Connecticut western news., 1897-02-11
IN POSSESSION.

"hab ed Mrs. Fielding. gazing at her daugh- ter with wide open eyes.
 "very extraordinary" agreed Ethel. "I never heard of such thing in my lifer'
 1T should hope notl'' returned Mrs. Fielding. "What would your poor, dear father have said if, during his lifetime, a young man had come to propose for your hand, and, on being refused by you, had expressed his intention of stay ing in the house until you accepted him? I've not even read in novels'' (with fine touch of scorn) "of such a preposterous notion. Did he-did-did he seem firm about it, my dear?'
 "Frightfully, Ethel assured her "frightfully firm, and you should just see what chin he has It would make three of mine"
 "what did you say?' asked Mrs Fielding.
 What could sayr I've already told you everything. I met him, as you know, at the nt-Mainwarings and after our first introduction saw him almost every day during the fol- lowing month. The night before came home he proposed to me, and I-well, you know what said. He then declared his intention of asking me again every six months and didn't seem to care in the least when I assured him that my answer would be just the same, however many times he asked me. We'll, it is exactly six months today since the-the first time told him that couldn't hink of marrying him.
 "And he expressed his intention of staying herein this house-till you said, 'Yes?'" put in Mrs. Fielding.
 Ethel nodded.
 Then was Mrs. Fielding's deci sion, i've must send for the police"
 "Oh, no-no-no-nop' calculated Ethel springing up. Please don't do that. He's sure to go. He-he's very gentlemanly, mother, and I'm sure he'l behave himself if he does stop. Besides if he fought the lpolicemen-and I'm iure he would fight-there'd be such a scandalp'
 Yes, Mrs Fielding agreed that the flair would give Market Norbury a months food for little tattle if the 'trong arm of the law were to intervene.
 "I will see the young person myselfp' acclaimed the elder lady majestically.
 Don't be harsh, mother, said Ethel blushing little, "because, after all, YOU know he's"-
 "Head over heels in love with youp Of course," rejoined Mrs. Fielding. Of course he is. If he weren't. hould suspect him of having evil de- igns on the plate. Leave him to me, 2thell"
 So saying. Mrs Fielding swept mag lificently into the drawing room.
 But severe as was her tone and stern fer mien Dick Waterbury declined to judge. He apologized for the gross rude oss of his decision, but nevertheless re- .sed to spike his guns and retire. Dur
 z the altercation Mrs. Fielding dis overed that he was young gentleman 25, with an ample income, and a nall country seat that stood sadly in eed of some one to look after it.
 Twenty minutes later Mrs. Fielding returned to her daughter
 My reasoning had no effect on him whatever" she informed Ethel; "none whatever. I suppose he must remain. He may be in a more sensible frame of mind in the morning. Don't let the servants know anything about the real state of things, but pretend that we have invited him to stay here and say his luggagqwill arrive in due course. '' The result was: CD That MT. Rich. I'd Waterbury gained his point and taid at Pleasant View. (2) That only | nis fixed determination to win Ethel Fielding would have led him to take such a desperate step. (3) That Ethel by no means deceived the maternal judg nent when she expressed herself indig | nantly about Dick and his resolution l (She let slip his name-Dick-sev eral times unthinkingly.) (4) That i was the general opinion in the kitche1 that the gentleman who had come & uddenly-without any luggage-was 1 'man in possession. (5) That he seem l ed to the kitchen 8 very well dressed man in possession. (6) That the gentle man immediately sat down and wrote long letter, which was given to tn housemaid to post. CD That he wired t another address for some clothes. (8 That the letter was addressed to MT John Blunt. Friar's Court, Temple London. (9) That, in the opinion of tn kitchen. "Friar's Court sounded like low place for any gentleman's friend to live in.
 
 Dick Waterbury had been with tn Fieldings week and still showed Il signs of departing from his resolution He had soon made himself at home; had broken the ice over the dinner tabl during the first night of his stay. Mrs Fielding and her daughter had opene the ball by treating him with frigid pt ; liteness; but Dick had pretended not notice their manner, and rattled on S gayly that he effectually dispersed th cold barrier which the ladies had a tempted to place between themselve and their self invited guest.
 After dinner he regaled them wit comic songs, anecdotes and news of tl day which had failed to penetrate the fastnesses of Market Norbury. very agreeable did he make himself, il deed, that by bedtime he had quite we Mrs Fielding over to his side. Eth
 kept very close to her mother all u
 evening, he noticed, and would neith' }. play nor sing, although she could (
 both very nicely. On the following ds