Springs. Hendrick remark ed that she was one of the most beauti !. ful girls he had ever seen. A dreadful pain shot through Sada's heart, and sh fell into the clutches of the demon jeal ousy for the first time in her life. Sh had never liked Alice, voting her '' stupid" but now she cultivated her sc ciety assiduously, to the great deligh of the fair girl, who had always longe to be more intimate with "clever Mis q Sada."
 One day Hendrick and Alice wer discovered rehearsing vocal duet fror a piece of sheet music belonging Sada. For awhile Sada felt moved to Alice some serious injury, but instea she simply burned the printed SCOT
 when next she could lay hands upon i
 II wonder if could wound Hendric
 as he wounds me?" Sada unused oI 1t evening, and then and there resolved r put the matter to the test with the fir } attractive newcomer at the Springs. 1T
 necessary victim arrived in the persc
 of Frederic West, one of Hendrick's s O.
 and tried friends.
 West was an Adonis, and admiratiC | was lavished on him everywhere, b. 10 he fell into the trap Sada laid for hir
 and no wonder. Sada was noted for b
 powers of fascination. The Springs sa