Connecticut western news., 1899-10-05

tiful conservatory, and saw such love- | ly flaming passion flowers and the great creamy magnolia blossoms, and, dear me, I can't tell you of all the lovely things
 "Then I walked down the road to meet you, and was so tired that sat down on the fence to rest. "Oh, papa, don't you wish we lived | in such a nice place as the hanf It is such a grand old mansion.
 She was suddenly stopped by seeing gentleman approaching from the op- posite side of the road.
 s'Mr. Ray, I believe"
 The judge bowed.
 Agent for the St. Leon placef" "Yes, sir. |"
 'I came to see you in regard to it, and"-
 And you are MT. St. Leon's con- ndential clerk, MT. Hartleyi I believe I received letter from him today in- forming me that you would arrive this week. Yes, yes; come right up to the house, and we will talk over the repairs Shall we begin them immediately
 "Whatl My letter but just arrivedi SingularI'
 "Papa, you don't mean to say you have brought him home-a confidential clerkf You know there are the best rooms to be papered and cleaned and our pink dresses to be made against Herbert St. Leon's arrival" But, my dear" began the old gen tleman, ''just like your papa to never think of this at all. ''
 "Well, shall see that he is put in the little room over the kitchen. He will never know the difference" and Blanche sank back in studied attitude on the sofa, wondering if handsome Bert St. Leon would fancy her lovely pink morning dress that she had made for his special benefit. for of course he would stop at their house during the time in which the repairs were being made at the hall.
 The door of the dining room was ajar, and MT. Hartley, standing before the fire in the little parlor, heard it all
 This, then, was the welcome home that the wanderer received after roam ing five years in distant cline. The tears glistened in his lashes and bright drop fell to his hand.
 "Mr. Confidential Clerk, you are cry ing," and Lizzie pushed the white kit ten from her lap and came over to his side, laying her dimpled hand on his arm. "I am sorry you heard them, but never mind; I'll be your friend"
 "Your friendship is very dear to me, my little girl"
 'I'm not little girl was 1s last week. !"
 Pardon me, young lady, but can you tell me something of the hall what sort of place is itf''
 "Oh, it is a grand old place, with great stone porticoes, and marble man. tels carved to represent gods and god desses, and the ceiling all frescoed in blue and gold sunsets, and a big con- flaming cact Ises and orange trees with real oranges on them. Oh, it's so nice, so nicep'
 "Lizzie, Lizzie, you are talking far more than is necessary. Go to your French immediately.
 And as the abashed damsel obeyed he heard Blanche say;
 Dignity on the family Nothing but confidential clerk"
 And Lizzie exclaimed:
 "I don't care. I like him.
 A month had passed by. Mir. Hartley had exchanged his close apartments over the kitchen for more commodious ones at the village inn. Thence he calm ly superintended the projected improve ments at the hall, and all the gossip exchanged between himself and Lizzie was in the course of her rambles through the St. Leon woods, and if the family had only known how often these ram- bles were taken their aristocratic tend encies would have been tearfully shocked.
 And now MT. Hartley sat in the same little parlor where Lizzie had first vowed to be his friend and awaited the appearance of the judge.
 He came at last.
 "You wish to see me, Mir. Hartleyf"
 "Yes. sir. I came to ask you for the hand of your daughter, your little Liz gle. I love her more than my life, Judge Ray"
 "You cannot have heri No, sir I look for something higher for my daughter than a confidential clerk. If that is all, bid you good evening""
 Next night the judge rode slowly home to dinner, feeling 8 presentiment of evil
 Where Is Lizzief" he inquired of Blanche as he entered the cozy dining room.
 "In her room, I suppose, mourning after her dear clerk.
 "Well, call her to dinner, child.
 Blanche went, but returned immedi- ately with pale, frightened face.
 ''She is not there, papa, but this note lay on her table"
 The judge broke the seal and read. with a face that had grown suddenly pale:
 By the time that you read these words, dearest papa, your little Lizzie will be another's- shall be married to Mir. Hartley. I hope it is not wrong, for indeed do love him very much"
 As he folded the note with stern fea- lures light step crossed the threshold, and Lizzie's arms were around his neck. the confidential clerk standing at A-ank-xith-A-ks -ksss -MA0a~z11a.A1